Polling stations open for Greater Manchester mayoral election

Polling stations across Greater Manchester have opened in a mayoral election that was triggered when Andy Burnham resigned as the city region's mayor.MPs are not permitted to be mayor, meaning Burnham had to stand down after his success in last month's Makerfield parliamentary by-election. His election as an MP paved the way for him becoming prime minister earlier this month.Voters are now choosing which candidate they would like to represent them as mayor of Greater Manchester and leader of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00. The results are due to be announced on Friday.Here is a list - in alphabetical order, by surname - of the seven candidates who are standing in the mayoral election:Sian Astley, Reform UKGeraldine Coggins, Green PartyBev Craig, LabourPhil Eckersley, ConservativeMarcus Farmer, IndependentRichard Kilpatrick, Liberal DemocratsMarlon West, Restore BritainThe election will be decided using the supplementary vote (SV) system - meaning voters can choose to select both a first- and second-choice candidate.If nobody wins more than 50% of the initial vote, all but the two highest-polling candidates are knocked out of the race.The second choices of those who voted for the other candidates are then reallocated.Whichever of the top two candidates ends up with the most votes after this "run-off" round is then declared the winner.The location of your nearest polling station can be found on your polling card, or by searching on your local council website.