“Bring your own pencil” is the advice to voters visiting their local polling stations next week as Wales faces a democratic process like never before.

The ongoing realities of living with Covid means this year’s Senedd election will be like no other, with counting and electoral staff facing unprecedented challenges to ensure a fair and accurate poll.

With social distancing also meaning fewer counting staff will be on hand at some counts, the process of sorting and eventually counting votes won’t start until next Friday morning, with the final makeup of the new Senedd not expected until early evening.

But as well as facing the challenge of hosting as many as four separate counts when taking Police and Crime and other by-elections into consideration, voters will also feel the changes when they enter the polling booths next Thursday.

Colin Everett of Flintshire Council is the Regional Returning Officer for North Wales, meaning he will be responsible for the smooth running of the regional list count which covers nine separate constituencies.

With planning having been underway for several months, including input from the respective returning officers of all six of the region’s authorities, everything is in place to ensure the democratic process can take place as safely as possible.

“We’ve been thinking about and planning for these elections for some time so that however people choose to cast their vote in May, they can do so safely,” he said.

“We’re putting arrangements in place to help voters and staff stay safe at the polling station. Many of the measures people now expect to see in shops and banks such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks will be in place but you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy.”

At polling stations there will be separate entrances and exits where possible, and some will have a door manager in attendance to ensure social distancing is maintained.

Polling station staff will wear PPE and voters are encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil.

Polling booths will be regularly sanitised.

In addition, voters are asked to wear a face covering and ensure only two voters enter a polling station at a time, while maintaining a safe distance throughout their visit.

Such measures mean voters at busy polling stations may wait longer than usual to vote, with peak times usually being 7am to 9.30am, lunchtime, 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 6pm to 8pm.

However, anyone queuing to vote at a polling station by 10pm will still be able to vote.

Next week’s elections will also be the first where 16 and 17 year old’s will be entitled to vote.