The Notice of Election for the local council elections has been published. (updated 6 May 2026)
- The council has now entered pre-election period
- Harrow residents will vote to elect 55 councillors across 22 wards
Residents of Harrow are being urged to participate in local elections taking place on Thursday 7 May.
Harrow will elect 55 councillors across 22 wards who will represent residents’ interests for the next four years and make decisions affecting the lives of more than 270,000 people in the borough.
Councillors make decisions that affect everyday life, including services such as bins, schools, parks, roads, transport, social care and much more. Taking part in the election is your opportunity to have a say in who represents your local area and how services are run.
Visit our elections page to read the notice of election and for further information about the local council elections.
Key dates
- Thursday 7 May - Polling day
- Emergency Proxy applications, 5pm
- Friday 8 May - Election count and result
What is pre-election period?
During this time the council must stay politically neutral — so you won’t see posts from us that could influence how people vote. We’ll continue sharing essential service updates only.
A short guide to publicity during the pre-election period | Local Government Association
Postal voting
If voting by post, we must receive your postal vote by 10pm, Thursday 7 May for it to be counted. So please remember to post giving plenty of time.
If you cannot post your postal vote in time, you can take it to a local polling station - this must be in Harrow.
There is a limit on how many postal votes you can hand in at a local polling station. You can only hand in your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people.
If handing in any postal votes you will also need to complete a short form.
Polling station
There are 130 polling station across Harrow. Yours will be at a short walking distance from you. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May.
Your polling letter (also known as a poll card) will tell you which polling station to go to. You can only vote at the polling station location in your letter. You can also check your polling station online.
You must bring a physical copy of your photo ID with you to the polling station. You don’t need to bring your polling letter, but it makes it easier for staff to find you on the electoral register.
Not received your polling letter? You can double-check that you're registered to vote by emailing elections@harrow.gov.uk
Voter ID
If voting in person, you will need to show a physical form of photo ID at the polling station. There are several accepted forms of ID, including:
-
Passport
- Driving licence
- Multiple concessionary travel passes
- PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Blue badge
- Voter Authority Certificate
You will be able to use expired ID if you are still recognisable from the photo, but it still must be one of these approved forms.
Remember, no ID means no vote.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find out about candidates?
Read the list of all candidates online.
Is there anything I shouldn’t do in a polling station?
We ask voters not to stay in the polling station longer than necessary or chat to other voters, especially about politics. You must not take pictures in a polling station, including of your own ballot paper.
What happens if I make a mistake on my ballot paper?
If you make a mistake, cross out the vote that you did not want to cast and mark the correct candidate. As long as your vote is clear, it will be counted. If it is not clear, you can get another ballot paper, providing the one marked in error doesn’t go in the ballot box.
Go back to the desk where your ballot was issued and tell the polling staff you’ve made a mistake and need a new ballot paper. Your spoilt ballot paper will be put in a separate envelope, so it can be accounted for later, but not counted.
Are polling stations accessible?
Yes, all our polling stations are wheelchair accessible – some may have a separate ramped entrance that will be signposted. All have a low voting booth and aids to help visually impaired voters. If you need any assistance, staff at your polling station will be happy to help.
You can request reasonable adjustments at your polling station by completing this form.
Do I have to give my voter number to a teller outside my polling station?
No. Tellers are party representatives who help to assess turnout. They are recognised within the electoral process but are not an official part of it. Tellers should identify which party they represent and are permitted to ask only for voter numbers (as printed on polling cards). They can approach the voter on entering or leaving the polling station.
I forgot to post my postal vote in time – can it still be counted?
If you have an unreturned postal vote, it's not too late to vote. You can hand your completed ballot in at any polling station in in Harrow before 10pm.
You can only return the postal votes of up to five other people plus your own. You'll also need to complete a postal vote return form.
When does the count take place?
The count will start on Friday 8 May with the results expected late afternoon the same day.
When will the results be announced?
Declarations will be made from the afternoon of Friday 8 May. You can follow the action live and get all the results first by following the council’s Facebook Page the news section of the website.