WELSH voters will be grouped in new, larger constituencies when they choose their next Senedd in two years’ time.

Sixteen mega-constituencies will elect six members each under a proportional representation system, as revealed under proposals issued on Tuesday.

At present, there are 60 Senedd members, chosen through a mixture of single-seat constituencies and regional lists.

Under the new system, there will be 96 members. 

The new plans aim to ensure the Senedd more closely reflects the votes cast for each party.

Each new seat combines two of the Westminster constituencies, which were used for the first time in this year’s general election, and saw Wales’s total representation in the Commons fall.

Several of the new seats cover an enormous area, with one encompassing almost 2,000 square miles.

The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, which prepared the proposals, is seeking voters’ views in a short consultation period running to the end of the month.

It will present revised plans in December with a view to finalise boundaries by next March.

Shereen Williams, chief executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, said: “Today marks a very important step in the journey towards reforming the Senedd.

“At the 2026 Senedd election, our national parliament will be elected using an entirely new system, with entirely new constituencies.

“But we know from experience that these processes are always strengthened when we hear from the public.

“So we strongly encourage everyone to share their views with us, so that we can go on to further strengthen the map ahead of the next election.”