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'Big turnout' in Lib Dem election 'Big turnout' in Lib Dem election
(about 2 hours later)
Turnout in the ballot for the new Welsh Liberal Democrat leader is expected to exceed that of the party's other recent leadership elections across the UK.Turnout in the ballot for the new Welsh Liberal Democrat leader is expected to exceed that of the party's other recent leadership elections across the UK.
The ballot to replace outgoing leader Mike German closes at noon on Monday and the winner will be announced later. The winner of the race to replace Mike will be announced at about 1515 GMT.
A total of 62% of ballots had already been returned to the party's Wales HQ in Cardiff Bay by Friday afternoon. Either Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson or Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams will become Wales' first female party leader.
The two candidates are Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson and Kirsty Williams, Brecon and Radnorshire AM. A total of 62% of ballots had been returned to the party's Wales HQ in Cardiff Bay by Friday afternoon.
In addition to more conventional campaigning methods, both used modern campaigning techniques including social networking sites, internet messaging feeds, and video sharing websites. In addition to more conventional campaigning methods, both candidates used modern campaigning techniques including social networking sites, internet messaging feeds, and video sharing websites.
Chief Executive Joanne Foster said: "Both candidates have done a great job enthusing our members about this election. Chief executive Joanne Foster said: "Both candidates have done a great job enthusing our members about this election.
"We will have a higher percentage turnout than in the 1999 Federal election where Charles Kennedy was elected leader (62%). And we are on course to top the turnout figures for the Scottish and Federal leadership elections." "We will have a higher percentage turnout than in the 1999 federal [UK party] election where Charles Kennedy was elected leader (62%). And we are on course to top the turnout figures for the Scottish and federal leadership elections."
In addition to the five official hustings, held in each electoral region, the candidates also attended two informal hustings in Bangor and Newtown, and a series of local party events across Wales.In addition to the five official hustings, held in each electoral region, the candidates also attended two informal hustings in Bangor and Newtown, and a series of local party events across Wales.
Ms Randerson announced she would stand following the resignation speech of Mr German, who steps down in December.Ms Randerson announced she would stand following the resignation speech of Mr German, who steps down in December.
At the time she said that she wanted to double the number of Lib Dem AMs to 12 by 2015, calling this a "bold" but "achievable" goal.At the time she said that she wanted to double the number of Lib Dem AMs to 12 by 2015, calling this a "bold" but "achievable" goal.
She was acting deputy first minister when Mr German temporarily stepped down in 2001.She was acting deputy first minister when Mr German temporarily stepped down in 2001.
Ms Williams launched her leadership bid saying she wanted to "embrace" the party's "talent" and use it to achieve success "in all parts of Wales". Ms Williams launched her leadership bid saying she wanted to embrace the party's talent and use it to achieve success "in all parts of Wales".
An AM since 1999, she was a member of the National Assembly Advisory Group (NAAG), which decided the institution's working arrangements when it was created.An AM since 1999, she was a member of the National Assembly Advisory Group (NAAG), which decided the institution's working arrangements when it was created.