Chelgate always runs a competition around the UK general elections. This time was no different but unlike 2005, this time we put up three prizes: a case of champagne in March, another case in April, and then a double case for the overall winner.
We also posted updates here of the average margin of all the entries, so you can see the way the election is going!
Update: May 28,2010
The Thirsk and Malton seat results have been announced, with a win for the Conservatives. The results of our General Election Competition will be announced after the weekend.
Update: May 12,2010
Our competition will be delayed until the outcome of the Thirsk and Malton seat has been determined. This seat has been delayed due to the death of a candidate. That election will take place on May 27, so the outcome of our competition will be announded on or after May 28.
Update: May 7,2010
The voting has finished and the counting is well under way. Our competition also closed at 10pm last night and we are assimilating the entries. Once the final election result is known, and the margin of winning votes calculated, we will be able to announce the winners of our competition: there will be three; one for the closest estimate in March, another for the closest guess in April, and then an overall winner, who will receive a double case of champagne for the closest guess of the margein overall. Initial results early this morning show a winning margin of around two million (BBC Election website) which is way above the average level of entries to our competition.
Update: May 6,2010
Today is election day. Entries to the competition are accepted up until 10.00pm tonight, when the polls close. The results, and there will be a total of four cases of champagne to be given away, will be announced as soon as the final result is announced, which could be next week. Individual winners will be notified by email and telephone.
Recent Entries have shown a drop in the predicted winning margin - the average this week is 570,685, a drop of 100,000 on April. Even now, this is way ahead of what the opinion polls and bookies are predicting.
Update: May 4,2010
Entries for April have now closed and we are in the final phase of the competition: everyone can now make one last entry before 10pm on Thursday, May 6.
The total number of entries to the competition is now over 400, with the average entry for April being 667,343, down from 690,161 in March.
Update: April 23,2010
The total number of entries to the competition is now over 350. The average entry so far this month is 647,679, down from 690,161 in March, going well against the current opinion polls which predict a far closer margin.
Update: April 9,2010
The total number of entries to the competition is now approaching the 300 mark. The average entry for the month of March was 690,161, whereas the average entry so far this month is 654,688. If reflected in the General Election, that would probably be enough to give the winning party a good workable majority.
Update: March 31, 2010
Today is the final day for March entries, but everyone can start making their April entries from tomorrow. The second week of this competition has seen the total entries approaching the 200 mark, but the average margin has dropped from 960,863 to 689,235.
Update: March 24, 2010
The competition has been running for a week and already over 100 entries have been received. The average estimate of the winning margin is currently 960,863, which is higher than the winning margin in the last election in 2005 (783,585).
All you had to do was guess the margin of votes by which the largest party wins over the second-placed party. Please click to see the 2010 competition results.