Brexit or not: Counting underway in UK's historic EU referendum

Counting is underway in a historic referendum that will decide whether the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union.

Voting closed on Thursday, with a prominent Leave campaigner saying he expected to lose and early surveys suggesting voters had chosen to remain in the bloc.

IMAGE: Workers begin counting ballots after polling stations closed in the referendum on the European Union in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

The counting is taking place at centres around the UK in a vote widely seen as too close to call.

Nigel Farage, head of the UK Independence Party and a leading voice in favour of leaving the EU, told Sky News he did not expect to be on the winning side.

IMAGE: Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha leave after voting in the EU referendum, at a polling station in central London, Britain. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

"It's been an extraordinary referendum campaign, turnout looks to be exceptionally high and looks like Remain will edge it," said Farage. A spokesman for Farage declined to elaborate.

Meanwhile, flash floods in the South of England disrupted voting and led to some polling stations being relocated.

IMAGE: Former London Mayor Boris Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler leave after voting in the EU referendum, at a polling station in north London, Britain. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

An online survey taken on polling day of 5,000 people by YouGov suggests the Remain side running at 52% of the vote, to Leave's 48%. Ipsos Mori have released polling from Thursday and Wednesday suggesting Remain will get 54% and Leave 46%.

If the UK becomes the first country to exit the EU it will arguably be the biggest blow to the 28-nation European Union since its formation.

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