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Low turnout in police and crime commissioner elections Low turnout in police and crime commissioner elections
(35 minutes later)
The elections to appoint Wales' first police and crime commissioners have all been marked by voter apathy.The elections to appoint Wales' first police and crime commissioners have all been marked by voter apathy.
Sources said there was a polling station in Newport where no votes were cast for the Gwent commissioner.Sources said there was a polling station in Newport where no votes were cast for the Gwent commissioner.
Fewer than 12% of people in Merthyr Tydfil voted in the election to appoint south Wales' commissioner The Electoral Commission has said it will investigate the low turnout across England and Wales.
As these are the first commissioner elections direct comparisons are not possible, but turnout is well below assembly and general elections.As these are the first commissioner elections direct comparisons are not possible, but turnout is well below assembly and general elections.
The head of the Electoral Commission in Wales, Kay Jenkins, said the low turnout would be of concern to anybody who cares about democracy.
The watchdog says it disagrees with a series of decisions by UK government.
The first result came from Dyfed-Powys, where Conservative Christopher Salmon won a two-horse race with Labour.The first result came from Dyfed-Powys, where Conservative Christopher Salmon won a two-horse race with Labour.
Alun Michael says the blame for the low turnout should be laid at the door of the UK government.Alun Michael says the blame for the low turnout should be laid at the door of the UK government.
He says the way the election has been held is a "disgrace".He says the way the election has been held is a "disgrace".
I popped out - it's very quiet here - to talk to shoppers outside the civic centre in Port Talbot and heard much the same over and over again.I popped out - it's very quiet here - to talk to shoppers outside the civic centre in Port Talbot and heard much the same over and over again.
People simply didn't feel well enough informed to go out and vote. Very few were really dying to know who has won.People simply didn't feel well enough informed to go out and vote. Very few were really dying to know who has won.
They said that they were well aware that they had a vote. They knew they could got out and vote. They just didn't have the information and didn't feel able to use that vote.They said that they were well aware that they had a vote. They knew they could got out and vote. They just didn't have the information and didn't feel able to use that vote.
He won with a majority of 1,114 over former Labour Welsh assembly agriculture minister Christine Gwyther. The turnout was 16.4%.He won with a majority of 1,114 over former Labour Welsh assembly agriculture minister Christine Gwyther. The turnout was 16.4%.
In the North Wales Police area turnout was 15.4%, ranging from 12.24% in the Wrexham area to 17.85% on Anglesey.In the North Wales Police area turnout was 15.4%, ranging from 12.24% in the Wrexham area to 17.85% on Anglesey.
Independent Winston Roddick, a barrister and former senior legal adviser to the Welsh assembly, won after a count of second-preference votes.Independent Winston Roddick, a barrister and former senior legal adviser to the Welsh assembly, won after a count of second-preference votes.
Turnout across Gwent was 14.3%. Newport council declined to name the polling station where no one voted, but BBC Wales understands it was in the Bettws ward.Turnout across Gwent was 14.3%. Newport council declined to name the polling station where no one voted, but BBC Wales understands it was in the Bettws ward.
Former police officer Ian Johnston, an independent candidate, beat the Labour challenger Hamish Sandison after the second preferences were counted.Former police officer Ian Johnston, an independent candidate, beat the Labour challenger Hamish Sandison after the second preferences were counted.
In South Wales, Wales' biggest force, counting also went to a second round, between former Labour minister Alun Michael and independent candidate Michael Baker.In South Wales, Wales' biggest force, counting also went to a second round, between former Labour minister Alun Michael and independent candidate Michael Baker.
Turnout across the South Wales force area was 15.1%. Of the individual council areas, Merthyr Tydfil had the lowest turnout at 11.9% and the Vale of Glamorgan the highest at 19.62%Turnout across the South Wales force area was 15.1%. Of the individual council areas, Merthyr Tydfil had the lowest turnout at 11.9% and the Vale of Glamorgan the highest at 19.62%
There had been warnings about low turnout throughout the campaign for the elections.There had been warnings about low turnout throughout the campaign for the elections.
But Home Secretary Theresa May has said the commissioners will have a mandate to act as the "voice of the people" no matter how many voters take part. The Prime Minister insisted that PCCs do have a mandate
David Cameron said: "Look, turnout was always going to be low when you are electing a new post for the first time.
"But remember, these police and crime commissioners are replacing organisations that weren't directly elected at all."
Stephen Brooks, director of the Electoral Reform Society in Wales, criticised the UK government's handling of the elections.Stephen Brooks, director of the Electoral Reform Society in Wales, criticised the UK government's handling of the elections.
"This election has been a comedy of errors from start to finish," he said."This election has been a comedy of errors from start to finish," he said.
Former Police Minister Alun Michael, the Labour candidate in south Wales, said the way the elections had been set up had been a "disgrace."Former Police Minister Alun Michael, the Labour candidate in south Wales, said the way the elections had been set up had been a "disgrace."
Caerphilly MP Wayne David tweeted that after verification in his constituency, "some ballot boxes had no votes in them".Caerphilly MP Wayne David tweeted that after verification in his constituency, "some ballot boxes had no votes in them".
Voters went to the polls on Thursday when elections were held in all parts of England and Wales outside London.Voters went to the polls on Thursday when elections were held in all parts of England and Wales outside London.
The newly-created commissioners, who replace unelected police authorities, will have the power to set budgets and appoint chief constables. They will not be responsible for day-to-day operations.The newly-created commissioners, who replace unelected police authorities, will have the power to set budgets and appoint chief constables. They will not be responsible for day-to-day operations.
The supplementary vote system was used where there were more than two candidates, with voters marking the ballot paper with a first and second choice of candidate.The supplementary vote system was used where there were more than two candidates, with voters marking the ballot paper with a first and second choice of candidate.