Guidance for observing the May 2026 Senedd election

May 2026 Senedd election

This guidance is for electoral observers who have been accredited by the Electoral Commission. It includes information on the elections taking place and what to expect at the electoral processes you are entitled to observe.
Find out more about becoming an accredited observer

What elections are taking place?

On Thursday 7 May 2026 there will be Senedd elections in Wales. This guidance is for accredited observers observing in Wales.

What is different to the last Senedd election?

From May 2026, the Senedd will have 96 Members instead of 60.

Wales will have 16 constituencies. Each constituency will elect six Members of the Senedd. Voters will only vote once in Senedd elections, choosing a political party or independent candidate. The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru created the new constituencies by pairing the existing 32 UK Parliament constituencies for Wales. They also considered local boundaries, road and transport links, and natural features like rivers and mountains.

What can I observe?

As an accredited observer you are entitled to attend:

  • the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers
  • the polling stations
  • the verification and counting of the votes

We have published a Code of Practice for electoral observers. You must comply with the standards of behaviour set out in this Code.
You do not need to tell electoral officials that you want to observe proceedings; by law you have a right to attend as detailed above. However, if you do tell them, they may be able to provide you with some relevant local and practical information, for example a list of polling stations or adaptations made to venues for accessibility purposes. You can still make unannounced visits or change your plans if you want to.

Who can vote in these elections?

Voters can vote in the Senedd election if they are registered to vote in Wales, will be 16 years old or over on Thursday 7 May 2026 and are:

  • a British or Irish citizen or
  • a Commonwealth citizen who has leave to remain in the UK or does not require such leave or
  • a citizen of a European Union country or
  • a qualifying foreign citizen who has permission to enter or stay in the UK or who does not need such permission
    British citizens living overseas can’t vote in this election.

What voting methods will be used?

Voters will get one vote to choose representatives for their constituency in the Senedd.
This is a ‘closed proportional list system’ and means that they vote for either a political party or an independent candidate.

Voters will receive one ballot paper and put a cross [X] in the box next to their choice of political party or independent candidate. The ballot paper will still show the full list of candidates in the political party’s list.  

If a party wins enough votes, they will win one or more seats in the Senedd. If an independent candidate wins enough votes, they will win a seat in the Senedd.  

Seats will reflect the percentage of votes each party or independent candidate gets.

Who does what at these elections?

The Returning Officer (RO) for each constituency is designated by Welsh Ministers.

The RO is responsible for ensuring the election is administered effectively in their constituency including the provision of polling stations, the printing of ballot papers, appointing polling station staff, the conduct of the poll, managing the postal vote process, and the verification and count.

Where a constituency covers more than one local authority the RO designated by Welsh Government Ministers will work closely with others on operational issues. 

The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) is responsible for maintaining the register of electors and absent voters’ lists for their area. The ERO is normally a senior officer of a local authority and may also be the RO. You can find contact details for EROs on our website.

The Electoral Commission is an independent statutory body set up by UK Parliament.
We register political parties and non-party campaigners, monitor and publish donations to political parties and regulate spending at certain elections. We also accredit observers to attend election proceedings. We do not run elections but have responsibility for providing advice and assistance on electoral matters to all those involved in elections. We also promote voter awareness.

The Electoral Commission
James William House
9 Museum Place
Cardiff
CF10 3BD

Tel: 020 7271 0500
[email protected]
www.ElectoralCommission.org.uk

Briefings

The RO will offer briefings ahead of the elections for candidates and agents. You may be able to attend these sessions which will help you to understand the processes that you are entitled to attend and observe. If you wish to attend these briefings, you should contact the relevant elections office beforehand to arrange your attendance.

Postal voting

Electors can apply to vote by post. All election materials in Wales will be produced in English and in Welsh. The RO starts to send postal voting packs to postal voters around two weeks before polling day. Voters can return their packs by post to their local council or hand them in to certain polling stations on polling day. Completed postal voting packs must be returned by 10pm on polling day.

You are entitled to attend both the issuing of postal voting packs and postal vote opening sessions. You can also appoint a postal vote agent to attend on your behalf. The RO will be able to tell you when and where these sessions are taking place.  

What happens at a postal vote issuing session?

