I posted my UK election preview (Thursday 7 May) here: UK election on Thursday - here is everything you need to know

Its getting rave reviews in the comments! (Well, one anyway - thanks Simon!)

But ... where can you get the earliest indications to results? Bolding is mine ...

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RBC has the answer, saying that once voting closes at 2200 London time (which is 2100GMT) exit poll results will be released

  • News channels will then publish their seat projections

RBC go on:

  • "Like in 2010, there will only be one major exit poll (jointly sponsored by BBC, ITV News and Sky)
  • In the last two elections, the exit polls called the results almost exactly"

And:

  • At 0100 (these are London times, subtract 1 for GMT) key marginal seats and 'target' seats for the main parties should start to declare"
  • Results will build through until around 0300
  • By 0400, around 50% of the 650 should have declared
  • By 0500, around 75% of results should be in
  • "At this point we should have a clear idea of the national seat allocations, but unless there is major surprise relative to current predictions, this will only be the start of the formation of a new government, which could take days or even weeks"

RBS provide their thoughts on how its going to pan out in terms of seats ... I am not sure which poll/projection they are quoting, but here it is:

  • Conservatives 281 seats
  • Labour 266
  • Lib-Dem 26
  • SNP 52
  • UKIP 1

But:

  • Prediction markets appear to be priced for a stronger Conservative showing (289 seats)