‘Just vote’ is the message to the public from two men with busy nights ahead as the general and local elections are decided.

Polling stations open in a few minutes’ time – at 7am – and will remain so until 10pm tonight as voters will help determine who will hold the power at national and local levels of democracy.

And returning officers which will oversee counts in Stevenage and North Herts are urging those who are registered to vote to make use of their democratic right.

Nick Parry from Stevenage Borough Council said: “One of the benefits of living in a democratic society is being able to exercise your right to vote in elections.

“No vote is a wasted vote and these elections are a chance for you to have your say on who you want to represent you in government.

“Voting only takes a few minutes so I would encourage everyone who is eligible to vote to do so and have their say on which party they want in power.”

North Herts District Council’s chief executive David Scholes echoed those comments while reminding votes that seats on the district council, as well as in the House of Commons, are at stake.

He added: “We hope that there will be a good turnout at the polls today and that if you have requested a postal vote that these have been returned in good time.

“It is important to have your say and vote in both local and national elections.”

The Comet will have reporters at the heart of the action at a number of the counts, posting results online as they are confirmed.

Hitchin & Harpenden – which is having its count in St Albans – could be the first seat in the area to be announced, although organisers say the result could come through anytime from 2am through to 5am.

Mid Beds is due between 3am and 4am, while North East Herts is expected between 3.30am and 4am. No time has been estimated for North East Beds.

The constituency of Stevenage has been earmarked as a key Conservative and Labour battleground as the two parties bid for power and could be the last parliamentary result due in.

The count could conclude at about 4am but a recount is not out of the question.

Local elections counts take place tomorrow afternoon – visit our website for the results as they come in.

• To find your nearest polling station, candidate profiles and the latest results click on our dedicated election section. You can also keep up with the action live using the #Cometelections hashtag and following @thecomet24 on Twitter.