An emergency bill to ensure the next Senedd (Welsh Parliament)
election can happen safely, despite the ongoing coronavirus
pandemic, has been approved by Members of the Senedd.
The Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill introduces a range of
measures to make it easier for those affected by the pandemic to
vote.
It will also significantly address the risk of there being an
extended period where the Senedd cannot meet that would arise if
the Senedd dissolved as normal, on 7 April, and the election
could not proceed on 6 May because of the pandemic.
The Welsh Government is clear that the election should go ahead
on 6th May 2021 as intended. Everybody should prepare on that
basis.
But the Bill makes it possible to delay polling day should the
pandemic present such a serious threat to public health and the
conduct of the election, that it is not safe to hold the election
at that time.
The Bill will become law following Royal Assent by Her Majesty
the Queen, which is anticipated in the coming weeks.
Minister for Housing and Local Government, said:
“I’m pleased Members of the Senedd have given their approval for
the Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Bill to become law.
“Given the unpredictable nature of the virus, there is
significant uncertainty about what the public health situation
will be like in May. That’s why we’ve acted now to respond to the
potential risks to the election arising from the pandemic.
“The Bill Members of the Senedd have approved today, by a large
majority, will help ensure people can exercise their democratic
right to vote in the election, but to do so in a safe and secure
way.
“The Welsh Government appreciates the huge efforts being made by
the staff who run our elections to ensure it can be held safely
on Thursday 6th May.”
Notes to editors
Provisions in the Bill include:
An ability for a voter to apply for an emergency proxy vote
where, in the period ahead of the poll, a voter or their already
nominated proxy becomes unable to participate in person on the
day of the poll because of a reason relating to coronavirus, such
as the need to self-isolate;
Allowing the Senedd to keep sitting for up to seven calendar days
before the election (instead of it being dissolved 21 working
days before the election as is usually the case). This will allow
the Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd to continue to
deal with legislation related to the covid pandemic and enable a
postponement of the election should that prove necessary during
the final month before the poll is held;
Allowing for the postponing of the Senedd election for up to 6
months, to a date no later than 5th November 2021, if this is
needed due to public health reasons. The postponement and the
fixing of a new date for the election would be proposed by the
Presiding Officer and would require the agreement of two-thirds
of Members.
The Bill also enables local government by-elections to be
postponed beyond 6 May 2021 if required, to a date no later than
5 November 2021.
The Bill will apply only to Senedd elections and local government
by elections in 2021 and not to any subsequent elections.
