General Information
At Stake in this Election:
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All 96 members of the Welsh National Assembly
Government Structure:
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Chief of State: King CHARLES III (since 09 Sept 2022)
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Head of Government: First Minister Eluned MORGAN (since 06 Aug 2024)
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Assembly: unicameral Parliament with 96-seat National Assembly (Senedd)
Electoral System:
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The King is a hereditary monarch.
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The First Minister is nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the King.
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All 96 members of the National Assembly are elected in 16 multi-member constituencies through proportional representation to a four-year term.
In the last election in 2021, the Welsh Labour Party won half the seats with 30 of 60. Voter turnout was 47%.
Information for Voters:
This will be the first election in Wales under a new voting system. The previous system had 60 members, which were partially elected by plurality vote and proportional representation. The new system raised the number of members to 96 and unified the method of election to be proportional representation in 16 multi-member districts.
Key Deadlines:
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Candidate filing deadline: 17 April
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Voter registration deadline: Not applicable; voter registration is passive.
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Welsh Labour Party / Llafur Cymru
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Leader: Eluned MORGAN
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Seats won in the last election: 30 seats out of 60
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Welsh Conservatives / Ceidwadwyr Cymreig
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Leader: Darren MILLAR
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Seats won in the last election: 16 seats out of 60
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Party of Wales / Plaid Cymru
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Leader: Rhun AP LORWETH
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Seats won in the last election: 13 seats out of 60
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Welsh Liberal Democrats / Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
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Leader: Jane DODDS
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Seats won in the last election: 1 seat out of 60
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Note: 146 political parties are registered in Wales; those included above won seats in the last Welsh election.
Country Context:
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Population: 3,195,431 (2026 est.)
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Registered Voters: 2,324,400 (2025)
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V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index Score: Not available.
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V-Dem Regimes of the World Classification: Not available.
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Human Development Index (HDI) Position: Not available.
Gender Data:
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Female Population: 1,629,461 (2026 est.)
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CEDAW Status: Bound by the United Kingdom which signed 22 Jul 1981 and ratified 07 Apr 1986
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Number of Female Legislators (pre-election): 26 out of 60 (43%) in the National Assembly
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Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Not available.
Disability Data:
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CRPD Status: Bound by the United Kingdom which signed 30 Mar 2007 and ratified 08 Jun 2009
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Projected population with a disability: 511,269 (2026 est.)