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Hundreds chase an assembly seat Hundreds chase an assembly seat
(1 day later)
Nominations have closed for candidates to put themselves forward for election to the Welsh assembly.Nominations have closed for candidates to put themselves forward for election to the Welsh assembly.
When the final total is known, more than 250 people are expected to be in the running for the 60 seats on 3 May.When the final total is known, more than 250 people are expected to be in the running for the 60 seats on 3 May.
The four main parties - Labour, Plaid Cymru, Conservatives and Liberal Democrat - will contest all 40 constituencies, and have candidates on the five regional lists as well.The four main parties - Labour, Plaid Cymru, Conservatives and Liberal Democrat - will contest all 40 constituencies, and have candidates on the five regional lists as well.
Independents and at least eight other parties will also put up candidates.Independents and at least eight other parties will also put up candidates.
Although nominations have closed for the third election since the assembly was set up in 1999, the full list may not be available for several days.Although nominations have closed for the third election since the assembly was set up in 1999, the full list may not be available for several days.
Some local authorities have released the names of the candidates, but they do not have to publish them until Wednesday, 11 April.Some local authorities have released the names of the candidates, but they do not have to publish them until Wednesday, 11 April.
However, voters can ask their local council to show them a list of names. Candidates are still able to withdraw over the next few days.However, voters can ask their local council to show them a list of names. Candidates are still able to withdraw over the next few days.
HOW ASSEMBLY VOTING WORKS Assembly elections are held on a fixed four-year basisThere are 60 AMs, 40 from constituency seats and 20 from regional listsCandidates in 40 constituencies are elected by the traditional first-past-the-post systemThere are four AMs in each of the five regions of Wales: north, mid and west, south west, south central and south eastThe 20 regional AMs are elected by proportional representation from party listsThe better a party does in constituencies in one region, the harder it is to win seats on the regional list in that areaHOW ASSEMBLY VOTING WORKS Assembly elections are held on a fixed four-year basisThere are 60 AMs, 40 from constituency seats and 20 from regional listsCandidates in 40 constituencies are elected by the traditional first-past-the-post systemThere are four AMs in each of the five regions of Wales: north, mid and west, south west, south central and south eastThe 20 regional AMs are elected by proportional representation from party listsThe better a party does in constituencies in one region, the harder it is to win seats on the regional list in that area
The Welsh assembly and English council elections will be the first in which 18-year-olds will be able to stand as candidates.
Until the law was changed last year, candidates had to be over 21.
Among the youngest assembly candidates is Craig Williams, who is 21. He is standing for the Conservatives in Cardiff West, where the other candidates are Alison Goldsworthy (Lib Dem), Neil McEvoy (Plaid) and Rhodri Morgan (Labour).
As nominations closed, it emerged that leading Conservative Party figures have failed in their attempt to persuade one of their assembly candidates to stand aside.As nominations closed, it emerged that leading Conservative Party figures have failed in their attempt to persuade one of their assembly candidates to stand aside.
The returning officer for the south Wales west region has confirmed that Chris Smart has been nominated as the second candidate on the Conservative list.The returning officer for the south Wales west region has confirmed that Chris Smart has been nominated as the second candidate on the Conservative list.
BBC Wales understands that senior members of party leader David Cameron's shadow cabinet were involved in attempts to persuade Mr Smart to withdraw.BBC Wales understands that senior members of party leader David Cameron's shadow cabinet were involved in attempts to persuade Mr Smart to withdraw.
It followed the distribution of an anonymous leaflet making inaccurate accusations about Mr Smart's past conduct.It followed the distribution of an anonymous leaflet making inaccurate accusations about Mr Smart's past conduct.
Meanwhile, the Welsh assembly and English council elections will be the first in which 18-year-olds will be able to stand as candidates.
  • Candidates     in the south Wales west region are:
    Until the law was changed last year, candidates had to be over 21. Alun Cairns, Chris Smart, Gerald Rowbottom, Kenneth Watts, Robert Smith, Helen Baker, Elizabeth Lumley (Con); Howard Davies, Alana Davies, Leighton Veale, Erika Kirchner, David Rees (Lab); Peter Black, Jackie Radford, Frank Little, Mike Day, Peter Foley, Norah Clarke, Rachel Hitchinson, Marilyn Harris (Lib Dem); Bethan Jenkins, Dai Lloyd, Lisa Turnbull, Carolyn Edwards (Plaid).
    Among the youngest assembly candidates is Craig Williams, who is 21 and is standing for the Conservatives in Cardiff West. Clive Bennett, Nick Griffin, John Cooper, Jennifer King (BNP); Anne Savoury (Christian People's Alliance); David Brown, Mick Carty, Sian O'Brien, Robert Uprichard (Communist); Rhodri Griffiths, Brig Oubridge, Jane Richmond Jonathan Spink (Green); ; Keith James (independent); John Hudson (independent); Paul Lynch, Ahmed Mohammed Al-Jeffery (Respect).
    Ross Saunders, Alec Thraves, Ronald Job, Lianne Francis, Bernard Roome, John Evans (Socialist Alternative); Jacob Bowen, Martha Page-Harries, Miriam Scale, Howard Rees (Socialist Labour); Timothy Jenkins, Michael Squires, Denise Robinson, Mary Macdonald (UKIP); David Griffiths, Anthony Kelly, Katherine Bridgman, Tim Price, Theresa Jenkins (Welsh Christian Party).