RESIDENTS across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole went to the polls today to cast their votes in the BCP Council elections.

Local and national issues played a part in who they voted for at the 161 polling stations across the authority. 

Moordown resident, Mike Johnson said: “I’ve voted because I want change, I want the Conservatives out of power.”

Residents have been electing 76 councillors from 355 candidates standing for office.

Bournemouth Echo: Sam March outside Winton Methodist Church polling station.

Another resident, 47-year-old Sam March, said she had voted because “working together is what politics should be about, working together for the greater good.”

She said that the key issues for her in her ward, Winton East, were litter, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

Michael O’Connor, 83, agreed, saying: “There are a few local problems that need attention, and I’m certainly hoping the people I’ve voted for will be able to help.

“I suppose the bane of everybody’s life these days is the potholes.”

Bournemouth Echo: Sarah Anderson at Moordown Community Centre polling station.

Candidates were feeling nervous but optimistic today as their campaigning came to an end.

Tory Sarah Anderson, in Moordown ward, said: “I’m the current councillor at the moment, so I’m nervous.

“It’s all in these people coming out and voting really.”

It was a quiet start to the day as polling stations opened at 7am.

However, candidates think there could be a low turnout across the conurbation.

Bournemouth Echo: St Luke's church polling station.

Speaking outside St Luke’s Church, a polling station for the Talbot and Branksome Woods ward, Conservative candidate Jane Newell said she thought the turnout would be “a little bit low”.

“Local elections are always difficult, people might say they’ve had enough,” she said.

“And its coronation weekend, they might quite simply have forgotten. I think it will be lower than normal.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for the ward, Matt Gillett, said he thought the turnout may be around 20 to 25 per cent, but he hoped it would be more.

Bournemouth Echo: Matt Gillett outside the St Luke's church polling station.

Tom Hayes, a parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party in the Bournemouth East ward said he wondered if new legislation concerning ID would impact the turnout.

“I’m intrigued to see what turnout will be, with the new law around photo ID coming in.

“People may have postal voted already.

“At the same time, I think you can sense that desire for change, and I think people are going to turn out in significant numbers both in postal or in person to make sure they can cast their ballot and have their views heard.”

Votes will be counted from around 12pm on Friday with ward results declared from mid-afternoon, according to the council.