Saturday 09 May 2015 10:15 am

General Election 2015 turnout: Parties hail record number of voters

Exit polls suggest record numbers of people voted in the General Election, as party leaders urged supporters to show their support in an attempt to swing the balance of power.

Figures indicated there was a 66.1 per cent turnout in the election, according to the BBC.

Right up to the final day of campaigning, polls indicated the vote would result in a hung parliament, causing party leaders to sweep the nation in last-ditch attempts to rally any remaining votes. In the event however the conservatives won 331 seats, enough for a majority.

In 2010 65.1 per cent of people voted, up from 61.4 per cent in 2005. These numbers had bounced back from a record low turnout in 2001, of 59.4 per cent – the lowest since the end of World War One.

High turnout was predicted by many Twitter users as they tweeted about the queues they had experienced.

Many ballot stations experienced higher demand people went to vote after work, with large queues forming in some constituencies. Those standing in the queue by 10.00pm should all be able to vote.

A few minutes ago there was a long queue at the Viaduct Road #Brighton polling station (longer queue inside) pic.twitter.com/Gp0934QzJ9

— Andy Winter (@AndyWinterBN1) May 7, 2015