There are likely to be several sessions for issuing postal votes. These could take place at an external printer.
At the issuing session, postal voting packs will be put together. The packs will include:

  • Envelope A – this is the envelope that the elector returns their ballot paper(s) in. It is marked with the letter ‘A’ and the words ‘ballot paper envelope’
  • Envelope B – this is the envelope that the elector will use to return the ballot paper envelope and the postal voting statement. It is marked with the letter ‘B’ and the address of the RO
  • The postal voting statement – this contains the elector’s name, the number of the ballot paper(s) issued to them, instructions on how to vote by post and space for the elector to sign and provide their date of birth
  • The ballot paper(s)

Postal voting packs will then be delivered to electors, either by hand or by post. If the election is combined with another poll, the RO may send the ballot paper(s) for each election together or separately.

When will postal votes be opened?

It is likely that there will be several postal vote opening sessions before polling day, as well as on polling day itself. You can contact the RO for details of these locally. There will also be a final opening session held after the polls have closed. Postal votes handed in to polling stations will be opened at this session. This session may be held at the count venue or in another location.

What happens at a postal vote opening session?

Postal voters must complete and return a postal voting statement which includes their signature and date of birth, as well as their ballot paper(s).

The RO will decide whether or not the date of birth and signature provided by electors on their postal voting statements matches the signature and date of birth previously provided by the elector and held on their records. If they do not match, the postal vote will be rejected.

A very small number of voters will have been granted a waiver because they are unable to sign or provide a consistent signature due to a disability or an inability to read or write. These voters do not need to sign their postal voting statement.

Postal vote opening procedure

  • Step 1: Open the postal voters' ballot box.
  • Step 2: Count and record the number of covering envelopes (Envelopes 'B').
  • Step 3: Open the covering envelopes (envelopes ‘B’) and remove the postal voting statement and ballot paper envelope (envelope ‘A’).
  • Step 4: Mark all returned postal vote statements on the postal/postal proxy list to show it is returned.

    If not all parts of the postal vote have been returned:
     
  • Step 5: Mark the envelope ‘provisionally rejected’, attach contents and add to the rejected votes packet. Add to the lists as appropriate:

    o    list of ballot papers received without a valid (or any) postal voting statement.
    o    list of ballot paper numbers of postal voting statements received without a ballot paper.
    o    See Stage 4.

  • Step 1: Verify the personal identifiers on the returned postal voting statements.
  • Step 2: Separate the ballot paper envelopes from the postal voting statements and keep both in order.
  • Step 3: Determine those postal voting statements that are missing a date of birth and/or signature or where either/both do not match those held on the identifier record. Adjudicate those and reject where either are not included or you are not satisfied that the statement is duly completed.

    Invalid postal voting statements are rejected. The statements, ballot paper and envelopes are marked ‘rejected’ and placed in the receptable for rejected votes.
    Postal voters who have been granted a waiver only need to complete their date of birth.
     
  • Step 4: Check the number on the postal voting statement matches the number on the ballot paper envelope (envelope “A”). After matching, package up the postal voting statements and seal the packet.

    If the numbers do not match:
     
  • Step 5: Open the envelope. If the ballot paper matches the statement, it is valid and should go in the postal ballot box. Non-matching ones should be provisionally rejected (see below).

  • Step 1: Open the ballot paper envelopes (envelopes ‘A’)
    If the ballot paper is inside the envelope:
  • Step 2: Remove the ballot paper(s), ensuring they are kept face down at all times.
  • Step 3: Check the number on the ballot paper envelope (envelope ‘A’) against the number on the back of the ballot paper.
  • Step 4: Keep the ballot papers face down at all times. Don’t look or allow others to look at the votes marked on the ballot papers.
  • Step 5: Place ballot papers in the postal ballot box or appropriate receptable and proceed to Stage 5.

    If the ballot paper number does not match:
     
  • Step 2: Attach the ballot paper to the envelope.
  • Step 3: Mark it as ‘provisionally rejected’ and put it in the receptacle for rejected votes.
  • Step 4: Add to the both the list of ballot papers received without a valid postal statement and the list of ballot paper numbers of postal voting statements received without a ballot paper.

    If there is no ballot paper inside the envelope:
     
  • Step 2: Mark ‘provisionally rejected’ and put in the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes.
  • Step 3: Add to the list of ballot paper numbers of postal voting statements received without a ballot paper.

  • Step 1: To match up separated documents, check the two reject lists against all ballot papers/postal voting statements that have been returned separately from their corresponding postal voting statement/ballot paper and, if possible, match them up.

    o    The two lists must be taken to the final opening of postal votes to carry out any final matching.
     
