Figures show turnout up to 64.6%

After results in 192 of the UK's 650 constituencies had been announced, national turnout stood at 64.6%
12 April 2012

Turnout in General Election voting has increased this year after a high-profile election campaign, leaving hundreds of people unable to vote as polling stations struggled to cope with demand.

After results in 192 of the UK's 650 constituencies had been announced, national turnout stood at 64.6%, up from 61.4% in 2005 and 59.4% in 2001.

Returning officers in many parts of the country, including London, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, were taken by surprise by the extra numbers wanting to take part in the election.

There were widespread reports of voters facing long queues outside polling stations only to be turned away as ballots closed at 10pm.

In other areas election staff ran out of ballot papers and electors had to wait until fresh ones were delivered - or give up on exercising their democratic rights.

In 2005 the lowest turnout recorded on the night was 41.5% in Liverpool Riverside.

This year neighbouring Liverpool Wavertree - which had a turnout of just 50.8% at the last election - saw some polling stations run out of ballot papers because of "unprecedented and unexpected" numbers of people wanting to vote.

Turnout still looked set to be significantly lower than in 1997, when 71.4% of the electorate voted as Labour were swept to power with a landslide victory.

There was speculation that the problems might have been worse at polling stations in areas with large student populations because more young people voted this year.

One poll suggested that the turnout among the young was as low as 37% in 2005 so this would be an encouraging trend.

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