TODAY, the people go to the polls to choose their Councillors, and for the first time their Mayor, across Bradford on Election Day 2021.

Last year's elections were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, making today's vote a bumper edition with multiple Councillors up for election across the district.

Voters are also choosing their first West Yorkshire Mayor after last year's devolution deal was secured.

Lots of safety measures have been put in place to make your trip to the polling station as safe as possible, but what is it like to go to the polls amidst the Covid pandemic?

Arrival

Before you go in, you need to pop your face covering or mask on - unless you are medically exempt. This is to keep you and everyone in there safe.

Just inside the entrance there were two foot-operated hand sanitising stations, as an extra precaution to keep everyone safe.

Heading inside

Inside the polling station, there are clearly marked lines on the floor for queuing to ensure everyone remains at a safe social distance as you wait to register.

Once it's your turn to speak to the volunteers running the polling station, they are also wearing PPE and sit behind a clear screen as you tell them your address and you are ticked off on their list of voters.

Once that's done you can head off to the polling booth.

Voting - don't forget your pen!

The polling booths are spaced apart to avoid crowding as you select your candidate. 

Voters are being urged and reminded to bring their own pen or pencil to select their candidates to avoid pens being passed around and the risk of spreading infection.

I, of course, had to take my Telegraph & Argus 150th anniversary commemorative pen.

Once you have selected your choices, you can then pop your ballots into the ballot box and head off on your merry way.

The verdict

All in all it was a thoroughly simple, safe and efficient process. Everything is spaced out to keep everyone safe and explained clearly by signs and the volunteers at the polling station.

Voting is your democratic right so make sure you use it and have your say! Polls are open until 10pm across the district.

The results for Bradford Council elections are being counted and should be due on Saturday, while in the West Yorkshire Mayoral election the result is due to be returned on Sunday.