  • Step 2: Record any successful match on the relevant lists.
  • Step 3: Place the ballot papers that are no longer to be treated as provisionally rejected in the postal ballot box or appropriate receptacle and place the accompanying postal voting statements in the appropriate receptacle.

  • Step 1: Count and record the total number of ballot papers, keeping the ballot papers face down at all times.

    o    Actual votes are not counted at this stage.
     
  • Step 2: Place the ballot papers in the postal ballot box, which much be sealed at the end of each opening session and stored securely.
  • Step 3: Complete postal vote ballot paper account

Duty to maintain secrecy

The RO will give you a copy of the statutory Requirement of Secrecy. Anyone attending a postal vote issuing or opening session must comply with this. Ballot papers will be kept face down throughout a postal vote opening session.

Anyone attending an opening session must not:

  • attempt to see how individual ballot papers have been marked
  • attempt to look at identifying marks or numbers on ballot papers
  • disclose how any particular ballot paper has been marked
  • pass on any such information gained from the session

Anyone found guilty of breaching these requirements can face an unlimited fine, or may be imprisoned for up to six months.

Observing at polling stations

You are entitled to observe inside polling stations. The RO will be able to provide you with a list of all polling stations in the area where you want to observe.

ROs may have reviewed their polling stations since the last elections and there may be some late changes to polling stations if venues become unavailable. Look out for such changes being communicated via local authority websites and/or social media channels.

When are polling stations open?

Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 7 May 2026. You are permitted to arrive shortly before this to observe the sealing of the ballot box(es) prior to the poll opening.

What will the inside of the polling station look like?

The layout within each polling station may differ, but it may look similar to the images below:

Example of a single polling station layout with one entrance/exit:
Example of a single polling station layout with separate entrance and exit:
Example of a double polling station layout:

Who can vote at a polling station?

Any person on the polling station’s electoral register can vote at the polling station unless:

  • they are a registered postal voter
  • they are a registered proxy voter and their proxy has already voted for them or has applied to vote on their behalf by post
  • they are not 16 years of age or older on polling day
  • they are registered as an overseas elector

Electors receive a poll card before the election telling them where they can vote. Most electors do not need to take their poll card to the polling station in order to vote. The only electors who need to bring a poll card with them to vote are those who have registered anonymously because of risks to their safety.

Registered postal voters cannot be issued with a ballot paper at the polling station. They can return their completed postal ballot pack to their polling station or any polling station in the relevant electoral area or to the RO at the elections office. Postal ballot packs returned to polling stations must be handed to polling station staff and not placed in the ballot box. Polling station staff will keep any postal votes secure until they are collected.

Who is allowed to be in the polling station?

The following people are entitled by law to be present in a polling station:

  • the RO and their staff
  • the Presiding Officer and clerks
  • voters
  • persons under voting age who accompany voters
  • companions of disabled voters
  • candidates and their election agents
  • polling agents
  • police officers and community support officers on duty at the polling station
  • Electoral Commission representatives
  • observers accredited by the Electoral Commission
  • persons aged 16 or over handing in postal votes
     

What do polling agents do?

Candidates and political parties can appoint polling agents to be present at any polling station. The main role of a polling agent is to detect personation (when an individual votes as someone else – whether that person is living or dead or is a fictitious person).

Other duties that the polling agents may undertake include:

  • checking that the ballot box is empty at 7am
  • being present when the Presiding Officer marks a ballot paper on behalf of a voter
  • being present at the close of poll to observe the sealing up of the ballot box and other packages
  • attaching their own seal to the ballot box or any packet in addition to the official seal at close of poll.

What happens in a polling station?

  • ask voters for their name and address, and make sure they are eligible to vote
  • mark a straight line against the voter’s entry on the register of electors
  • write the elector number on a list next to the number(s) of the ballot paper(s) to be issued
  • ensure the ballot paper(s) include the official mark (e.g. a barcode or watermark)
  • fold the ballot paper(s) and then hand them to the voter unfolded so that they can see all of the options on the ballot paper(s)

  • mark the ballot paper(s) in private in the polling booth
  • fold the ballot paper(s) and show the ballot paper number(s) and unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper(s) to the Presiding Officer
  • place the ballot paper(s) in the ballot box(es) and leave the polling station

A single ballot box may be used for all of the elections or one box may be used for each separate election.

