1 Introduction
1. In January 2001, the House approved the appointment
of Mr Sam Younger as the first Chairman of the Electoral Commission.
Mr Younger's appointment was renewed in January 2007, for a further
two years; he thus retires with effect from 1 January 2009. The
Speaker's Committee is grateful to Mr Younger for his leadership
of the Commission through its formative years, and wishes him
well for the future.
2. Parliament established the Electoral Commission
as a body independent of Government. The Chairman of the Electoral
Commission and the other Electoral Commissioners are appointed
by Her Majesty the Queen, following an Address from the House
of Commons. Under section 3 of the Political Parties, Referendums
and Elections Act 2000 (PPERA), Mr Speaker is responsible for
signifying his agreement to a motion being made for such an Address.
In discharging this duty, Mr Speaker works with the Speaker's
Committee, which is appointed under section 2 of the same Act.
Before giving his agreement, Mr Speaker has, following discussion
with the Speaker's Committee, appointed panels comprised of suitably
qualified persons to conduct the preliminary selection process
and thereby to identify candidates. He has made it his practice
to consult widely on the role description, person specification
and procedures applying to the appointment of Commissioners.
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