The media are invited to apply to attend the election count on Friday 8 May 2026 and/or Saturday 9 May 2026 at the ExCel in Royal Victoria Dock.
The count for the Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets is on Friday 8 May from 1.30pm. The count for 45 councillors across 20 wards is on Saturday 9 May from 8.30am.
Note: We have limited space for both days. Once we have all applications, we will then allocate invites – however, it is likely we will have more demand for spaces, and some applications will be rejected. If that happens, any media without an invite will not be allowed into the counts.
How to apply
If you are interested in attending, please complete the application form ensuring that you provide all the information requested before the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 29 April 2026, and specify which day you would like to attend. Any applications after this date will not be accepted.
We aim to let applicants know whether they have been successful or not by Friday 1 May, 2026.
Where media are allowed to attend, it is likely to be only one journalist per outlet unless a camera person is also needed.
For those who cannot attend or are not successful in their application, we will update the results on the council’s social media channels and website, along with providing access to images to use post-election.
The counts will take place in the Platinum Suite, Excel Exhibition Centre, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, E16 1XL.
All the information and questions required for the application is within the form. If media have any further questions, please contact the council’s communications team on communications@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Posted on Wednesday 22nd April 2026