Anonymous Elector’s Document

Anonymous electors wishing to vote in person will be required to show an Anonymous Elector’s Document. An application for an Anonymous Elector’s document can only be made in writing, using a paper application form. Your local RO will be able to provide the elector with this form on request. The application form can then be returned to the RO by the elector by post, by hand or by emailing a scanned copy.

What assistance is available for voters with disabilities?

Through our work with civil society organisations and charities we have identified a range of equipment that can help to overcome the known barriers faced by disabled people. The following equipment should, as a minimum, be provided in all polling stations to support disabled voters:

this provides a place to rest for voters who cannot stand for long periods and a seat for voters who would like to take some time to think before entering the polling booth

these can provide support for voters who are visually impaired to vote independently by increasing the size of the text on a document 

tactile voting devices provide support for voters who are visually impaired to mark their vote on the ballot paper in the correct place, provided it is placed on the ballot paper correctly. They have been found to provide assistance in completing the ballot paper once visually impaired voters know the position on the ballot paper of the candidate for whom they wish to vote. They do not allow blind voters to vote independently unless they also have accessible information about the order of the candidates on the ballot paper

helps to ensure that voters who use a wheelchair are able access a lower writing surface to ensure they can cast their vote in secret in a booth that is accessible 

these help voters more easily identify who is a member of staff in the polling station and can therefore be approached for assistance.

these can help voters with dexterity impairments to more easily hold and use a pencil independently 

these support access to a polling station for voters who use a wheelchair or have difficulty using steps

these provide a way for voters to let polling station staff know that they need assistance to open the door so they can access the polling station. These do not need to be permanently fixed or installed in a building used as a polling station but can be temporarily placed at an accessible level on a table or chair next to any doors that must remain closed

some polling station venues have good lighting but others may need additional lighting at the desk; to ensure that voters can clearly see the faces of staff, and in the polling booths; to support voters with visual impairments to be able to read and complete the ballot paper.

this ensures that disabled voters can park as close as possible to the polling station

for reference purposes only

Voters with sight loss may use apps on their mobile phones or carry pocket-sized assistive equipment, such as video magnifiers to help them read documents. These could be used in conjunction with the template. The RO may also have provided magnifying glasses to support voting without assistance.

If a voter is unable to mark a ballot paper themselves because they have a disability, the Presiding Officer or a companion can mark it for them. The voter must tell the polling station staff that this is how they want to vote and the reason why.
If a companion marks the ballot paper for a voter, they will be asked to fill in a form. A companion cannot assist more than two electors to vote at an election.

Electors can contact the Returning Officer to explain any specific access needs that they have. As a result, there may be extra equipment in certain polling stations where the Returning Officer has allocated specific equipment to meet those access needs.

What are Tellers?

Tellers stand outside polling stations and record the elector numbers of people who have voted. They can then identify likely supporters who have not voted yet and encourage them to vote before the close of poll.

Tellers have no legal status, and voters can refuse to give information to them.

What happens after polls close?

Polls close at 10pm. Any voters waiting in a queue at their polling station at 10pm will be allowed to vote, even if they haven’t been issued with their ballot paper(s) yet.

Once all voters who have been issued with ballot paper(s) have voted, the Presiding Officer must seal the ballot box. Candidates, agents and polling agents can also add their own seal if they want to.

The Presiding Officer must then complete a number of official forms:

  • the ballot paper account (which states how many ballot papers were issued)
  • the list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions
  • the list of votes marked by the Presiding Officer
  • the statement of the number of voters whose votes were marked by the Presiding Officer
  • the list of tendered votes
  • the Ballot Paper Refusal List (BPRL)

Duty to maintain secrecy in the polling station

Anyone attending a polling station must maintain the secrecy of the ballot. In particular, the following information must not be disclosed:

  • the name or electoral number of who has or has not voted
  • the number or other unique identifying mark on a ballot paper

Anyone attending a polling station must not try to determine how a voter has voted or who they are about to vote for. A polling agent can mark off on their copy of the register of electors those voters who have applied for ballot papers. If the polling agent leaves the polling station during the hours of polling, they must leave the marked copy of the register in the polling station to ensure that secrecy requirements are not breached.

Any person found guilty of breaching the secrecy requirements can face an unlimited fine, or may be imprisoned for up to six months.

