The UK is holding a general election on Thursday, July 4. 

The nationwide vote will lead to the formation of a new UK government for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland for up to five years. 

The last election was held in December 2019. 

Here's what you need to know.

 

What you need to know about the 2024 general election

How many Glasgow constituencies are there and where are they?

There are six constituencies in Glasgow.

They are Glasgow East, Glasgow North, Glasgow North East, Glasgow South, Glasgow South West and Glasgow West.

 

Who can vote in a general election? 

To vote in a general election you must be registered to vote, be 18 or over on the day of the election, be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen and be resident at an address in the UK.

UK citizens living abroad who wish to vote must be registered as an overseas voter. 

Citizens of other countries or convicted prisoners detained in prison cannot vote. 

 

What is the deadline for registering to vote?

The deadline for registering to vote is midnight Tuesday, June 18.

You can register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

 

What happens if I do not register to vote?

You must register to vote if you're asked to do so and meet the conditions for registering. 

If you're asked to register and do not you could be fined £80.

You will not be fined if you have a valid reason for not registering, for example a long stay in hospital, or you have severe learning difficulties. 

 

What is the deadline for candidates to stand?

Nominations for candidates open on Monday, June 3 until Friday, June 7 from 10am to 4pm.

 

Polling day

Do voters need ID?

Yes, you need photo ID to vote in person.

Per the government website, your photo ID must look like you.

You can still use your ID even if it has expired.

 

What photo ID can I use to vote?

You will need one of the following types of photo ID:

  • A UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
  • A driving licence issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands
  • A UK passport
  • A passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
  • A PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
  • A Blue Badge
  • A biometric resident permit (BRP)
  • A Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
  • A national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • A Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
  • A Voter Authority Certificate
  • An Anonymous Elector’s Document

You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID:

  • An older person’s bus pass
  • A disabled person’s bus pass
  • An Oyster 60+ card
  • A Freedom Pass
  • A Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
  • A 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • A Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
  • A Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

 

When will voting open and close?

Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on election day.

 

What do I do if I can’t attend a polling station to vote?

If you are unable to vote in person on July 4, you can apply for a postal vote.

The deadline to apply to get a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday, June 19.

You can also get someone you trust to vote on your behalf with a proxy vote.

You need to apply by 5pm on Wednesday, June 26 to vote by proxy.

You must provide a reason why you cannot vote in person to be able to vote by proxy.

 

When and where will votes be counted?

The counting process can begin when the polls close at 10pm.

Counting may take place overnight after the poll has closed or on the following day.

If the count is taking place overnight, election staff will take the sealed ballot boxes from the polling station to the count centre along with the completed paperwork which records how many ballot papers have been issued.

If the count is not taking place overnight then the ballot boxes will be transported to and stored in a secure location until the count begins.

 

How do I vote?

What is First Past the Post and how does it work?

The voting system used to elect MPs to the UK Parliament is called First Past the Post (FPTP).

The UK is divided into 650 constituencies. On election day, voters receive a ballot paper with a list of candidates for their constituency. As only one MP will represent the area, each party only has one candidate to choose from.

Voters put a cross next to their favourite candidate and the candidate with the most votes becomes MP.

The party with the most MPs will form the new government.