Senedd election platform rules updated for 2026

From February 2026, Wales has tidied the rules that power the Welsh Elections Information Platform so it lines up with the Senedd’s newer voting law. This matters because what you read online should match what returning officers use in real life. The changes sit alongside the Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025 and arrive ahead of the May 2026 election, so timelines and terminology are consistent. Sources: legislation.gov.uk and the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru. (legislation.gov.uk)

You’ll see clearer labels for who is standing. The regulations now distinguish between an individual candidate and a party list candidate. That mirrors the reformed system for 2026: Wales has 16 larger constituencies, each electing six Members by closed party lists, and you have one vote. Parties submit ordered lists; independents can still stand as individuals. This is set out in the 2025 conduct order on legislation.gov.uk. (legislation.gov.uk)

The term election address is also tightened. Instead of pointing to older law, it now references article 67 of the 2025 Order-the rule that gives candidates and parties the right to send two freepost election communications. Aligning the platform with article 67 means the online election address you read follows the same ground rules as the postal version. (legislation.gov.uk)

The platform’s must‑publish list is refreshed to match the 2025 Order. In practice, you’ll find the notice of election, the statement of parties and persons nominated, the notice of poll with polling station locations, information that accompanies postal ballots, and the returning officer’s decisions on doubtful ballot papers. These map to rules 3, 17, 31, 32(2) and 62 of Schedule 5. (legislation.gov.uk)

One small but helpful tweak for local elections: candidate statements for principal councils no longer have to be in Times New Roman. The 180‑word limit and the do‑and‑don’t content rules still apply, but dropping a fixed font makes it easier to submit accessible statements. The old font line lived in regulation 11(1)(b) of the 2025 platform rules. (legislation.gov.uk)

For you as a voter, this means a single official site will pull together the key notices, candidate and party information, and polling place accessibility details. The Electoral Management Board (part of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru) is building the platform with postcode search and plans to have it live by March 2026, in time for May’s Senedd poll. (dbcc.gov.wales)

If you’re studying elections, treat the platform as a primary source. Compare a party’s list for your constituency with the names in its online election address, and note how independents appear as individual candidates. Ask whether claims in addresses are specific and check them against party manifestos. Remember: in 2026 you cast one vote for a party list or for an individual.

If you’re a candidate or agent, the platform will publish your election address (Senedd) or candidate statement (local) if it’s on time and compliant. The operator must publish as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than the fourth day before polling day, and legal responsibility for the content sits with you-not the platform. Plan ahead for the submission window the operator will announce. (legislation.gov.uk)

Quick glossary as you browse: an individual candidate is someone standing on their own; a party list candidate is named on a party’s ordered list; a registered nominating officer is the party official who signs off that list. These labels are there to reduce confusion and help first‑time voters read the site with confidence.