WIREDGOV

The Electoral Commission – the independent elections watchdog – has welcomed the publication of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill as an important step in setting out the rules under which a referendum on voting reform will take place. 

The Commission today published a paper setting out its position on the timing of the referendum, which is due to take place on 5 May 2011, the same day as scheduled elections to the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales, Northern Ireland Assembly, 280 local authorities in England and possible local elections in Northern Ireland.

Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, commented: “Our priority is making sure that everyone who goes to the polls on 5 May can cast their vote safely and easily whether it’s in an election, a referendum or both.”

“It is possible to successfully deliver these different polls on 5 May, but only if the risks associated with doing so are properly managed. We’ve set out what we think these risks are and will make it clear during the passage of the Bill if we do not feel they have been adequately addressed.” 

The Electoral Commission is responsible for the conduct of the referendum and for ensuring the accuracy of the result. The Chair of the Commission, Jenny Watson, would be the Chief Counting Officer. This differs from elections where local Returning Officers are responsible for the poll, and the Commission has an oversight function.  

The Commission also has a role in assessing the proposed referendum question, to ensure it is intelligible to voters. The assessment, which we will publish, will include public opinion work with voters and take around 10 weeks to complete.

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For more information

press@electoralcommission.org.uk
Office hours: 020 7271 0704
Out of office hours: 07789 920414

Notes to editors

1. The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Our aim is integrity and public confidence in the UK’s democratic process. We regulate party and election finance, set standards for well-run elections and are responsible for the conduct and regulations of referendums held under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000). 
2. The Electoral Commission has no role in the review of UK Parliamentary boundaries also proposed by the Electoral Reform Bill. The Boundary Commissions for England, for Scotland, for Northern Ireland and for Wales have responsibility for carrying out boundary reviews.
3. The Commission’s paper – ‘Voting at different polls on 5 May 2011 – the Electoral Commission’s position – is available here.
4. The Commission has set out its role in the running of the referendums here:
   http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/87412/Referendum-Principles-Paper-2010-06-02-FINAL.pdf
5. The Commission has set out its approach to assessing the intelligibility of referendum questions:
   http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/82625/Referendum-Question-statement-final.pdf
6. The Chair of the Electoral Commission would be the Chief Counting Officer for the referendum, responsible for its conduct and ensuring the accuracy of the overall result.  The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 also gives the Electoral Commission responsibility for:

• Commenting on the intelligibility of the referendum question
• Registering those that want to spend significant amounts on campaigning in the referendum
• Appointing lead campaign groups (‘designated organisations’) for each outcome
• Ensuring that designated organisations have access to certain assistance, including grants that the Commission determines within statutory limits
• Monitoring and reporting on campaign spending
• Reporting on the administration of the referendum