Brexit referendum: Final polls suggest neck-to-neck fight as Britain’s historic voting ends

Counting began immediately with results expected Friday morning. Final polls suggested a close race.

YouGov Refernendum day poll has put the “IN” on 52 per cent and “OUT” camp on 48 per cent.  Unlike a classic exit poll, it was based on online responses by a pre-selected sample of people rather than a survey of voters as they left polling stations.

The UK Press Association Data reveled that the voter turnout was 83. 65 per cent in Gibraltar, the first counting area to report turnout.

Prime Minister David Cameron led the campaign to keep Britain inside the 28-nation bloc. He argued that participation strengthens Britain’s economy and security.

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson and others on the “leave” side said Britain would be stronger and wealthier on its own.

The divisive campaign saw heated rhetoric on both sides and split the ranks of Cameron’s Conservative Party.

Both sides in Britain’s referendum campaign urged supporters to get out and vote,  until polls close.

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Britain Stronger in Europe tweeted that people should vote to remain for “a brighter future for your children and generations to come.”

Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliott urged people in the “heartlands” outside London and Scotland expected to be big “remain” strongholds to make an extra effort.

Former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who leads the “leave” campaign, said polls suggested the outcome would be close. But he says “all the information is that turnout is good in areas where we need it to be.”

[With inputs from Agencies]