ALMOST two million voters have the chance to go to the polls tomorrow and elect the first mayor of Greater Manchester.

More than 1,400 polling stations across the region will be open from 7am until 10pm for people to cast their vote.

The count for all 10 Greater Manchester local authority areas, and the declaration of the winning candidate, will take place at Manchester Central Convention Complex on Friday.

This election uses the Supplementary Voting System, which gives electors the opportunity to cast their vote for their first and second choice candidates.

If no candidate gets more than 50 per cent of first choice votes, there will be a second count in which the two candidates with the most first choice votes remain in the running and all other candidates are eliminated from the contest.

Any second choice votes for the two remaining candidates will then be added to their first choice totals and the candidate who has the highest overall total will be declared the winner.

Eight candidates are vying for the votes — Andy Burnham, Sean Anstee, Jane Brophy, Shneur Odze, Will Patterson, Stephen Morris, Marcus Farmer, and Mohammad Aslam.

People can find the location of their polling station on their poll card but if they do not know it they can check with the election office based at their local council.

You do not need to have your poll card with you to be able to vote, but it does save time if you do.

Anyone who has requested a postal vote but left it too late to post their ballot pack can still drop it off at any polling station in their local council area, or their local elections office, on the day.

Combined Authority Returning Officer, Eamonn Boylan, said: “This is an historic election to choose an elected Mayor of Greater Manchester.

“We want to make sure that no one who wants to participate misses out.”

The mayor will have significant powers over issues such as planning, transport, the fire service, and will chair the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The responsibilities of the Greater Manchester police and crime commissioner will be merged with those of the mayor and the former position will cease to exist.