Welsh assembly election: Error found on ballot papers

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Ballot papers being tipped onto a deskImage source, Getty Images

Assembly election ballot papers for postal voters in three constituencies have been re-printed after a mistake was found in the voting instructions.

The error was on regional ballot papers in the constituencies of Ceredigion, Preseli Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.

The original papers stated electors should "vote for only one candidate", rather than "vote only once".

Regional AMs are elected from party lists, or as independent candidates.

The incorrect grey-coloured ballot papers are being replaced by tan-coloured papers, which are being sent out with new voter instructions and a letter explaining the mistake.

People in the affected constituencies, which are in the Mid and West Wales region, who have already sent in their postal votes are being asked to vote again in the regional ballot using the replacement paper.

Regional Returning Officer Mark James said: "It appears that a computer error by printers who prepare papers for Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire led to an unfortunate misprint.

"This has only affected postal votes in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire constituencies.

"Papers have been reprinted and reissued and will arrive with those voters affected by the weekend."