London weather: storms may delay EU referendum result coming in, say officials

Londoners turned out to vote today despite torrential rain
PA
Joseph Watts24 June 2016
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Storms expected in London tonight could delay the result of Britain's historic EU referendum, officials have said.

The Electoral Commission warned that torrential rain in the South East could mean ballot papers not reaching counting centres as quickly as they should.

It comes after polling stations were closed in London this morning following a heavy down pour.

Speaking from Manchester Town Hall where the national vote will be declared, a Commission official told the Standard any "uncertainties" at a local level could have a broader effect.

If flooding on roads for example delayed sealed boxes of votes being delivered to counting centres, that would delay the verification of a London regional result.

That in turn would prevent Chief Council Officer Jenny Watson from verifying whether the UK will leave the EU or not.

This morning two polling stations in Kingston-Upon-Thames were closed due to flooding, with replacements opened nearby.

In Bexley officials had to clear a side entrance to a station after the main door was waterlogged.

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