Two of the candidates have been knocked out in the first round of count voting in the Hertfordshire police and crime commissioner election.
Liberal Democrats representative Christopher Townsend and UK Independence Party candidate Marion Mason have both been eliminated – leaving a two-horse race between Conservative candidate David Lloyd and Labour’s Sherma Batson.
The election is being decided by the supplementary vote system, meaning people vote for their first and second choice candidates.
If no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the first choice votes, everyone except the top two candidates are eliminated and votes are counted again.
Mr Townsend tweeted: “I have not won the race for Herts PCC – thanks to all for the very many votes (and) words of support, but not enough to win I’m afraid.”
The second stage of counting is now under way.