British leaders cast their votes in general elections

Leaders of all major political parties in Britain have cast their votes since the balloting for the general elections began at 7 a.m. on Thursday in nearly 50,000 polling stations across the country, media reports said.

UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage cast his vote at the Eastcliff community housing office in Ramsgate, the seaside town in Thanet district in east Kent, just moments after the booths opened, according to ITV.

David Cameron and his wife Samantha cast their votes at the Conservative leader's polling station in the Oxfordshire constituency of Witney. Labour party leader Ed Miliband cast his ballot along with wife Justine Thornton at the polling station in Sutton village hall, Sutton.

Greens leader Natalie Bennett cast her vote at Ossulston Tenants' Hall in London, while SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell cast their ballots at Broomhouse community hall polling station in Glasgow.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and his wife Miriam cast their votes in Sheffield. The Liberal Democrat leader appeared to be struggling as he attempted to open the door of the car for his wife, ITV said.

Various pre-poll surveys have predicted a split verdict, and this may open the doors for horse trading and endless parleys between politicians. It may also trigger a call for political reforms like proportional representation.

According to BBC, 50 million people are registered to vote for the 650 seats at stake in the Commons.

Besides the general elections, more than 9,000 council seats are being contested across 279 local authorities. Mayors will also be elected for Bedford, Copeland, Leicester, Mansfield, Middlesbrough and Torbay, the report said.

A handful of results are expected to be declared by midnight, but the final results are expected to be declared on Friday afternoon.