Vote deadline 'approaching fast'

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As the three-month countdown to the Welsh assembly elections begins, people are being urged to register to vote before the 18 April deadline expires.

On 3 May, voters will go to the polls to decide who will run Wales for the next four years.

But about 130,000 people are still not registered to vote, according to the Electoral Commission.

It said the deadline may be sooner than people think and urged people to register in time.

As in all assembly elections since the body was set up in 1999, voters will have the opportunity to cast two votes.

One of these is for the constituency candidate of their choice and one for their preferred party or individual candidate on the regional list.

COUNTDOWN TO THE ELECTIONS: 2 March: Last day for applications to register new political parties intending to field candidates27 March: Last date for publication of notice of election, start of the campaign period11 April: List of candidates and parties standing published18 April: Last day to register to vote and last day to request a postal vote25 April: Last day for a proxy vote (non-emergency)3 May: Polls open from 0700 BST - 2200 BST

Kay Jenkins, head of the Electoral Commission's Wales office, said voting was a chance for people in Wales to have their say on the things that mattered to them.

"Politics affects all aspects of our everyday lives, whether at home, at work or at leisure and our plea for people to register reflects this," she said.

"We are calling on people to register now, and to make their vote count on 3 May."

To register to vote, contact your local authority or go to www.aboutmyvote.com to request a registration form which must be returned to your local electoral office before 18 April.

<li>As part of its election coverage, the BBC is looking for 60 people from all walks of life to give their views on crucial issues.

To become one of the BBC Wales 60, e-mail wales60@bbc.co.uk, including a few details about yourself together with your comments on the election campaign ahead or leave your details on the BBC information line on 08700 100775.</li>