Bicycles will be swapped for ballot boxes as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park plays host to the election races next week.

The velodrome, which is part of Lee Valley VeloPark, will be used as the verification and count centre for the mayoral and council elections.

Votes cast at 126 polling stations across the borough on Thursday, May 22, will be tallied up on Friday, May 23.

The winner of the mayoral race is expected to be announced at around 1pm, with prospective councillors being told if they are successful at around 6pm.

Kim Bromley-Derry, Newham Council’s chief executive and returning officer, said: “May 22 is going to be a very busy time for voters in Newham with residents making their choices in three elections on the same day.

“It is important that everyone has a say in who is elected.

“We are excited about being able to use Lee Valley VeloPark’s velodrome as our count centre.

“It fits our needs because we needed a venue large enough to be able to verify all ballot papers after the polls have closed and then count votes cast in the local and mayoral election races.”

Eight candidates have registered to try and become Newham’s directly elected mayor, while the council elections will see 208 candidates contest 60 seats spread across 20 wards, with three councillors elected in each.

In addition, voters will be able to participate in the European elections and the selection of MEPs to represent London.

The count for that election will take place at Newham Town Hall on Sunday, May 25.

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