At 9 o'clock this evening in the nine countries of the EEC, ballot boxes were opened and counting began simultaneously in the world's first multinational elections.
In the BBC's London studio
David Dimbleby and Robin Day set the scene for the first of the United Kingdom's 81 results, expected before 11 o'clock from Devon, Scotland or Sussex.
In Europe a special television network has been set up to exchange news, interviews and results. In Paris Michael Charlton will follow the French story, and in Bonn Charles Wheeler will report on how the Germans view the new parliament. At home the BBC election computer plus our outside broadcast cameras will bring you the results as they happen.
To discuss the significance of these first direct elections to Europe, ROBIN DAY'S guests will include
The Rt Hon Edward Heath , mp The Rt Hon Dr David Owen , MP The Leader of the Liberal Party, The Rt Hon David Steel , MP The Rt Hon Barbara Castle
The Rt Hon Shirley Williams
The Chairman of the European Movement in Britain,
The Rt Hon Lord Thomson of Monifieth and from Brussels
President of the Commission, The Rt Hon Roy Jenkins
Director TOM GUTTERIDGE
Producers PHIL HARDING , PAUL NORRIS Deputy editors
RONALD NEIL , MARGARET DOUGLAS Editor JOHN MORRELL
Election results service on Ceefax