London Mayoral Election 2021: When do polls open?

SADIQ Khan has been at the capital's helm since 2016 and now has his sights set on being re-elected as Mayor of London.

But his fate lies in the hands of city dwellers, who are heading to the polls to cast their vote in the 2021 London Mayoral Election.

🔵 Read our Elections 2021 live blog for the very latest updates

When is the 2021 London Mayoral Election and what time do polls open?

The mayoral election was scheduled to be held on May 7, 2020, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, it is taking place today, Thursday, May 6, 2021.

Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm.

It is being held simultaneously with other local elections across England - as well as for the London Assembly.

The last London mayoral election was held back in 2016, when Sadiq Khan stormed ahead with 44.2 per cent of the votes and was elected.

Who are the candidates?

Khan is seeking a second term as Mayor after being re-selected as the Labour candidate in 2018

But even as a favourite fighting for re-election in Labour-dominated London, he has a fight on his hands.

While widely praised for showing the capital as open and inclusive, his leadership has been marred by a perceived inability to tackle big issues such as transport infrastructure and knife crime.

The 50-year-old, London's first Muslim mayor, will need to convince voters he has what it takes to steer the capital through the next four years.

Khan is up against Shaun Bailey, who is the Conservative party's pick for the election.

Bailey, 49, has attempted to be selected in a number of London constituencies in 2017, including Kensington, Croydon South and Uxbridge South and Ruislip.

He joined the Army cadets while still a teenager and remained with them for another 10 years.

Meanwhile, fighting for the Green party once again is Sian Berry.

The Greens' co-leader, 46, finished third behind Khan and his rival Zac Goldsmith in 2016.

The Lib Dems have chosen Camden councillor Luisa Porritt as their candidate.

The 33-year-old served as an MEP between 2019 and 2020 for the Lib Dems.

For the Renew party, Kam Balayev has been selected.

He has worked in the international law, global risk and transnational business.

Count Binface is back and is standing as an independent candidate.

Binface has previously challenged both Theresa May and Prime Minister Boris Johnson in general elections.

On March 30, 2021, Binface tweeted: "Don't lend me your vote. GIVE ME IT! AND I'LL GIVE YOU CEEFAX".

Meanwhile, Piers Corbyn, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, will run as an independent.

The 74-year-old, from Southwark, South London, is a well known climate change denier and also claims the coronavirus pandemic is a hoax.

Controversial former actor turned political campaigner Laurence Fox will also be taking on Sadiq Khan.

He has launched a new "anti-woke" movement, called the Reclaim Party, which is pushing for the lifting of all coronavirus restrictions.

Here we run down all the other candidates and hopefuls.