Polling stations open for the by-election to choose the next mayor of Greater Manchester following Andy Burnham’s departure from the role. Multiple outlets describe the contest as a large-scale election, with voters across the combined authority area casting ballots to decide who will take over the mayoralty. The Evening Standard reports that more than two million people are eligible to vote, calling it the biggest by-election in the UK by electorate size. Coverage also indicates that the election is specifically held to fill the vacancy left by Burnham, rather than being part of another scheduled general or local election cycle. While the provided extracts do not include detailed information on candidates, campaign issues, or results, both references frame the same key event: the start of voting for the mayoral by-election. The outcome will determine who becomes Greater Manchester’s next mayor for the remaining term of the position.