The second Welsh Assembly election is to be held on Thursday, 1 May, and campaigning is under way.

Four years after the institution was born, the people of Wales will get the chance to deliver their verdict on the Welsh Assembly Government and the opposition parties.

Results will be analysed closely to see what voters have made of the coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Can Plaid Cymru build on its impressive 1999 showing? Are the Conservatives on the road to recovery? Will any of the smaller parties make breakthroughs?

Turnout

The 1997 devolution referendum attracted a turnout of barely 50%; the Yes vote won by a slim 6,721 majority.

That was followed by a more disappointing 45.9% for the election proper.

This May's election could be seen as a vote on the success of the devolution project itself.

It has been an eventful four years.

With inaugural First Secretary Alun Michael quitting barely 10 months after his election and his successor Rhodri Morgan subsequently creating Wales' first partnership government.

But, personalities aside, the parties will have to play up practical achievements when seeking votes in May.

Issues

Looking to win an outright majority this time around, Labour in Wales is aiming to put "clear red water" between itself and the Westminster government, while promoting headline-grabbing policies such as free prescriptions and free breakfasts in primary schools.

The Liberal Democrats will try to claim the credit for many of the achievements of the coalition government, while Plaid Cymru will be trying to take the next step after its dramatic victories four years ago.

The Conservatives won only one constituency seat last time around, although they also gained eight seats via the regional lists. The Tories will be aiming to capture many of the seats they used to win at Westminster.

Voting

Everyone will get two votes. The first is used to elect an AM to a local constituency seat, of which there are 40, and the candidate with most votes will be elected.

The second vote is to elect 20 AM s in five regional constituencies. The results here also depend on how parties have performed in the constituency seats.

Supporters of the system argue that it produces a fairer result which more closely reflects the way Wales as a whole has voted.

The assembly has devolved power in some 17 key policy areas, including economic development, health, education, transport, culture and the Welsh language. But defence, foreign affairs, taxation and policing are still under Westminster control.