Concerns over PCC mandate after record-low turnout
A 'detailed inquiry' will held into the Police and Crime Commissioner polls. In Gwent, only 14.3% voted - many places saw no ballots at all.
A 'detailed inquiry' will held into the Police and Crime Commissioner polls. In Gwent, only 14.3% voted - many places saw no ballots at all.
Independents take North Wales and Gwent, while the Conservative candidate wins in Dyfed Powys. Labour wins in the South Wales region.
Counting will get underway later this morning, in elections for new Police and Crime Commissioners for each of Wales' forces.
Including second votes, there was 5112 votes between winner and runner up, says Adrian Masters.
Political Editor Adrian Masters tweets that Welsh Labour is acknowledges it has lost both the Gwent and North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner elections, along with Dyfed Powys.
In Gwent, he adds, "it now looks inevitable" that independent candidate Ian Johnston, a former superintendent, will win.
Newly-elected Police & Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys Christopher Salmon has issued a statement following his win.
"It is a great privilege to be elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys. I am extremely grateful for the trust people have shown in me."
“Police and Crime Commissioners are an important reform to our local government. Like all such changes they are also controversial."
"To those who still harbour doubts, I am listening. I will work to ensure that the role becomes an influential, respected and - most importantly - effective position."
In North Wales, it's now between Independent candidate Winston Roddick with 25,715 votes and Labour's Tal Michael with 23,066 votes.
Second preferences are now being counted.
conservative win in Dyfed Powys
From @kevingashford on Twitter:Gwyther (lab) 31773 Salmon (Con) 32887
From @kevingashford on Twitter:running total now for Dyfed Powys Lab 28298 Con 28706 ...just waiting for Ceredigion declaraion
From @kevingashford on Twitter:408 votes between Lab and Con in Dyfed Powys count ...waiting for Ceredigion declaration ...Con narrow lead
From @kevingashford on Twitter:Ceredigion had lowest turnout in Dyfed Powys at 14.8 per cent
From @kevingashford on Twitter:Independent Ian Johnston and Labour’s Hamish Sandison go through to a second round of voting, Political Editor Adrian Masters confirms.
In the first round, Mr Johnston is leading Mr Sandison by 495 votes.
Delyn MP and Shadow Police Minister David Hanson has described the turnout in the election as "shambolic".
"The buck stops with the Goverment" he said, as he watched the election count in Flintshire.
'"They refused a free post and they refused to promote this in an effective way".
Supporters of independent PCC candidate Ian Johnston are confident he’s done well across Gwent: enough to go to a second vote?
From @adrianmasters84 on Twitter:Gwent PCC election second count likely: reports ind Ian Johnston has won Caerphilly; Labour’s Hamish Sandison has won Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent
From @adrianmasters84 on Twitter: