Results

• How does the count work?
• When are the results announced?
• What about recounts?

How does the count work?

The count is managed locally by the Returning Officer.

At local elections, the result is worked out by the ‘First past the post' system. That means that the candidate with the most votes is elected.

At elections to the National Assembly for Wales around three-quarters of the seats are allocated using the 'first past the post' system. You also get a second regional vote for a Party. Each Party submits a list of candidates for each electoral region. The remaining seats are allocated to candidates on those lists according to which Party has the most regional votes, and how many seats that party has already won. An individual can stand as a regional candidate and is treated as though he or she were a party with only one name on their list. This voting method is called the 'Additional Members System'.

When are the results announced?

This will depend on the election being held but the counts for the local elections on 1st May 2008 will take place on Friday 2 May. The results for the May local elections will be available on the website.

What about recounts?

This is the responsibility of the Returning Officer and depends on how close the results are. Any candidate can request a re-count, however the Returning Officer can refuse this request if it is deemed to be unreasonable.