THOUSANDS of voters are being denied their right to vote in the upcoming elections.

Across Gwynedd, the Electoral Reform Society estimates 25,270 residents will not have a say in the democratic process as councillors are elected before a single vote has been cast.

Twenty-one seats in the county - 14 of which are in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd - are returning councillors without opposition as they are the sole candidate for their seat, the worst record of all the Welsh counties.

Unopposed councillors mean local residents will not be able to express an opinion on the future of key services and council tax levels.

Jess Blair, director of Electoral Reform Society Cymru, said: “Local elections are one of the main opportunities for voters to have our say over services that affect our everyday lives. But with nearly 130,000 people across Wales having no choice at the upcoming elections, that opportunity is being taken away for many of us.

"Welsh residents are being denied a voice - to the detriment of our democracy and our services."

Councillors standing unopposed in Dwyfor Meirionnydd are

Abererch: Peter Read (Plaid Cymru)

Llanbedrog: Angela Ann Russell (Ind)

Llanystumdwy: Aled Lloyd Evans (PC)

Nefyn: Gruffydd Williams (PC)

Porthmadog West: Evan Selwyn Griffiths (PC)

Aberdyfi: Robert Dewi Owen (Ind)

Brithdir/Llanfachreth/Ganllwyd/Llanelltyd: Peredur Jenkins (PC)

Corris/ Mawddwy: John Pughe Roberts (Ind)

Llandderfel: Elwyn Edwards (PC)

Llangelynin: Louise Hughes (Ind)

Llanuwchllyn: Alan Jones Evans (PC)

Penrhyndeudraeth: Gareth Thomas (PC)

Teigl: Linda Ann Wyn Jones (PC)

Y Bala: Dilwyn Morgan (PC)