A new inquiry that will examine the Government’s controversial
Elections Bill, part of
which would require voters to show ID at polling stations, has
been launched by the cross-party Public Administration and
Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC).
When introducing the proposals to Parliament on 5 July, the
Government claimed that they were necessary to protect the
integrity of elections. However, they immediately faced criticism
from a range of independent organisations arguing that the
measures to require voter ID and to restrict the number of voters
a proxy could vote on behalf of would make it harder for minority
ethnic, working class and older people to vote.
The Bill would also make changes to restrictions on third-party
and online campaigning. Currently, campaigners in England not
from registered political parties must meet transparency rules if
their general election spending breaks £20,000. The new rules
would bring this limit down to £10,000, in line with the rest of
the UK. However, third party campaigners told PACAC MPs last week
that the complexity of meeting transparency requirements could
deter interest groups from campaigning at all. The witnesses to
the Committee’s ongoing inquiry into the work of
the Electoral Commission added that there was a ‘complete
lack of consultation’ on the new proposals.
Part of the Bill would see the Government increase its influence
over the direction of the Electoral Commission and there are also
provisions to curb foreign interference by banning non-voting
individuals and organisations based abroad. These aspects will
also be examined in the new inquiry.
Other proposals in the Bill, and within the scope of the inquiry,
include:
- Reform of registration for postal voting;
- Clarification of the definition of ‘undue influence’ such as
deception and intimidation;
- Removal of restrictions on who can accompany people with
disabilities to the polls;
- Extending voting rights to some EU Nationals;
- Scrapping the 15-year limit at which Brits overseas lose
their right to vote;
- Implementation of digital imprints on online campaign
advertising.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the inquiry about the Elections
Bill, or on related matters that are overlooked by the
Government’s plans, should submit their evidence to the inquiry
here before 6pm on 31
August 2021.
Committee Chair said, “These proposals make significant
changes to the implementation of and potentially participation in
elections. It’s natural that they are properly interrogated and
claims by the Government that the plans would protect our
democracy are tested before implementation. Although few would
argue against shoring-up our electoral system in principle, it’s
critical to ensure that it is done correctly, that it is fair,
and that it is necessary to do so.”
