The race to rule Blaenau Gwent has started.

On Wednesday April 6, the full list of candidates who will contest the May local government elections in Blaenau Gwent, was published by the county borough council.

Nomination papers had to be submitted to the council by 4pm on Tuesday, April 5.

This time around there will be nine fewer Blaenau Gwent County Borough Councillors, with the numbers dropping from 42 to 33.

This is due to a re-jig in the ward boundaries recommended by the the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales and agreed last September by the Welsh Government.

As well as the drop in councillors, there will also be two fewer electoral wards, dropping from 16 to 14.

The new arrangements will see nine two member wards and five three member wards come into force.

In total there are 69 candidates vying for 33 seats.

Nominations show that there are 28 Independent candidates 27 Labour candidates, six standing for Plaid Cymru, three for the Conservatives, one for the Green Party.

There are four candidates who have left the description box which explains if they belong to a party or not, blank.

Polling will take place on Thursday, May 5 from 7am to 10pm.

Vote counting will take place on Friday May 6, at the Ebbw Vale Sports Centre Main Hall, Lime Avenue, where the results will also be announced.

The new multi-member electoral wards in Blaenau Gwent are:

·        Abertillery & Six Bells

·        Beaufort

·        Blaina

·        Brynmawr

·        Cwm

·        Cwmtillery

·        Ebbw Vale North

·        Ebbw Vale South

·        Georgetown

·        Llanhilleth

·        Nantyglo

·        Rassau & Garnlydan

·        Sirhowy

·        Tredegar

For more information on the elections, including names of cnadiates standing for election please visit https://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/voting-elections/council-elections-may-2022/