THE candidates standing in the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire constituencies in the 2015 General Election have today (Thursday) officially been confirmed.

All three constituencies are being fought by six main parties (Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and UKIP) with an additional two candidates  in Preseli Pembrokeshire who descibe themselves as 'Independent Save Withybush Save Lives' and 'The New Society of Worth'.

The candidates are:

CEREDIGION:

  • Henrietta Elizabeth Hensher (Welsh Conservative);
  • Gethin James (UKIP);
  • Mike Parker (Plaid Cymru);
  • Huw Thomas (Welsh Labour);
  • Daniel John Thompson (Green Party);
  • Mark Fraser Williams (Welsh Liberal Democrats).

 

PRESELI PEMBROKESHIRE:

  • Frances Bryant (Green Party);
  • Stephen Crabb (Conservatives);
  • Howard Lillyman (UKIP);
  • Rodney Maile (The New Society of Worth);
  • Paul Miller (Labour); John Osmond (Plaid Cymru);
  • Chris Overton (Independent Save Withybush Save Lives);
  • Nick Tregoning (Liberal Democrats).

CARMARTHEN WEST & SOUTH PEMBROKESHIRE:

  • John Atkinson (UKIP);
  • Delyth Evans (Labour);
  • Simon Hart (Conservative);
  • Selwyn Runnett (Liberal Democrats);
  • Gary Tapley (Green Party);
  • Elwyn Williams (Plaid Cymru).

The election takes place on Thursday May 7 and polls will be open between 7am and 10pm.

The deadline to register to vote is April 20.

The Electoral Commission and county councils are calling for anyone who isn’t yet registered to go online and do so at www.gov.uk/registertovote before it’s too late.

The elections watchdog has been running a national media campaign reminding voters that they can’t take part in the election unless they have registered.

Electoral Commission research indicates that recent home movers, young people, students and those from certain black and minority ethnic communities are all less likely to be registered to vote.

The Commission’s campaign aims to let people know that everyone can now easily apply to register online. This is the first General Election where this has been possible.

The (Acting) Returning Officer for Pembrokeshire, Ian Westley, said: “Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible if they want to be able to have their say on a whole range of issues that affect their everyday lives.

“It’s been five years since the last General Election and we don’t want anyone to miss out on having their say on polling day.”

Kay Jenkins, Head of Wales Office at the Electoral Commission, said: “With only one week left until the deadline for getting registered to vote, time is running out for anyone who hasn’t got around to doing it yet.

“It now takes just a few minutes to complete a registration application with the new online system so we are encouraging everyone to do this as quickly as possible before the deadline on 20 April.”

The registration deadline is at midnight on Monday, April 20.

In Ceredigion, more information on registering to vote can be found at www.ceredigion.gov.uk/election

You can also apply for the right forms by contacting Electoral Service, Ceredigion County Council, Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron, Ceredigion, SA46 0PA or calling 01545 572033 / 572279.

In Pembrokeshire you can also apply for the appropriate forms or check your name is on the register by contacting Pembrokeshire County Council’s Electoral Services office at 1 Cherry Grove, Haverfordwest SA61 2NZ or call the special election helpline number 01437 775844 or email: electoralservices@pembrokeshire.gov.uk And you can still vote even if you are away on holiday by applying for a postal vote application form by 5 pm on Tuesday, 21st April or by a proxy application by 5pm on Tuesday, 28th April (non-emergency).

For more information, click onto: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/useyourvote