Observing the verification and count

You are entitled to attend the verification and count. You are only permitted to observe the process. You are not allowed to enter the restricted area where staff count the votes. ROs have the right to limit the number of observers who may be present at any one time during the verification and count.
The RO is responsible for verifying and counting the votes cast in their area and are responsible for declaring the results.

The RO will be able to tell you when and where the counts will take place.

Who can attend the count?

The following people are entitled by law to attend the verification and count:

  • Returning Officers and their staff
  • candidates plus one guest
  • election agents (or a sub-agent on their behalf)
  • counting agents
  • Electoral Commission representatives
  • observers accredited by the Electoral Commission
  • any other person permitted by the RO

The RO may allow representatives of the media to attend the verification and count but they must not interfere with the process or compromise the secrecy of the vote.

What do counting agents do?

Counting agents have a number of important roles to play at the count:

  • they observe the counting process and make sure that it is accurate
  • they can draw to the attention of count staff any doubtful ballot papers
  • if they disagree with a decision by the RO to reject a ballot paper, they can ask the RO to mark on the ballot paper “rejection objected to”
  • if a count is suspended for any reason, counting agents can add their seals at the same time as the Returning Officer does. This process ensures the integrity of the ballots during any break in proceedings. 

What is verification?

After polling stations close at 10pm the ballot boxes will be delivered to the count venue. Postal ballot papers previously received and opened will also be brought to the venue in sealed ballot boxes.

All ballot papers must then be verified. This process may take place immediately after close of poll, or the following day before the count. 

Verification has two main purposes:

  • returned postal ballot papers have been brought to the count
  • provide the figure that should match the result of the count.

The number of ballot papers in each box are counted and will be compared with the number on the ballot paper account. If the number of ballot papers in each box matches the ballot paper account, the verification of that box is complete. If the numbers do not match, the ballot papers will be recounted and the documentation checked again. This process will continue until the RO is satisfied as to the actual number of ballot papers to be included in the count.

How are the votes counted?

After the verification stage is complete, the RO must mix the polling station and postal vote ballot papers before the votes are sorted and counted. The count will take place the day after the poll. The ballot papers should be kept face upwards and be visible at all times to any candidates, agents and observers present. Any doubtful ballot papers should be placed aside for adjudication.

Staff will count the number of votes at each election cast for each political party or independent candidate.

Each constituency is allocated six seats to be filled. Seats will be allocated based on the number of votes each party or individual candidate receives, using a mathematical formula d’Hondt t he RO will make a declaration stating who has been elected after the counting process has concluded.

What are doubtful ballot papers?

A doubtful ballot paper is a ballot paper that has not been completed in accordance with the instructions. During the count, these ballot papers will be placed aside. The RO will adjudicate these ballot papers regularly throughout the count to determine whether the intention of the voter clearly appears on the ballot paper.

An announcement will be made that an adjudication on doubtful ballot papers is about to be made. The RO will decide whether each doubtful ballot paper is valid in the presence of candidates, agents and observers. You can attend the adjudication, but it will not be delayed if you are not present.

The RO will inform those present whether or not each doubtful ballot paper is valid and the reason for their decision. The ROs decision is final and can only be challenged by an election petition.

Any doubtful ballot papers that are declared as valid must be counted and included in the total number of votes cast for the appropriate political party or independent candidate.

A ballot paper will not be counted if it:

  • is unmarked
  • does not contain the official mark
  • contains more than one vote
  • contains any mark or writing that can identify the voter
  • does not indicate the voter’s intention with certainty

The RO must mark the word “rejected” on any ballot paper that is rejected and must draw up a statement showing the number of ballot papers rejected for these reasons.

What happens if parties or individual candidates have the same number of votes?

If two or more parties or individual candidates have the same number of votes, the RO must decide between them by drawing lots. The method of doing so is at the RO’s discretion.

Duty to maintain secrecy

Anyone attending the count has a duty to maintain the secrecy of the count. In 
particular, anyone attending must not:

  • ascertain or attempt to ascertain number or other unique identifying mark on the 
    back of any ballot paper
     
  • communicate any information obtained at the count as to the political party or independent candidate for whom any vote is given on any particular ballot paper

Submitting Feedback

We welcome feedback from your electoral observations which you can submit using our feedback form.
If you want to submit feedback on these elections, the deadline for feedback to be considered is Friday 5 June 2026.

Feedback may be shared with relevant Returning Officers to help improve the running of elections and the observer scheme.
If you would like to send feedback in a different format, please email [email protected]