Wales 2026: Counting begins for 96-seat Senedd under proportional system

Counting starts across 16 new constituencies to elect 96 Senedd members under a new proportional system (D'Hondt) that replaces first-past-the-post. Voters will choose a party rather than a specific candidate. Labour faces a difficult day as Plaid Cymru and Reform UK compete for top spot, with no party likely to secure a majority. Counting begins at 09:00 BST and results are expected throughout the day, as Wales undergoes a once-in-a-century change to its parliamentary setup.