Voters are heading to the polls to elect a new Welsh Government on Thursday against the backdrop of coronavirus and debate about the country’s future relationship with the United Kingdom.
Voting opens at 7am until 10pm, but unlike previous years counting and declarations will take place the following day due to rules designed to ensure the safety for those working to count and verify ballots.
The 2021 Welsh Parliament election is the first since the legislature was renamed from the National Assembly of Wales as well as the first in which 16 and 17-year-olds can vote.
But issues stemming from the pandemic have unsurprisingly dominated discussions, debates and headlines in the lead up to polling day.
BBC News
Published
image captionThe election will decide the make up of the 60-member Senedd
Wales political parties made their final pitches to voters on Wednesday as the Senedd election campaign came to a close.
Party leaders campaigned in key seats in north, south and mid Wales.
UK Conservative Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited Rhyl in north Wales while Labour leader Mark Drakeford headed to Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price focused on Llanelli while the Welsh Lib Dems Jane Dodds visited Ystradgynlais.
Voting will begin at 07:00 BST on Thursday, with counting not taking place until Friday because of the pandemic.
Where the party leaders are today and what it tells us about the seats they want to win in Thursday s election
There are just two days to go before the Senedd election in Wales
Welsh Labour Leader and Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford and Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner campaigning at The Factory in Porth, Rhondda - a key target seat for Labour (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency)
There are always big stories on WalesOnline - don t miss any with our daily emailInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Sign me up now
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
BBC News
Published
image captionAdam Price was campaigning in Ystrad Mynach on Monday
Parties have begun their last week of campaigning for the Senedd elections, with senior figures travelling across Wales.
Plaid Cymru s Adam Price accused Welsh Labour of having a woeful economic legacy .
The Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said anything other than a vote for his party would allow separatists in through the back door .
Labour s Mark Drakeford is campaigning in south Wales.
Meanwhile Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds is in Wrexham.
Voters go to the polls in the Welsh Parliament elections on 6 May.
He claimed the Welsh Labour government had not been proactive enough .