Proposals in the UK Government's Strategy for
Elections should significantly improve the system for
voters, parties, campaigners and electoral administrators,
according to the Electoral Commission. Changes to voter
registration, the political finance rules, candidate protection,
and the electoral timetable will bring particular benefits.
With nearly 8 million people not
correctly registered, automatic voter registration should
improve both the accuracy of the electoral register and support
many more to participate. Changes to candidate nomination and
postal vote deadlines would relieve some of the pressure facing
electoral administrators, and improved processes should lead to
better experiences for voters.
New controls on political donations from companies and
unincorporated associations, know-your-donor checks, and
strengthened regulatory powers would close long-standing
loopholes in electoral finance law, increase transparency and
help rebuild voter trust.
The Commission remains opposed to the principle of a Strategy and
Policy Statement (SPS) for the Electoral Commission.
, Chief Executive of the
Electoral Commission, said:
“These reforms will improve the resilience and integrity of our
electoral system, tackling many of the threats it faces and
should improve the experience for voters, campaigners, parties
and administrators.
“Registration reform would open the door for millions more to get
involved in elections, and the proposed changes to the political
finance rules would strengthen the checks on money coming into UK
politics and ensure a more proportionate and effective
enforcement regime.
“We are ready to work with the electoral community to build
understanding and compliance with any new requirements, and to
support voters with information and education resources.”
The Commission does not take a view on franchise changes but will
support the implementation of votes at 16, as it has done in
Wales and Scotland, and further work to help overseas voters. It
will focus on informing new voters and helping them feel
confident about participating in the democratic process: in
particular in robust but respectful debate.
Further work and evidence are needed on some proposals. The
Commission supports proposals for digital voter ID, but using
bank cards as voter ID has risks for security and voter trust.
Commenting on the SPS, the Chair of the Electoral
Commission, John Pullinger, said:
“We remain opposed to the principle of a strategy and policy
statement, by which a government can guide our work. The
independence and impartiality of an electoral commission must be
clear for voters and campaigners to see, and this form of
influence from a government is inconsistent with that role. This
bill offers a timely opportunity to repeal the power for
government to designate a statement.”
