Supplementary memorandum by the Department
for Constitutional Affairs and the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister (VOT 01(b))
When Nick Raynsford and I gave evidence to the
Committees on the subject of Voter Registration, I offered to
provide additional information on some areas and to clarify certain
points. In supplying this note I have also taken the opportunity
to provide further additional information which I hope the Committees
find useful.
MOVING THE
CLOSING DATE
FOR REGISTRATION
The Committees noted the Government's intention
to move the closing date for voter registration to the close of
nominations. We believe that this is in the interest of engaging
the maximum number of people in the electoral process. The Committees
asked whether this change would require primary or secondary legislation.
As the present registration provisions are contained within the
Representation of the People Act 1983, I can confirm that any
alteration will require primary legislation, to be brought forward
when legislative time allows.
IMPACT OF
ROLLING REGISTRATION
The Committees questioned whether figures are
available on the number of people who register by way of rolling
registration. The Government considers that rolling registration
has a positive impact on registration levels and helps to offset
any shortfall in registered electors that may occur at the time
of the annual canvass. There are, however, no available figures
on the actual number of rolling registration applications. The
Electoral Commission is currently undertaking a research project
on voter registration, which will include an assessment of the
impact of rolling registration and is expected to produce figures
on the numbers of persons that register under this method. The
Commission's final report is expected to be published in the Summer
2005.
The Committees also asked if information was
available about the number of applications to register by way
of a declaration of local connection. Information on the number
of such applications is not collected centrally, though it is
thought that the number of these applications is very small.
FUNDING THE
PROMOTION OF
VOTER REGISTRATION
The Committees asked if there was a line in
the budgets of ODPM/DCA that would allow funding of promotion
and support of electoral registration, other than through the
Electoral Commission. I can confirm that there are no such lines.
As the Committees will be aware, the Electoral Commission has
taken over from the Government responsibility at a central level
for promoting electoral registration and the funding of promotional
activity.
PROMOTION OF
VOTER REGISTRATION
The Committees drew attention to concerns expressed
by the Electoral Commission about promotion of registration by
Electoral Registration Officers, and in particular its recommendation
that the Government should clarify the legal position of Returning
Officers in relation to funding publicity to encourage participation.
The Commission has recommended that any outstanding uncertainty
should be removed through explicit legislative provision. In our
response to Voting for Change, the Government explained that we
are keen to encourage participation in democratic processes and
are working with the Electoral Commission to establish best practice
and identify new areas for action. We do not currently believe
legislation is the best way forward in this area, but will consider
other mechanisms to encourage participation.
ACCESS TO
ELECTORAL REGISTERS
The Committees asked for details of the planned
changes to the regulations that govern access to and supply of
electoral registers. A limited package of changes is being developed.
They will address particular issues that have arisen following
the introduction of the Representation of the People (England
and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002. For example, it is proposed
to clarify that certain agencies and organisations, such as the
Security Service, Environment Agency and Financial Services Authority
may be supplied with the full register for specified purposes,
and to provide for the storage of old electoral registers in public
libraries and local authority archives offices. It is intended
to consult on the proposed changes later this year.
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION
IN NORTHERN
IRELAND
I stated during the course of the Committees'
proceedings that the carry-forward in Northern Ireland has been
reinstated, meaning people are able to remain on the register
for one year after they last registered to vote. To clarify, this
is in fact not currently the case, but the Electoral Registration
(Northern Ireland) Bill is presently in Parliament with the aim
of achieving this as soon as possible.
The intention in the long-term is to abolish
the annual canvass, replacing it with an audit on a more infrequent
basis, freeing up time and resources in order to target under
registered groups rather than those who register every year and
do not move properties. This will take longer term planning, however,
and so in order to alleviate the immediate pressure on the comprehensiveness
of the register in Northern Ireland, the changes to the carry-forward
are due to be made. The Bill was introduced into the House of
Lords on 9 February and will have its second reading on 21 February.
If passed, the legislation will have retrospective effect and
will reinstate electors who dropped off the register at the 2004
canvass after having registered in 2003.
Christopher Leslie
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