Strengthening democratic processes.
Legislation which aims to enhance Scotland’s democratic processes
has been published in the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill includes
provisions to encourage the piloting of electoral innovations
such as digital polling cards and provides powers for elections
to be rescheduled in emergencies, for example a Covid-style
health emergency.
Under the Bill, foreign nationals living and working in Scotland
on a time-limited visa would become eligible to stand as
candidates in Scottish Parliament and local government elections
– in addition to their existing voting rights.
If passed by the Scottish Parliament, the legislation would ban
people from being MSPs if they are found guilty of intimidating
campaigners and electoral workers.
The Bill, introduced to the Parliament by the Scottish
Government, also proposes changes to campaign rules for elections
to improve fairness, transparency, and controls against foreign
spending. It will also allow Ministers to provide funding to
drive up democratic engagement. Following the responses to the
extensive public consultation, the bill does not propose
extending candidacy rights to 16- and-17-year-olds.
Minister for Parliamentary Business said:
“A robust electoral system is fundamental to the success of
Scotland being an inclusive and vibrant democracy that makes
everyone feel included and empowered.
“It is important that as many people in our society as possible
feel they have an effective and independent means to hold
government to account and feel encouraged take an active interest
in politics and civic life including voting and standing for
elections.
“Everyone living in Scotland should have a say on how Scotland is
run and the wide-ranging measures in this Bill share the common
thread of empowering everyone with an interest in improving
democracy.”
Background
The Bill was informed
by a public consultation and will
now be subject to scrutiny in the Scottish Parliament.
