The general election takes place today (Thursday).

Voters will decide who will represent them in the House of Keys.

All 24 seats are up for grabs.

Once the new MHKs are elected, they will vote for a new chief minister, who will then appoint a new Council of Ministers.

So the Isle of Man will have a new government, possibly with a new direction.

The polling stations shut at 8pm.

As soon as the results are confirmed, they will be reported on iomtoday.co.im

In the days before the election, candidates clashed over key issues in some of the last debates.

In Ramsey, that issue was the plans to build a £100m marina development along the promenade and beach.

Simon Mann said he had been against the scheme since 2019, while Erica Spencer called for 'something where we can have more freshwater activities’ to bring people into the town.

Leonard Singer criticised the lack of opposition from incumbent MHKs when the plans re-emerged, and Luke Parker said it would have to be financially self-sustaining.

However, Dr Alex Allinson, defending his seat, said he doubted the plans would ever get off the ground, as any lease would have to go before Tynwald.

But Robert Cowell was in favour, saying that ’there’s no debate’ that marinas develop towns, pointing to the examples of Peel and Douglas Quayside.

Lawrie Hooper, also defending, pointed out that nothing could be built on South Beach because it is a protected nature reserve, whilst Jonathan Kinrade said he would be on board if the plans included ’investment into the town, Quayside, the harbour and some sort of interface with freshwater activities in Mooragh lake’.

To see artist's impressions of how the marina would look if changed plans get the go-ahead, see today's Manx Independent.

In the last Peel and Glenfaba debate at Peel Golf Club, healthcare, education and climate change were among the issues raised, but ’number one’ topic which had come up on the doorstep was that of raw sewage being pumped into Peel bay.

Leo Cussons said that Manx Utilities could not be expected to solve the issue in time or on budget.

Tim Crookall said that we need to grab the issue ’by the scruff of the neck’.

Speaking about the rejected MU plans for a regional sewage treatment works, Trevor Cowin described the situation as ’a complete farce’ saying that the matter should never have been referred to the Council of Ministers.

Geoffrey Boot, defending his seat, said that raw sewage should not be discharged into the bay, and that it was an issue which needed addressing.

Kate Lord-Brennan said that the costs of any regional sewage strategy needed to include an extension of the [bay] outflow pipe and all-year round UV treatment.

And Ray Harmer, also defending, said that a solution was on track for early 2022.

Michael Lee is also standing in the constituency but did not participate in the debate.

Meanwhile, there was also another debate for Middle, a constituency which is guaranteed two new MHKs (with former MHKs Howard Quayle and Bill Shimmins not standing again).

Climate change, the Afghanistan situation, housing and education all featured.

The size of government was also discussed when an audience member asked if those found to be incompetent should be sacked.