The EU referendum takes place today. Here we explain what happens, when the polling stations are open and what happens when the polls have closed. 

For more coverage on the EU referendum, visit bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/eu_referendum 

When do the polling stations open?

They will open at 7am and close at 10pm on Thursday, June 23.

How do I know which polling station to go to?

It will tell you on your polling card. 

What do I need to take with me?

You don't need to take your polling card along with you to vote. But you do need to be registered to vote.

However, if you've lost it and don't know where your local polling station is, you'll need to contact your local elections office (to do this, see the question What If I haven't had a polling card?).  

Anyone in Northern Ireland will need to take a correct form of photo ID, otherwise they won't be able to vote.  

Can I still register to vote?

Unfortunately not. The deadline to register to vote was June 7 but this was then extended to June 9 after the website crashed due to a surge in last-minute registrations. 

If you haven't registered, you won't be able to vote in today's EU referendum.

What if I haven't had a polling card? 

If you haven't had a polling card but think you're registered to vote, you'll need to contact your local electoral registration office who will be able to let you know. 

You can find their contact details by entering your postcode at aboutmyvote.co.uk/uk-voters

What is the question on the ballot paper?

“Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

How do I cast my vote?

By putting a cross (X) in the ‘Remain a member of the European Union’ box or ‘Leave the European Union’ box on your ballot paper.

If you put in more than one cross, your vote may not be counted.

What happens after I cast my vote?

The ballot papers will be transferred to counting centres.

Poole’s count is being held at the Rossmore Leisure Centre, Bournemouth’s at the Littledown Centre and Christchurch’s at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre.

Poole is one of 12 main regional centres across the country coordinating the announcement of results, and will oversee 38 counting areas across the south west and Gibraltar.

When and where will we learn what the result is?

The results will be declared by counting area so there should be an indication of how the vote share is developing throughout the night.

Returning officer for the south west, Paul Morris, will report the region’s results to Jenny Watson, the chief counting officer, using a secure electronic results collation system.

Ms Watson, who is also chair of the Electoral Commission, will declare the overall referendum result at Manchester Town Hall after all the local totals have been received, verified and collated.

We'll be running a live blog throughout the night, bringing you all the latest local and national news on the EU referendum, plus results as they come in.