15.11.12
Police and Crime Commissioner elections today
Polls are open today for the first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections for England and Wales, for everyone outside London.
Voting will take place from 7am-10pm in 41 police force areas.
PCCs will replace police authorities and the move is designed to make the police more accountable, with a single figurehead monitoring and ensuring performance, the Government says.
Those elected will set out local policing priorities, set out their force budget and spending plans, have the power to hire and fire chief constables and report annually on progress. PCCs are likely to be paid between £65,000 and £100,000 a year, although the Government says the new model will cost no more than the current set-up.
Labour and the Conservatives are fielding candidates in all 41 force areas. The Liberal Democrats are not centrally supporting candidates but have not barred their members from standing. Lib Dems and members of the UK Independence Party are standing in just over half of seats.
Results from the elections are expected on Friday and the new PCCs will assume office from November 22.
Also today, three Parliamentary by-elections are being held, alongside the election to choose the directly-elected Mayor of Bristol – the only city that voted yes in a referendum earlier this year to move to the new system.
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Image c. Lee J Haywood