THERE are just two hours left before the polls close in today’s general election, which has been labelled the most significant in decades.

In Okehampton’s constituency of Central Devon, the seven candidates vying for votes are Mel Mel Stride (Conservatives), Lisa Robillard Webb (Labour), Alex White (Liberal Democrats), Tim Matthews (UKIP), Andy Williamson (Green Party), Lloyd Knight (Liberal Party) and John Dean (National Health Action Party).

Polling stations are open until 10pm so don’t forget to vote.

In the 2015 general election, the constituency had a 74.9% voter turnout, much higher than the 66% average. Current Conservative MP Mel Stride secured 52.2% of the vote, marginally higher than the percentage he secured in 2010. He is expected to safely hold on to his seat.

When the election was called, the Conservatives were firmly expected to consolidate their majority in the House of Commons in a comfortable landslide victory, though as election day has come nearer, a variety of polls are struggling to come to a consensus on a definitive outcome. However, the Conservatives are widely expected to win the most seats, though pundits are still uncertain on whether they will retain Theresa May’s majority in the House of Commons.

After the polls close at 10pm, the ballot boxes will be shipped off to Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton for the count, which is expected to go on until the early hours of Friday morning.

Tom French from the Times editorial team will attend the count for Central Devon, updating the Okehampton Times Facebook and Twitter pages with the latest throughout the night.