Welcome to our live coverage of the Senedd 2026 election results as counting gets under way across Wales following one of the most significant votes in the nation’s political history.
Voters headed to the polls on Thursday in the first Senedd election to use Wales’ new fully proportional voting system, with 96 Members of the Senedd set to be elected across 16 new super constituencies.
The first results are expected from around 2pm, with declarations due throughout the afternoon and evening as the political future of Wales begins to take shape.
We’ll bring you the latest results, reaction, key moments and analysis throughout the day as parties battle to secure power in Cardiff Bay.
7:30am – First results expected this afternoon
Counting to get under way across Wales, with ballot papers being verified and votes counted in all 16 of the country’s new super constituencies.
This is the first Senedd election to use Wales’ new fully proportional voting system, with 96 Members of the Senedd set to be elected under the D’Hondt method. The changes are expected to make the final result far less predictable than in previous elections.
The first declarations are expected from around 2pm this afternoon, with results continuing to come in throughout the day and into the evening.
You can read more about what happens next and how the new voting system works here: https://www.wales247.co.uk/what-happens-next-as-votes-are-counted-in-the-senedd-2026-election
Political parties across Wales will now be anxiously waiting to see whether the new electoral system delivers a dramatic shift in the balance of power in Cardiff Bay.
7:00am – Parties may need to work together to form Wales’ next government
One of the biggest questions hanging over today’s Senedd election count is not simply which party will emerge on top, but whether any party will be able to govern Wales alone.
Under the new fully proportional voting system, experts believe coalition politics could become the new normal in Cardiff Bay, with parties likely needing to work together to form a government.
The changes are designed to make the final makeup of the Senedd more reflective of how people voted across Wales, but that also makes outright majorities far less likely than under previous elections.
You can read more about why coalition governments could now become a regular feature of Welsh politics here: Why coalition politics could become the new normal in Wales
6:00am – Poll highlighted growing pressure on Labour ahead of Senedd results
Earlier this week, a major opinion poll suggested Plaid Cymru was leading the race for power in Wales ahead of today’s Senedd election count, underlining just how unpredictable this election had become.
The poll pointed towards a potentially historic result, with Labour’s long-standing dominance of Welsh politics facing one of its toughest challenges since devolution began in 1999.
It also highlighted the growing support for smaller parties under the new fully proportional voting system, with the possibility of coalition negotiations expected to play a major role once the final results are declared.
You can read more about the poll and what it suggested for the future of Welsh politics here: https://www.wales247.co.uk/plaid-cymru-leads-race-for-power-in-wales-ahead-of-senedd-election
