New law aims to modernise Welsh democracy
A new Senedd law which the Welsh Government says will help modernise the electoral administration and remove barriers to democratic engagement has become the first act to be sealed by new First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, since she took office.
The Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill was first introduced to the Senedd in October 2023 and was passed by the Welsh Parliament in July this year.
The new law means that Wales is set to be the first part of the UK to have automatic enrolment to the voting register, following countries like France, Germany and Italy who have a similar system already in place.
It is estimated up to 400,000 people not already registered to vote could be added to the register.
Alongside automatic registration of voters for Senedd and local government elections in Wales, the new act will:
– Establish a new all-Wales body responsible for co-ordinating the effective administration of Welsh elections
– Create a new online voter information platform
– Introduce measures to increase diversity in the membership of the Senedd and local government
The act is also committed to expanding the role and remit of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.
The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said: “Every person living in Wales should have the opportunity to cast their vote in elections that directly impact their lives. Whilst everyone has the right to decide if they vote, automatic enrolment will help break down potential barriers to voting.
“The introduction of this law is a huge step forward in making a system of electoral administration fit for the 21st century.”
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This is a game of find the lady…!
A sleight of hand…
Doesn’t she look pleased with herself…
Next step – get rid of the undemocratic closed lists, that can only lead to an aged Senedd.
I wonder what Mick Antoniw thinks about Cymru’s and especially First Mate Morgan’s relationship with the man who is financing the missile war on his countrymen, women and children…
Modi is turning Russian oil into Iranian ballistic missiles to destroy Ukraine, while pretending to be a peace broker…
No wonder Rishi Ji quit, his Guru is public enemy number one in the charts…Clark of Kent gave Modi Ji a call on July 6th and the UK gov are taking action against Iran and Russia but what about dirty little Mr Natural Modi Ji…
The Reform UK branch of the English nationalist establishment will be popping the corks tonight.
In Lanelli.
Reform is the only party that knows that humans can’t change sex, that Net Zero is an economically suicidal pipe dream, and that mass immigration is a net lose for the UK: all fact-based stuff that is lost on Labour, the Tories, the Lib Dems (sic), and Plaid. That’s why its vote share is going to up and up.
“Reform” not a party but is I understand the only Limited Company that contests elections in the UK.
Farage owns 60% of the Limited Company called “Reform UK Party Ltd”.
What really will modernise democracy is the electorate voting for party other than Labour as Welsh Government.
If the Senedd thinks that this will increase voter share then ,it won’t be putting a cross on a list, but crossing them of their lists.
Democracy would have been better served by adopting STV for Senedd elections instead of Closed Lists. Expect a surge in Reform MSs after the next election.
Why do you not speed off somewhere else. We did not vote for you, you were an aldomran
Also ran