It is D-Day today in the UK. After months of campaigning, people are voting (until 22hr BST, 21hrGMT) on whether Britain should stay inside the European Union or leave…in what has been dubbed a so-called Brexit.
The referendum was held under general election rules so politicians were unable to campaign as Catherine Drew reports.
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Nigel Farage, leader of the right wing UK Independence party whose existence is based on campaigning for Britain to leave the European Union voted early thursday.
On his way into the polling station, he joked with photographers that he had not yet made up his mind.
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Farage's entire political career has been leading up to this moment… and no doubt he is hopeful….even though the remain camp has pulled slightly ahead in recent days, opinion polls are still neck and neck and it will be decided on the roughly 12-15 per cent of voters who will decide which way to go on the day.
In contrast Prime Minster David cameron, the leading voice int he campaign to Remain part of the European Union did not talk with reporters as he cast his vote near Downing Street. While the British leader has said he will continue as Priem Minister even if the Brexiteers win, senior conservatives have cast doubt he would last very long as leader in such a scenario.
These voters were among the 46.5 million people who are eligible to vote and turnout is expected to be high.
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High street currency exchanges reported brisk business again thursday with some reportedly running out of euros and dollars as some brits swapped their pounds… in case the leave vote takes the day. In that case, the pound is expected to fall sharply against major currencies.
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Once polls close on Thursday counting will go into the night... 382 local counting areas will declare results - and the official announcement will be made on Friday in Manchester in the north England.
Campaigning has been fierce, with immigration, trade, the economy and the UK's health service all playing on voters minds as they cast their vote. Now it is only a matter of horus before the country learns whether it will continue inside Europe or begin the long journey to leave the block.
Catherine Drew, SOC, London