Mark Nyack Today at 1:48 PM Dear David Foat Thank you for your email to the Electoral Commission. Further information on our recommendations can be accessed by clicking on the below link: electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/journalist/electoral-commission-media-centre/news-releases-reviews-and-research/id-needed-at-polling-stations,-recommends-independent-watchdog The Commission considered views on a number of options to tighten the electoral system against fraud and we have published a final report which can be accessed by clicking on the below link: electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/164609/Electoral-fraud-review-final-report.pdf Our report highlights our recommendations, which can be seen below: The Commission is making three main recommendations to tighten up the electoral system: 1. Sustained action now to tackle the risk of electoral fraud, particularly in higher risk areas. The Commission has identified a number of areas where there is a higher risk of allegations of electoral fraud (See Notes to Editors 2). Before the May 2014 elections action must be taken to protect the integrity of elections in all areas, but particularly in higher risk areas.In particular:Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) should analyse their areas history of alleged and proven electoral fraud, together with electoral data from previous elections. Based on this analysis, they should plan what steps they will take against fraud - for example, the tests they apply when considering applications to register to vote. Police forces should have plans in place for policing elections, drawn up in consultation with EROs and ROs. Policing plans are likely, for example, to identify specific areas where policing operations on the ground might need to be strengthened, such as around individual polling stations. Candidates, political parties and other campaigners should publicly make clear their commitment to following the Code of Conduct for campaignersThe Commission will continue to closely monitor those areas where there is a higher risk of allegations of electoral fraud in 2014 and beyond, and provide continuing guidance and support to EROs, ROs and police forces across the UK. 2. Restricting the involvement of campaigners in absent vote administration processes by the 2015 elections. Campaigners should no longer handle postal or proxy vote application forms or completed postal ballot papers. The Commission will discuss these changes with political parties and other campaigners and introduce a revised Code of Conduct for Campaigners for elections after May 2014, including the May 2015 UK Parliamentary general election.Details of which parties and campaigners have agreed to follow the code will be made public. 3. Introducing the requirement for voters to produce ID at polling stations to be implemented after the 2015 elections. Voters should be required to show proof of their identity before they can be issued with a ballot paper at polling stations for elections and referendums in Great Britain. The Commission will publish detailed proposals for a proof of identity scheme by the end of 2014 and wants to see this change in place by no later than the 2019 European and English local government elections. Kind regards Mark Nyack Public Information Officer The Electoral Commission 3 Bunhill Row London EC1Y 8YZ Tel: 020 7271 0728 Fax: 020 7271 0505 electoralcommission.org.uk Make sure you are registered to vote Follow us on Twitter We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English Putting voters first * Please consider the environment before printing this email.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:10:46 +0000
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