Armchair election

ONLINE FOLLOW THE COUNTS AS THEY HAPPEN AT IRISH TIMES.COM: 10pm Polling stations close

ONLINE FOLLOW THE COUNTS AS THEY HAPPEN AT IRISH TIMES.COM: 10pmPolling stations close. Exit polls will be released shortly afterwards.

10.45First result due. The honour should go to one of the northeast seats in Labour's heartland.

11.25 SUNDERLAND CENTRALexpected. The Tories need a 13 per cent swing so the result may offer a guide to what David Cameron will get nationally.

12.30 BIRMINGHAM EDGBASTONLabour's Gisela Stuart (right) is battling here. The Conservatives need just a 2 per cent swing, so if she survives, or is defeated narrowly, it may offer hope to Gordon Brown.

READ MORE

1.00 BATTERSEA, LONDONHere Labour's Martin Linton is defending a tiny majority and the Conservatives need just a 0.4 per cent swing. A "must have" for Cameron, and the swing will offer a guide to his later fortunes in the capital.

TORBAYLiberal Democrat Adrian Sanders's vote has been falling and a 3 per cent swing to the Conservatives would end his career. A useful guide to the state of the battle between Cameron and Nick Clegg,

VALE OF CLYWD, WALESThe Conservatives have nibbled away at Chris Ruane's Labour majority over the last two elections, but still require a 7.1 per cent swing. If they get it, the UK could be looking at a Conservative government.

1.30 BURNLEYLabour has been affected by the MPs' expenses scandal. Outgoing MP Kitty Ussher is standing down. Liberal Democrat Gordon Birtwistle needs a 7.4 per cent swing. If he wins, the Liberal Democrats could be in line for significant gains from Labour in the north of England.

1.45 GUILDFORDThe No 1 target for the Liberal Democrats with just a 0.1 per cent swing needed. They lost the seat to the Tories in 2005. Again, it will offer an insight into the Liberal Democrat/Tory contest.

2.00 ANGUS, SCOTLANDCameron needs a 2.1 per cent swing to remove the Scottish National Party here.

ROCHDALEDid the Gillian Duffy "bigot" controversy affect Labour's vote in a heartland district? This result will tell a lot. The Liberal Democrats badly want this one.

TOOTINGLabour minister Sadiq Khan faces a major Tory challenge. If he falls, Labour is in serious trouble.

3.00 MORLEY AND OUTWOODWill schools secretary Ed Balls provide the 2010 "Portillo" moment, or will he fend off the challenge of the Conservatives?

LUTON SOUTHMargaret Moran was the MP and had to stand down because of her expenses. Esther Rantzen standing here.

LUTON NORTHIf Conservative Jeremy Briers wins here, Cameron will have defied polling predictions and be set to romp home.

4.00 BARKINGHas Labour's Margaret Hodge survived the challenge of the British National Party's Nick Griffin?

4.30 BUCKINGHAMCommons speaker John Bercow faces a challenge from UK Independence Party candidate Nigel Farage.

Derby North: If the Conservatives win here with Stephen Mold, Cameron will enter Downing Street with a majority.

Filton and Bradley Stoke: A three-way marginal. Will tell much about Liberal Democrat fortunes and the impact of calls for tactical voting

5.00 CHORLEYHeld by winning party in every election since 1964. Labour's Lindsay Hoyle is the outgoing MP.

THE NORTH

10pm Polls close at 624 polling stations and 1,512 ballot boxes will go to eight count centres. Indications of turnout figures are expected about 10.30pm.

MIDNIGHT

NORTH ANTRIMWill Ian Paisley jnr (right) hold off a stiff challenge from TUV leader Jim Allister? The scale of the Allister vote will indicate the level of opposition to DUP sharing power with Sinn Féin.

LAGAN VALLEYCan the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson fight off Ulster Conservative and Unionist candidate Daphne Trimble?

UPPER BANNDavid Simpson is fighting hard against Ulster Conservative and Unionists candidate Harry Hamilton – a Freddie Mercury impersonator.

FOYLEFormer SDLP leader Mark Durkan hoping to protect his 5,000 majority against Sinn Féin's Martina Anderson.

2–3am Final 14 Northern constituencies results expected, but those too close to call are:

SOUTH BELFASTThe SDLP's Alasdair McDonnell is fighting to hold his seat. The withdrawal of the Sinn Féin candidate should help him as the DUP's Jimmy Spratt tries to present himself as the only unionist who can regain the seat.

EAST BELFAST: DUP leader Peter Robinson faces a challenge from Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long and former rugby international Trevor Ringland for the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists.

FERMANAGH SOUTH TYRONE: Sitting MP Michelle Gildernew (SF) defends her slender majority against Independent Rodney Connor.

SOUTH DOWNHighly significant seat where the SDLP is running new leader Margaret Ritchie. She may need tactical votes by Ulster Unionists to hold off Caitríona Ruane (SF).

SOUTH ANTRIM: Can Sir Reg Empey win this or will defeat by the DUP's William McCrea mark the beginning of the end for the Ulster Unionist leader?