The Work of the Electoral Commission

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 16 Jun 2021 Closed: 1 May 2023 Parliament page
The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up under statute to oversee elections, regulate political finance in the UK and who work to promote public confidence in the democratic process. The Committee’s predecessor recommended that it “should carry out an inquiry into the role and effectiveness of the Electoral … Read more
14 Recommendations
17 Conclusions
1 Report
7 Oral sessions
5 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 22 events
9 Mar
2023
Report published
19 Jan
2023
Report published
15 Nov
2022
Correspondence
1 Nov
2022
Correspondence
20 Oct
2022
Report published
20 Oct
2022
Correspondence
7 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
7 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
20 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
20 Jul
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
29 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
29 Jun
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
7 Dec 2021
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The work of the Electoral Commission
Bob Posner · The Electoral Commission John Pullinger CB · Electoral Commission
20 Jul 2021
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The work of the Electoral Commission
Chloe Hardy · Sheila McKechnie Foundation Chris Weavers · NASUWT The Teachers' Union Dave Timms · Friends of the Earth Dr Jess Garland · Electoral Reform Society Dr Rowan Popplewell · Bond Peter Geoghegan · openDemocracy The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE · House of Lords
29 Jun 2021
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The work of the Electoral Commission
Alan Mabbutt · Conservative Party Amy Killen · Women’s Equality Party Andrew Whyte · Labour Party Geraint Day · Plaid Cymru Jon Nott · Green Party of England and Wales Richard Tice · Reform UK Scott Martin · Scottish National Party The Rt Hon. the Lord Tyler · Liberal Democrats
25 May 2021
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The Work of the Electoral Commission; The Work of the electoral Commision
Alan Halsall · Vote Leave Barry Ryan · Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the Republic of Ireland Dr Alan Renwick · Constitution Unit, University College London Paul Comer · Britain Stronger in Europe Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC Scott Martin · Scottish National Party The Rt Hon. the Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
27 Apr 2021
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the Work of the Electoral Commision
Dr Holly Ann Garnett Dr Theresa Reidy Professor Pippa Norris
9 Mar 2021
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The Work of the Electoral Commission
Dr Alistair Clark Dr Kate Dommett Professor Toby James · University of East Anglia
2 Jul 2020
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The Work of The Electoral Commission
Ailsa Irvine · Electoral Commission Bob Posner · The Electoral Commission Louise Edwards · Electoral Commission
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The Work of the Electoral Commission HC 462 20 Oct 2022 31 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
3 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Work of the El…
The Committee notes the high levels of satisfaction in the Electoral Commission’s role in guiding...
The Committee notes the high levels of satisfaction in the Electoral Commission’s role in guiding the practical administration of elections and delivering referendums. Nevertheless, we remain concerned by the challenges that lie ahead for the Electoral Commission in supporting electoral … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the Voter Identification Regulations have been affirmed by both Houses and are on track to be in force for mid-January and states that the electoral landscape will become more diverse as a result of many factors.
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4 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Work of the El…
We welcome the Government’s recent update that it is taking a staged approach to implementing...
We welcome the Government’s recent update that it is taking a staged approach to implementing the Elections Act 2022, which will support the electoral community in preparing to implement the necessary changes. While there is now limited time for the … Read more
Government Response
The Government laid the draft Voter Identification Regulations before Parliament and affirmed them. The Political Finance and Notional Expenditure statutory instruments are now in force, with the Accessibility statutory instruments due to come into force on 29th December. Timeline and plan has been shared with the Electoral Commission.
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23 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - The Work of the El…
The introduction of digital imprints on paid-for and certain unpaid digital material is welcome, but,...
The introduction of digital imprints on paid-for and certain unpaid digital material is welcome, but, in their current form, the requirements have notable limitations. This includes a potentially wide scope of activity that will not require an imprint, as well … Read more
Government Response
The government believes the digital imprint regime is ambitious, delivers transparency, and is proportionate and enforceable; further, it includes regulation-making powers for the Secretary of State to modify key definitions if needed.
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24 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Work of the El…
As recommended in our Fifth Report of Session 2021–22 on the Elections Bill, acknowledging the...
As recommended in our Fifth Report of Session 2021–22 on the Elections Bill, acknowledging the need for legislation to keep pace with rapid technological changes, the Government should commit to monitoring and conducting regular reviews of the digital imprints scheme, … Read more
Government Response
The government states the digital imprint regime introduced in the Elections Act 2022 will be one of the most ambitious ones in the world. Further, as part of its reporting requirements, the Electoral Commission will monitor the enforcement of digital imprints, including reporting on convictions for digital imprints offenses.
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25 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - The Work of the El…
We agree with the Electoral Commission that each of the four governments of the UK...
We agree with the Electoral Commission that each of the four governments of the UK should amend the rules for reporting spending to provide greater transparency on the money being spent on digital campaigns in their jurisdictions. There should be … Read more
Government Response
The government states that spending on digital campaigning at an election must already be reported and is covered by the current wording in the law, and provides an important level of transparency about campaign spending.
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Government Response AI assessment · 31 of 14 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 19
Deferred 2
Rejected 3
Total 14 recs + 17 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
15 Nov 2022 From committee Letter to Shaun McNally, CEO, Electoral Commission on the work to replace the Electoral Commission's online political finance system, dated 8.11.22
Parliament page
1 Nov 2022 To committee Letter from Shaun McNally CBE, CEO The Electoral Commmission on the work to replace the Commission’s online political finance system, dated 24.10.22
Parliament page
20 Oct 2022 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State on Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission, dated 18.10.22
Parliament page
2 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from Bob Posner, Electoral Commission on follow-up evidence after 2.7.20 oral evidence session, dated 18.8.20
Parliament page
21 Jul 2020 From committee Letter to Bob Posner, Chief Executive, Electoral Commission on follow-up written evidence after the oral evidence session on 2 July, dated 21 .7.2020
Parliament page