Lower Saxony's local elections: Why counting takes all night

Around 6.3 million people are eligible to vote in Lower Saxony's local elections on Sunday, electing 2,182 municipal bodies and 395 top officials, making it a significant test of political sentiment. Unlike state or federal elections, there will be no 18:00 nationwide forecast. First direct election results are expected from 19:00, with district results from around 22:30. A statewide trend from Infratest dimap is due at 22:10. Preliminary statewide district results are not expected until Monday morning, meaning reactions from top state politicians and a traditional "elephant round" are not planned for tonight. Party representatives will instead appear at a press conference in Hanover on Monday.