SECOND SPECIAL REPORT
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee has agreed
to the following Special Report:
FURTHER RESPONSE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO
THE SECOND REPORT FROM THE NORTHERN IRELAND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
OF SESSION 1997-98, "ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE IN NORTHERN IRELAND",
HC316
1. In July 1997, we announced an enquiry into electoral
malpractice in Northern Ireland and reported on the subject in
March 1998.[1]
In late July 1997, just after we had announced our enquiry, the
Secretary of State ordered a review of electoral malpractice in
Northern Ireland in response to allegations of extensive personation
at polling booths in Northern Ireland at elections in May 1996
and May 1997.
2. The Secretary of State replied to our Report in
June 1998.[2]
In her reply, she commented:
"As you know, in July of last year I established
my own Review of electoral procedures in Northern Ireland and
it will shortly complete its deliberations. Whilst I am not able
to give any firm commitment to change until I consider that report
I am happy to give my initial response to some of the various
issues addressed in your report, and I will provide you with a
more substantive reply in the light of my own Review — probably
in mid-August."
3. In the event, the Report of the Elections Review
was published in October 1998[3]
and the Government has since consulted widely on it. On 25 May,
the Secretary of State wrote to the Chairman, explaining why the
consultation period (originally intended to last until Christmas
1998) had been more extended than originally planned and enclosing
a full response to our Report. The letter also states that improvements
in other important aspects of electoral procedure will be announced
in due course. These will include measures to improve access for
the disabled to polling stations and measures on voter education.
4. The Secretary of State's letter and the Government's
further response to our Report on electoral malpractice in Northern
Ireland are reproduced as Appendices I and II respectively.
1 Second Report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee,
Session 1997-98 (HC316) Back
2 Second
Special Report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Session
1997-98 (HC781) Back
3 Administering
Elections in Northern Ireland, Cm 4081 Back
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