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Council election voting underway Council election voting underway
(30 minutes later)
Polling stations are about to open for elections to councils across Wales. Polling stations have opened for elections to councils across Wales.
People can vote for the 22 county councils and many town and community councils from 0700 BST until 2200 BST.People can vote for the 22 county councils and many town and community councils from 0700 BST until 2200 BST.
About two million people are eligible to vote in elections which will help to decide how the larger councils spend nearly £20bn over the next four years.About two million people are eligible to vote in elections which will help to decide how the larger councils spend nearly £20bn over the next four years.
The results will also be closely watched as a verdict on the performance of the main political parties, both at Westminster and in the Welsh assembly.The results will also be closely watched as a verdict on the performance of the main political parties, both at Westminster and in the Welsh assembly.
The new and re-elected councillors will take charge of key services such as schools, social services, recycling and refuse collection, leisure centres and planning.The new and re-elected councillors will take charge of key services such as schools, social services, recycling and refuse collection, leisure centres and planning.
Thousands of would-be county councillors are standing for more than 1,200 seats.Thousands of would-be county councillors are standing for more than 1,200 seats.
It's very straightforward but staff will explain what needs to be done Kay Jenkins, Electoral CommissionIt's very straightforward but staff will explain what needs to be done Kay Jenkins, Electoral Commission
Most councils will start counting when polls close on Thursday, but others will leave it until Friday morning. That means that a full picture will not emerge until Friday afternoon.Most councils will start counting when polls close on Thursday, but others will leave it until Friday morning. That means that a full picture will not emerge until Friday afternoon.
Electoral Commission Wales head Kay Jenkins said local elections were the most complex to run because there were so many candidates and so many elections taking place at the same time.Electoral Commission Wales head Kay Jenkins said local elections were the most complex to run because there were so many candidates and so many elections taking place at the same time.
She said people with postal votes who had not managed to send them off could still have their say on the day.She said people with postal votes who had not managed to send them off could still have their say on the day.
"If they've applied for a postal vote, they can't actually vote in person at a polling station," she said."If they've applied for a postal vote, they can't actually vote in person at a polling station," she said.
WHO RUNS WELSH COUNCILS Blaenau Gwent: LabourBridgend: Liberal Democrat / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / IndependentCaerphilly: LabourCardiff: Liberal DemocratCarmarthen: Labour / IndependentCeredigion: Independent / Liberal Democrat / LabourConwy: Independent / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / Liberal DemocratDenbighshire: Independent / Conservative / Plaid CymruFlintshire: LabourGwynedd: Plaid CymruMerthyr: Labour / IndependentMonmouth: ConservativeNeath Port Talbot: LabourNewport: LabourPembrokeshire: IndependentPowys: IndependentRhondda Cynon Taf: LabourSwansea: Liberal Democrat / IndependentTorfaen: LabourVale of Glamorgan: Labour / Plaid Cymru / IndependentWrexham: Liberal Democrat-led BoardYnys Mon: Anglesey Forward / Radical IndependentsWHO RUNS WELSH COUNCILS Blaenau Gwent: LabourBridgend: Liberal Democrat / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / IndependentCaerphilly: LabourCardiff: Liberal DemocratCarmarthen: Labour / IndependentCeredigion: Independent / Liberal Democrat / LabourConwy: Independent / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / Liberal DemocratDenbighshire: Independent / Conservative / Plaid CymruFlintshire: LabourGwynedd: Plaid CymruMerthyr: Labour / IndependentMonmouth: ConservativeNeath Port Talbot: LabourNewport: LabourPembrokeshire: IndependentPowys: IndependentRhondda Cynon Taf: LabourSwansea: Liberal Democrat / IndependentTorfaen: LabourVale of Glamorgan: Labour / Plaid Cymru / IndependentWrexham: Liberal Democrat-led BoardYnys Mon: Anglesey Forward / Radical Independents
She advised anyone with a postal vote who had not yet sent it in to seal it and take it to the polling station.She advised anyone with a postal vote who had not yet sent it in to seal it and take it to the polling station.
Ms Jenkins also advised anyone who had applied for a postal vote and not received one to contact their local authority during the day for a replacement ballot pack, although they might have to go to the council offices to pick it up.Ms Jenkins also advised anyone who had applied for a postal vote and not received one to contact their local authority during the day for a replacement ballot pack, although they might have to go to the council offices to pick it up.
She said anyone planning to vote at their local polling station could do so without their polling card because they would simply be asked for their name and address.She said anyone planning to vote at their local polling station could do so without their polling card because they would simply be asked for their name and address.
Most local authorities have more councillors than they have electoral wards, because wards can be represented by as many as five councillors.Most local authorities have more councillors than they have electoral wards, because wards can be represented by as many as five councillors.
In a multi-member ward electing four councillors, for example, people would be able to cast four votes - or fewer, if they choose.In a multi-member ward electing four councillors, for example, people would be able to cast four votes - or fewer, if they choose.
Ms Jenkins advised people to read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully to avoid confusion.Ms Jenkins advised people to read the instructions on the ballot paper carefully to avoid confusion.
"If they feel confused at all, they should ask the polling station staff who will be able to tell them exactly how many candidates to vote for," she said."If they feel confused at all, they should ask the polling station staff who will be able to tell them exactly how many candidates to vote for," she said.
"Some people, as well, will have two ballot papers because they may also be able to vote in the community council election."Some people, as well, will have two ballot papers because they may also be able to vote in the community council election.
"It's very straightforward, but staff will explain what needs to be done and there are instructions on the wall and the ballot paper.""It's very straightforward, but staff will explain what needs to be done and there are instructions on the wall and the ballot paper."
Some authorities, such as Cardiff, are publishing the results ward-by-ward online.
BBC Wales election coverage:		Some authorities, such as Cardiff, are publishing the results ward-by-ward online.
BBC Wales election coverage:
Web: The BBC Wales News website - bbc.co.uk/walesnews - will provide continually updated coverage throughout Thursday and on Friday.Web: The BBC Wales News website - bbc.co.uk/walesnews - will provide continually updated coverage throughout Thursday and on Friday.
Radio: Radio Wales and Radio Cymru: Results programmes from 0030 to 0300 BST on Friday. Also on Radio 5 Live from 2200 to 0500 BST and Radio Four from 0000 to 0300 BST.Radio: Radio Wales and Radio Cymru: Results programmes from 0030 to 0300 BST on Friday. Also on Radio 5 Live from 2200 to 0500 BST and Radio Four from 0000 to 0300 BST.
TV: Betsan Powys and Adrian Masters will provide regular updates from Wales on Election Night 2008 from 0005 to 0600 BST on BBC One Wales and the BBC News channel.TV: Betsan Powys and Adrian Masters will provide regular updates from Wales on Election Night 2008 from 0005 to 0600 BST on BBC One Wales and the BBC News channel.