Memorandum by Burnley Borough Council
(PVF 15)
GENERAL
1. Did you experience problems because
the Government was slow in publishing the necessary statutory
instruments?
Yes. Preparing for the election was extremely
difficult as there was not enough time to obtain relevant information
about suppliers or obtain quotes before placing orders.
2. Were problems caused by the very
short time scale between close of nominations and the need to
deliver postal voting documents to electors?
Yes. There was a very tight timescale in which
to check information. Staff were required to work under unnecessary
pressure in order to meet deadlines. This led to increased levels
of stress in the workplace.
3. Earlier pilots had been self selecting—ie
those who were keen and had the resources volunteered. Did the
fact that all-postal ballots were mandatory for these elections
cause problems with skills and resources?
Yes. In addition to the above, there was not
enough time to recruit and train suitable staff. Funding information
was unobtainable therefore elections officers were put under even
more stress.
4. Have you received/reported any allegations
of fraud?
Yes. Police are currently investigating one
allegation of fraud relating to 200 postal proxy votes.
PRINTING AND
DISSEMINATION
5. Was there sufficient printing capacity
to cope with all-postal elections.
Our printer produced the ballot packs on time,
however this does not generally appear to have been the case.
6. Did any of the ballot papers require
re-printing? If so, how many and why.
None.
7. Do you have any comments to make
on the performance of Royal Mail?
No major problems, however Royal Mail were not
able to track the position of our mail. They also made several
changes to the agreed operation plan without prior consultation
or warning.
8. How many ballot papers did you (a)
deliver by hand ? (b) collect by hand?
9. How many electors do you estimate
did not receive ballot papers: (a) by polling day (b) the day
before (c) five days before?
Not known.
VOTING PRACTICALITIES
AND RETURNS
10. Are you aware of any practical difficulties
experience by voters, as a result of: (a) the need to for a signed
witness declaration (b) the dimensions of the ballot envelopes
(c) complex and unclear instructions?
The overall process confused voters and we received
numerous telephone enquiries requesting information/advice on
how to complete the ballot packs.
11. How many and what percentage of
ballot papers (a) arrived back too late to be counted (b) were
not counted because of errors in completion of the ballot paper
or the witness declarations? What percentage were these of the
total votes cast?
12. Did all-postal voting increase turnout?
Borough election turnout 50.08% (last borough
42.4%) European election turnout 50.02 (last European 17.1%)
13. For areas which had previously pilot
postal voting in local elections: was the turnout this year lower
than in previous years when all-postal voting was used?
N/A
COST AND
RESOURCES
14. As a result of using the all-postal
system did you need to bring in: (a) extra staff (b) staff on
overtime?
(b) No. Not able to produce these figures
to date.
15. What was the overall cost of the
election?
Not able to produce these figures to date.
16. For areas with European Elections
only. Was the cost greater than a traditional ballot and if so,
by how much?
N/A
NB. Please note that the overall running of
the elections was extremely difficult because of the added pressures
put on staff due to the short timescale. It was only possible
to provide the election because of the commitment of staff and
the long hours they worked and the pressure they worked under.
If future elections are to be held in this way there will be much
greater financial resources necessary in order to provide additional
staff.
| 
