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Voters cast ballots in Euro poll Voters cast ballots in Euro poll
(about 9 hours later)
Voters are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the European parliamentary elections.Voters are heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the European parliamentary elections.
Wales has four MEPs and people vote for a party rather than individuals. The four main parties are fielding candidates as are seven smaller groups.Wales has four MEPs and people vote for a party rather than individuals. The four main parties are fielding candidates as are seven smaller groups.
Polling stations open on Thursday at 0700 BST and close at 2200 BST. Polling stations opened on Thursday at 0700 BST and close at 2200 BST.
Labour, the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats are all putting forward a full team of candidates for election.Labour, the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats are all putting forward a full team of candidates for election.
Voters mark the ballot once with an X besides the party they are supporting.Voters mark the ballot once with an X besides the party they are supporting.
Along with the four main parties, there are also a full team of candidates from the British National Party, the Christian Party of Wales, the Green Party, the Jury Team, No2EU: Yes to Democracy, the Socialist Labour Party and the UK Independence Party.Along with the four main parties, there are also a full team of candidates from the British National Party, the Christian Party of Wales, the Green Party, the Jury Team, No2EU: Yes to Democracy, the Socialist Labour Party and the UK Independence Party.
At the last European election in 2004, Wales voted for two Labour MEPs, one Conservative and one Plaid Cymru representative.At the last European election in 2004, Wales voted for two Labour MEPs, one Conservative and one Plaid Cymru representative.
Some 41% of registered voters turned out last time around. That was an increase on 1999, when the turnout was 29%.Some 41% of registered voters turned out last time around. That was an increase on 1999, when the turnout was 29%.
Most voters will cast their ballot at a local school or hall as usual. However, people are increasingly applying for postal votes.Most voters will cast their ballot at a local school or hall as usual. However, people are increasingly applying for postal votes.
Polling stationsPolling stations
If they have not been sent by Thursday, they will be too late to post. People can still hand in the completed postal vote to a polling station though. If they had not been sent by Thursday, they were too late to post. However, people can still hand in the completed postal vote to a polling station.
There are also a number of more unusual polling stations. These include a car sales office in Merthyr Tydfil, a hairdressers in Ebbw Vale, the conservatory of a private house on the Lleyn Peninsula and a pub at Rhuallt Hill in Denbighshire.There are also a number of more unusual polling stations. These include a car sales office in Merthyr Tydfil, a hairdressers in Ebbw Vale, the conservatory of a private house on the Lleyn Peninsula and a pub at Rhuallt Hill in Denbighshire.
Though voting closes on Thursday night in the UK, the votes will not be counted and the results will not be declared until Sunday. Though voting closes on Thursday night in the UK, the votes will not be counted and the results will not be declared until Sunday night.
This is because different EU states vote on different days. UK elections have historically been held on Thursdays.This is because different EU states vote on different days. UK elections have historically been held on Thursdays.
Ireland goes to the polls for the election on Friday. Portugal, France and Germany do not vote until Sunday. Ireland goes to the polls for the election on Friday. Countries such as Portugal, France and Germany do not vote until Sunday.
The 27 member states of the European Union will be voting to send 736 MEPs into the parliament.The 27 member states of the European Union will be voting to send 736 MEPs into the parliament.
The European Parliament has a range of powers including over workers' rights, international trade, economic development and the environment.The European Parliament has a range of powers including over workers' rights, international trade, economic development and the environment.