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04/11/2011
Changes To The Electoral System Raise Concerns
The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee has raised a number of concerns regarding the Government's decision to move a system of electoral registration in 2014-15, to replace the existing outdated system of registration by household.
The committee said that levels of registration will fall, at least at first, by an uncertain amount, and that if this fall is uneven across the country, it will have a marked and potentially partisan effect on the parliamentary constituency boundaries to be used at the 2020 general election.
It concluded that this risk is enhanced by the Government's proposal to make voter registration voluntary, and to make it easy to opt out of the registration process.
The committee also recommended that it should initially be an offence to fail to complete a voter registration form, as is currently the case in Northern Ireland.
Chair of the committee, Graham Allen MP, said: "Getting individuals to take responsibility for their own votes is the right thing to do, but it needs to be done in the right way. There are real risks in moving to a new system, not least that people with the right to vote could fall off the electoral roll in large numbers. This would be damaging to democracy, to public engagement in politics, and to the fairness of the basis on which MPs are elected. The transition to individual registration will only be a true success if the electoral rolls become not only more accurate but also more complete. The amendments which we propose—especially on the 2014 canvass and on not opting out—are essential if IER is to command public confidence and not to be seen as unfair and politically partisan."
(CD)
The committee said that levels of registration will fall, at least at first, by an uncertain amount, and that if this fall is uneven across the country, it will have a marked and potentially partisan effect on the parliamentary constituency boundaries to be used at the 2020 general election.
It concluded that this risk is enhanced by the Government's proposal to make voter registration voluntary, and to make it easy to opt out of the registration process.
The committee also recommended that it should initially be an offence to fail to complete a voter registration form, as is currently the case in Northern Ireland.
Chair of the committee, Graham Allen MP, said: "Getting individuals to take responsibility for their own votes is the right thing to do, but it needs to be done in the right way. There are real risks in moving to a new system, not least that people with the right to vote could fall off the electoral roll in large numbers. This would be damaging to democracy, to public engagement in politics, and to the fairness of the basis on which MPs are elected. The transition to individual registration will only be a true success if the electoral rolls become not only more accurate but also more complete. The amendments which we propose—especially on the 2014 canvass and on not opting out—are essential if IER is to command public confidence and not to be seen as unfair and politically partisan."
(CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
