Aerial view of Tower Bridge and the River Thames at night. Photograph: Jason Hawkes/theguardian.com

Source: BBC

Labour candidate Sadiq Khan is leading in the London mayoral elections as vote-counting continues.

Counting in the elections for the London mayor and London Assembly started at 08:00 BST in Alexandra Palace, Excel and Olympia.

The results will be announced later as 12 candidates battle to be the third person to hold the post of mayor of London.

The victor will succeed Boris Johnson who had defeated Ken Livingstone.

Go to BBC London Live for the latest election results, reactions and news

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• Looking back at 16 years of Ken and Boris

BBC Political analyst William Wearmouth reports that with between 30-53% of votes verified, the Conservatives are behind in four of the six London Assembly seats they currently hold.

While the Conservatives retain leads in Bexley & Bromley and West Central (Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea) they are behind in Croydon & Sutton, Havering & Redbridge, Merton & Wandsworth and South West (Hounslow, Kingston & Richmond).

The counting of the votes at the three centres in the capital is being done electronically.

Voters were able to choose first and second preferences for mayor, and two types of London Assembly member – one for their area and one for the city.

Whoever becomes the new mayor holds the largest personal mandate for any political office in the UK.

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