The Elections Bill
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The Committee has launched an inquiry to examine all aspects of the Elections Bill.
27
Recommendations
23
Conclusions
1
Report
2
Oral sessions
9
Letters
2
Events
Activity timeline 13 events
27 Apr
2022
2022
25 Apr
2022
2022
20 Apr
2022
2022
1 Mar
2022
2022
10 Feb
2022
2022
11 Jan
2022
2022
13 Dec
2021
2021
Report published
22 Oct
2021
2021
21 Oct
2021
2021
14 Sep
2021
2021
Oral evidence
14 Sep
2021
2021
7 Sep
2021
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
14 Sep 2021
View on parliament.uk
Chloe Smith · Cabinet Office
7 Sep 2021
View on parliament.uk
The Elections Bill
Angela Kitching · Age UK
Dr Jessica Garland · Electoral Reform Society
Dr Sam Power · School of Law, Politics and Sociology, University of Sussex
Helen Mountfield QC · Matrix Chambers
Louise Edwards · Electoral Commission
Pete O’Doherty · City of London Police
Peter Stanyon · Association of Electoral Administrators
Professor Justin Fisher · Brunel University London
Professor Toby James · University of East Anglia (UEA)
The Lord Evans of Weardale KCB DL · Committee on Standards in Public Life
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fifth Report - The Elections Bill | HC 597 | 13 Dec 2021 | 50 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
12
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
The Government has committed to respecting devolved competence where they are touched upon in this...
The Government has committed to respecting devolved competence where they are touched upon in this Bill. If this were to change, we expect the Committee and the House to be notified of the reasons for such a change in advance …
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Government Response
The Government stated its commitment to working constructively and coordinating with devolved administrations, highlighting existing regular meetings and official engagement. It welcomed the Scottish and Welsh Governments' consideration of comparable legislation and committed to close collaboration on future proposals.
15
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
There appears to be potential for a contradiction in the drafting of Schedule 1 as...
There appears to be potential for a contradiction in the drafting of Schedule 1 as the provisions setting out both the Voter Card and the Anonymous Voter Card leave open the possibility of a limited period of validity. However, the …
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Government Response
The Government clarified that expired documents remain valid if the photo is a good likeness, and that Voter Cards will not have an expiry date except for temporary ones. The Bill was amended to give EROs flexibility for issuing temporary Voter Cards valid for a single poll.
16
Conclusion
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
The process of carrying out elections in the UK, the ease with which members of...
The process of carrying out elections in the UK, the ease with which members of the electorate can cast their vote, and the trust that is shown in and by the electorate in general is an admirable and crucial tenet …
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Government Response
The government states it has given due regard to its Public Sector Equality Duty, conducted an impact assessment, and designed its voter identification policy with accessibility in mind, including a wide range of accepted IDs and free Voter Cards, to mitigate the risks raised by the committee.
20
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
We are pleased to see that the Government has included a monitoring and reporting requirement...
We are pleased to see that the Government has included a monitoring and reporting requirement for voter ID in the Bill. We recommend that close attention is given not only to the number of people who arrive without appropriate ID, …
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Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to carry out thorough research to assess the implementation and impacts of the voter identification policy, stating it will not be limited solely to mandated data collection.
25
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
The Government’s reasons for making these changes to the laws on postal voting appear valid...
The Government’s reasons for making these changes to the laws on postal voting appear valid and justified to the Committee. The Committee recommends that the Government sets out regulations to the effect that local authorities must notify people in advance …
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Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that Electoral Registration Officers will be required to notify electors of their postal vote expiry date and how to reapply, with similar provisions intended for new applicants via regulations.
30
Conclusion
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
The Committee reiterates the importance in upholding the actual and/or perceived independence of the regulator...
The Committee reiterates the importance in upholding the actual and/or perceived independence of the regulator and considers that effective scrutiny of the Electoral Commission’s work by the UK’s Parliaments is essential to ensuring the Commission is held to account in …
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Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of parliamentary scrutiny and the Electoral Commission's independence, stating that existing ministerial statements and the Elections Bill's section 4B(2) already ensure the Commission considers the Strategy and Policy Statement while maintaining operational independence.
32
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
The Committee considers that the proposed consultation procedures require further clarification to ensure a transparent...
The Committee considers that the proposed consultation procedures require further clarification to ensure a transparent and meaningful consultation process.
Government Response
The government explains that the consultation mechanism for the Strategy and Policy Statement is already detailed in sections 4C, 4D, and 4E of PPERA, specifying consultees, review frequency, and revision procedures, thereby providing the requested clarification.
35
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
At a minimum, under the affirmative procedure, the Government should set a precedent for any...
At a minimum, under the affirmative procedure, the Government should set a precedent for any future governments by committing to find time for a debate on the Floor of the House of the Statement once laid in draft for approval.
Government Response
The Government committed to ensuring that parliamentary time is made available for debates in both Houses of Parliament to scrutinise the Strategy and Policy Statement under the affirmative resolution procedure.
49
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
Acknowledging the need for legislation to keep pace with rapid technological changes, the Government should...
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, to ensure effectiveness in the monitoring and enforcement of the legislation and to …
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Government Response
The Government committed to monitoring the impact of digital imprints and conducting a formal evaluation as part of the wider Bill evaluation process. It also noted existing regulation-making powers to adapt the regime to technological changes.
Correspondence 9 letters
27 Apr 2022
From committee
Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the Elections Bill, dated 26.4.22
Parliament page
25 Apr 2022
To committee
Letter from Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations on the Elections Bill, dated 25.4.22
Parliament page
20 Apr 2022
From committee
Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minister for Intergovernmental Relations on the Elections Bill, dated 12.4.22
Parliament page
1 Mar 2022
To committee
Letter from Matt Stringer, Chief Executive Officer, Royal National Institute of Blind People on the Elections Bill, dated 23.2.22
Parliament page
11 Jan 2022
To committee
Letter from Tom Brake, Director, Unlock Democracy et al on the Elections Bill report, dated 5.1.22
Parliament page
22 Oct 2021
From committee
Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the Elections Bill – follow up to the oral evidence session of 14th September, dated 23.9.21
Parliament page
21 Oct 2021
To committee
Letter from Kemi Badenoch MP, Joint Minister of State for Equalities and Levelling Up Communities on the Elections Bill - Follow up to the oral evidence of 14.9.21, dated 7.10.21
Parliament page
14 Sep 2021
To committee
Letter from Chloe Smith MP, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution on the Elections Bill: Impact Assessment and other matters, dated 8.9.21
Parliament page
7 Sep 2021
From committee
Letter to Chloe Smith MP, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution on Elections Bill impact assessment and other matters, dated 27.8.21
Parliament page