SHOCKING TWIST!! EastEnders airs hugely unexpected Walford election twist in early iPlayer release

EastEnders has aired a major twist as Walford goes to the polls on election day, with Elaine Peacock and Ian Beale vying to be the community’s next councillor. Warring Elaine and Ian have recently made peace, but in the final days of the campaign, Ian was persuaded by his scheming girlfriend Bea Pollard to release a smear video against Elaine.

Elaine was initially obvious to the damning video, which was doing the rounds on social media, but she was furious when she eventually watched the clip and she even slapped Ian in the Square.

As Bea continued campaigning for Ian on election day in today’s episode, Ian released another video, apologising for his involvement in the smear on Elaine’s character.

With voting under way, there was controversy as Kathy was seen putting a cross by Elaine’s name, therefore voting against her own son! She gleefully told Harvey what she’d done, saying that Ian was a nightmare when he was previously a councillor, and together they tried to dissuade Peter from campaigning for his dad.

Ian felt bad about the defamatory video and attempted to make amends with Elaine, but she and Linda were still angry with him.

As the voting continued, Ian pulled Elaine to the side and apologised profusely again, and the pair even posed for a photo together – but Elaine refused to accept his olive branch and made it clear how deeply hurt she was.

The votes were later counted, and it was announced that Ian had won the election. As he stepped up to make a speech, Elaine congratulated him, and Ian looked guilty about the way the campaign was won.

Elaine returned to Peacock Palace, but was surprised when Ian followed her back, desperate to reach out to her. When Elaine continued to push him away, a blazing row broke out – then Ian unexpectedly kissed her.

Elaine kissed Ian back, before Ian said he had to return to the community centre to celebrate his win, and both of them were left confused about what had just happened.

Could this mark the start of a new romance between these fierce rivals?

Walford residents take to the polls in next week’s EastEnders as they pick their new councillor – but will it be Ian Beale or Elaine Peacock who wins the public vote? Following months of rivalry, the gloves are well and truly off as the pair employ dirty tactics to achieve their political dream…

“You’d think Elaine and Ian were vying to move into 10 Downing Street from the way they’re behaving!” says our Walford insider.

“Election day is finally here, and any sign of a truce between these two is out the window, as Ian can’t resist Bea’s suggestion of some low blows to wreck his opponent’s chances. But the consequences could be more serious than he realises…”

Determined to regain his place on the council, Ian is given a reality check when predictions point to Elaine winning more support among the locals.

The anxious entrepreneur resorts to bribing his neighbours in exchange for writing a cross next to his name on the ballot box when the time comes – and unsurprisingly, they’re having none of it!

Ambitious Bea quite fancies the thought of being on the arm of Walford’s next councillor and has an idea as to how her boyfriend could claim victory. Her spiteful solution is to create a smear campaign discrediting Elaine with a viral video.

Even by petty Ian’s standards, he reckons this is a bit unnecessary, so he dismisses Bea’s proposal. As the final chance to win favour arrives, will he change his mind?

“It’s time for the last debate, where the hopeful councillors attempt to convince their constituents which way to swing,” continues our source. “Elaine is in her element as she confidently commands the crowd, while Ian struggles thanks to cheeky Oscar swapping his speech to put him off.

“Even though Elaine helps Ian get through the debate, his humiliation is too much – and he later gives Bea the green light to post the incriminating clip…”

The following day, it’s not manifestos the voters are talking about – it’s the damning video of Elaine that’s doing the rounds on social media. At first, the lady in question has no idea of the online storm that’s brewing about her. But when she pops by Beale’s Eels to wish Ian good luck in the last 24 hours of the campaign, he feels very guilty.

Regretting his decision, Ian tries to get hold of Bea to ask her to take the video down. Unfortunately, Cindy has already put Elaine in the picture, and she soon seeks out Mr Beale to confront him over his actions.

“Election day dawns, and the competition is at fever pitch,” teases our insider. “Elaine and Ian desperately canvas for last-minute votes, and Bea attempts to manage the damage she caused by trying to make the vicious video disappear. Ian genuinely wishes things hadn’t got so out of hand. Even he does win, it would leave a bitter taste…”

The votes are counted and the potential politicians eagerly await the result. What will the outcome be, and has canny Elaine got something up her sleeve to get her own back on Ian?