EA Bulletin: 402 Wales

Polling station handbooks

Further to bulletin 396, we have published our polling station handbook for Returning Officers for the Senedd elections taking place on 7 May 2026.

Please note that this is not the final print-ready version of the polling station handbook. This is a final text version that is being made available to support administrators in planning their polling station staff training. As in previous years, hard copies of the polling station handbook will be distributed in March.

If you require any further support, please contact the Wales team on [email protected]. 

Candidate security

Further to bulletin 400, we have updated the guidance for Returning Officers and Candidates and Agents for the Senedd elections, to reflect the updated arrangements for working with the police that will be in place for the Senedd polls in May 26.  If you require any further support, please contact the Wales team on [email protected].   

Our annual Welcome to Your Vote Week is nearly here!

Sign up now  to be part of the week and receive your free digital resources.  

Join us for Welcome to Your Vote Week, Monday 9 to Sunday 15 March 2026, and support young people in your area to learn more about voting and democracy.  

This year’s theme is ‘Why Voting Matters’, giving young people the opportunity to discover the difference voting makes, why it’s important to them, and how they can have their voices heard.

Hear more about Welcome to Your Vote Week from our youth voice network.  

Visit our website  to learn more about the week and for activity inspiration. You can also download our impartial education resources.  

Please continue to support the week by spreading the word in your networks and by getting involved in your area. We’d love to hear your plans – get in touch with us at [email protected] or share what you get up to on social media with #WelcomeToYourVoteWeek. 

We are currently recruiting to the following positions in our Electoral Guidance team: 

• Senior Adviser (Electoral Guidance)  

• Senior Adviser (Guidance Reform) x 2    

The team is responsible for developing and maintaining accurate and accessible guidance and resources, and for providing expert advice on electoral practice.  

The closing date for applications for these posts is Sunday, 22 February 2026.    

If you would like an informal discussion about the Senior Adviser (Guidance Reform) role, please contact Joanne Anderson, Electoral Reform Guidance Manager, on [email protected].       

For an informal discussion about the Senior Adviser (Electoral Guidance) role, please contact Sam Whitcher, Electoral Registration Guidance Manager, on [email protected].  

For further information or to apply, please visit the Commission’s job portal.