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Why are General Elections in the UK held on a Thursday?

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UNTIL 1918, polling at General Elections took place over several days and at one time different constituencies could complete polling on different days, thereby - it was alleged - creating a bandwagon effect for a successful political party. read more

Long ago, before we lived in a 24-hour society, the financial markets and civil service were civilised places to work. They finished at 5 and started at 9 with weekends off. The idea was to disrupt government as little as possible with elections so they were held on a Thursday. read more

The last general election not on held a Thursday was on October 27, 1931 — which was a Tuesday. The last Parliamentary by-election not on a Thursday was the poll in Hamilton in May 1978, when the returning officer moved it to Wednesday to avoid a clash with the first game of the football World Cup. read more

Market was traditionally on a Thursday. So in rural areas that's when most people traveled to town. If they were in the town they were more likely to vote. read more

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