**The UK Independence Party will announce its new leader later.**Five candidates are standing in the contest to replace Nigel Farage, who is standing down to focus on running for Parliament at the next election.
UKIP came second to the Conservatives in June’s European elections and is hoping to build on this success.
The leadership candidates are Lord Pearson, MEPs Gerard Batten, Mike Nattrass and Nikki Sinclaire, and Alan Wood, a councillor from Wiltshire.
The result is expected to be announced at about 1500 GMT.
‘Insult’
Leadership ballot papers were sent to UKIP members earlier this month and they had until Thursday to vote.
The contest has seen some controversy, with Mr Farage claiming that Lord Pearson, a former insurance broker, is “head and shoulders” above his rivals and any other winner could prove “tricky” for the party.
Mr Batten has said that such comments are an “insult” and might “unduly influence” the outcome.
UKIP, which wants the UK to withdraw from the EU, took 13 seats at the European elections but has no MPs at Westminster.
Mr Farage is running for the seat of Buckingham at the next general election, where he hopes to oust Commons Speaker John Bercow.