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Voting under way as Wales decides Counting begins as Wales decides
(about 11 hours later)
Voting has begun to elect the next Welsh Assembly Government. Counting is well under way after polls closed in the election to choose the next Welsh Assembly Government.
The people of Wales are choosing 60 Assembly Members - 40 in constituency seats and 20 from regional lists. The first results are expected some time after 0100 BST on Friday, but the last declarations are not likely before 0600 BST.
Polling booths opened at 0700 BST and will shut at 2200 BST, when counting will begin. The first results will be announced in the early hours of Friday. Labour is fighting to retain control of the assembly, and much may depend on turnout after a day of fine weather.
Meanwhile, 82 Gower voters are having to cast their votes again after a printing error led to the wrong candidates appearing on ballot papers. In total, 485 people are competing to win one of the 60 seats for the next four years.
Letters have been hand-delivered to their homes and they are also being contacted by phone urging them to return to their polling station. During the day, 82 Gower voters had to cast their votes again after a printing error led to the wrong candidates appearing on ballot papers.
Returning officer Paul Smith said: "As a precaution we have also checked every other polling station in Swansea to make sure that there have been no other printing errors." Letters were hand-delivered to their homes and they were also being contacted by phone urging them to return to their polling station.
Polling stations shut at 2200 BST
Returning officer Paul Smith said that every other polling station in Swansea was then checked to make sure there had not been any other printing errors.
Thursday's election's results will decide who will form the assembly government, which is responsible for a £14bn budget in key areas such as health and education and which will have more powers than ever before.Thursday's election's results will decide who will form the assembly government, which is responsible for a £14bn budget in key areas such as health and education and which will have more powers than ever before.
In total 485 people are trying to get elected. Of the 60 seats up for grabs, 40 are decided as constituency seats with the remaining 20 coming from regional lists.
At the last election in 2003, Labour won 30 seats and formed the assembly government. Plaid Cymru were second with 12 seats, followed by 11 Tory AMs, six Liberal Democrats and one independent.At the last election in 2003, Labour won 30 seats and formed the assembly government. Plaid Cymru were second with 12 seats, followed by 11 Tory AMs, six Liberal Democrats and one independent.
However, by the end of the assembly term, Labour were down to 29 seats and there were two independent AMs.However, by the end of the assembly term, Labour were down to 29 seats and there were two independent AMs.
HOW TO VOTE Every elector gets two votesOne vote is for a candidate in the constituency, and the other is for a party on a regional listVoters can use one vote or two. If they use two, they can vote twice for the same party, or for different onesThere are 40 constituencies which elect one AM each, and five regions return four AMs eachUnlike the last two assembly elections, no candidate can now stand in a constituency and on a regional list More than two million people were entitled to vote and politicians and pundits will also be looking closely at how many people made their way to the booths.
BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway said the conditions would be "fine, dry and warm" on Thursday, which should help voter turnout.
More than two million people are entitled to vote and politicians and pundits will also be looking closely at how many people do make their way to the booths.
In 1999, 46% of voters turned out, which fell to 38% in 2003. Parties are hopeful this year's turnout will be helped by several factors including increasing familiarity with the assembly and the growing number of postal votes.In 1999, 46% of voters turned out, which fell to 38% in 2003. Parties are hopeful this year's turnout will be helped by several factors including increasing familiarity with the assembly and the growing number of postal votes.
Kay Jenkins, head of the Electoral Commission Wales, urged people to use their vote. Some of the more unusual polling stations around the country included two hair salons, a bus, a petrol station, a supermarket and several pubs.
"Our research shows that people care strongly about the issues that affect them - from the quality of local schools and hospitals, to the future of public services in Wales," she said.
"Casting a vote on 3 May is a chance for people in Wales to have a say on the things that matter to them."
Some of the more unusual polling stations around the country include two hair salons, a bus, a petrol station, a supermarket and several pubs.
CoverageCoverage
The election results will be covered in full by BBC Wales on the news website and on radio and TV in English and Welsh throughout the night. The election results are being covered in full by BBC Wales on the news website and on radio and TV in English and Welsh throughout the night.
BBC One Wales - Election 2007, Thursday 2235 BSTBBC One Wales - Election 2007, Thursday 2235 BST
Huw Edwards with BBC Wales political editor Betsan Powys and Adrian Masters with coverage of the National Assembly Elections, featuring BBC Wales' biggest-ever outside broadcast with results from across the country. Huw Edwards with BBC Wales political editor Betsan Powys and Adrian Masters, featuring BBC Wales' biggest-ever outside broadcast with results from across the country.
S4C - Etholiad 07, Thursday 2230 BSTS4C - Etholiad 07, Thursday 2230 BST
Live coverage from BBC Wales of all the results from the National Assembly Elections, presented by Dewi Llwyd with BBC Wales' Welsh Affairs Editor Vaughan Roderick, and Rhuanedd Richards. Live coverage from BBC Wales of all the results, presented by Dewi Llwyd with BBC Wales' Welsh Affairs Editor Vaughan Roderick, and Rhuanedd Richards.
InteractiveInteractive
Digital TV viewers will also be able to use an interactive service giving highlights of the coverage from the Welsh and Scottish elections via the red button. Digital satellite and cable TV viewers will also be able to use an interactive service giving highlights of the coverage from the Welsh and Scottish elections via the red button.
BBC Radio Wales - Assembly Election Special, Thursday 2200 BSTBBC Radio Wales - Assembly Election Special, Thursday 2200 BST
Bethan Rhys-Roberts and Richard Evans will anchor live coverage of results from election counts across Wales. Patrick Hannan will be on hand to provide in-depth analysis and reaction to the results as they come in. Bethan Rhys-Roberts and Richard Evans will anchor live coverage of results. Patrick Hannan is on hand to provide in-depth analysis and reaction to the results as they come in.
BBC Radio Cymru - Canlyniadau Etholiad y Cynulliad 2007, Thursday 2200 BSTBBC Radio Cymru - Canlyniadau Etholiad y Cynulliad 2007, Thursday 2200 BST
Garry Owen brings the latest results from polling stations around Wales for the National Assembly Elections 2007, with reports from correspondents at the counts and reactions by a panel of politicians. Garry Owen brings the latest results, with reports from correspondents at the counts and reactions by a panel of politicians.
OnlineOnline
Full coverage of all the election counts and results will be available online. Betsan Powys will also be blogging throughout the night.Full coverage of all the election counts and results will be available online. Betsan Powys will also be blogging throughout the night.
MobileMobile
For the first time, BBC Wales is offering to send Welsh assembly constituency results via text messages to mobile phones. As soon as your result is declared after the polls close at 2200 BST on Thursday 3 May, the details will be sent to you. Register for alerts hereFor the first time, BBC Wales is offering to send Welsh assembly constituency results via text messages to mobile phones. As soon as your result is declared after the polls close at 2200 BST on Thursday 3 May, the details will be sent to you. Register for alerts here