Counting is underway in today s Penkhull and Stoke by-election.
Four candidates are contesting the vacant seat on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, with the polls closed at 10pm.
The by-election was called following the resignation of veteran councillor Randy Conteh in May. The 62-year-old has been charged with rape and will appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on July 16.
The four candidates standing in the by-election are: Adam Colclough, of the Green Party; Hazel Lyth, of the City Independents; Lee Polshaw, of Labour; and Dean Richardson, of the Conservatives.
The city council is run by a minority Conservative administration, with the support of two independent councillors. But the Tories have been edging closer to an overall majority, following their victory in the Moorcroft by-election in May and the defection of former Labour councillor Candi Chetwynd this week.
Ex-Labour councillor Candi quits party to join the Tories
stokesentinel.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stokesentinel.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Former Stoke-on-Trent councillor Randy Conteh appears in court charged with rape
stokesentinel.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stokesentinel.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Councillor Randy Conteh
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A long-serving city councillor has been charged with rape.
Randy Conteh - an independent member on Stoke-on-Trent City Council - is due to appear in court next month.
The 62-year-old represents Penkhull and Stoke on the authority.
It has now been confirmed that he has resigned his position.