The Senedd, Wales's local unicameral parliament, plans to expand the number of representative seats in its chamber from 60 to 96 at the next election in 2026.
Currently, Welsh voters choose the person they would like to represent their constituency, but in the planned reform, the choice would now be in support of a party instead of a person.
The BBC reported that a Senedd's cross-party reform bill committee warned in its report that the plan to add more seats in its chamber could actually reduce the choice voters have at the ballot box, with concerns that it could erode the link members of the public have with the politicians they elect if it would not be reconsidered.
In response, the Welsh government said that it would consider the committee's report.
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Lawmakers Warn Erosion of Public Trust If Voting System is Reformed
The committee - composed of Labour, Conservative, and Plaid Cymru MPs - also said that it does not propose an alternative system despite criticizing the Welsh government's planned legislation.
The proposed voting system would change the current one, where voters had two votes to elect a local politician and support a party in their region. Candidates would be elected according to the proportion of voters that supported their parties. The bill would see 16 constituencies in Wales, with six members each.
The closed list system backed by Labor and Plaid Cymru has already been criticized for potentially eroding trust in politicians.
Local Labour MP David Rees said the changes would take away "the voters' choice for who they want" while retaining the choice for which party they wanted.
His report said that the Senedd committee heard evidence that the system would prioritize the influence and wishes of political parties over voters and erode the link between politicians and their constituents.
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