Report on the use of the marked electoral register
From Democracywiki
Central Lobby
The Electoral Commission published its recommendations to the Government on the use of marked electoral registers and polling progress information on 18th February 2005. Marked electoral registers show who has voted in polling stations but not how they voted. Recent innovations in voting methods and data protection requirements have raised questions about such registers and their use.
The Electoral Commission recommend that the law is changed in order that:
- Marked electoral registers of votes cast by post (or by electronic means) and returned prior to polling day (also known as polling progress information) should not be supplied to political parties, candidates and agents before the close of poll. However, lists of those who have requested a postal vote should be made available prior to the close of poll to political parties, candidates and agents for electoral purposes - in line with the access arrangements for the electoral register
- Marked registers should be available for public inspection under supervision after the close of poll, in line with the access arrangements for the electoral register, and copies should be made available to political parties, candidates and agents for electoral purposes.
- An elector who has voted by post should be able to check with their Returning Officer whether their postal vote has been received, subject to identity checks.
- Returning Officers are able to supply replacement postal ballot papers in the event that they have not been received, subject to identity checks.
A copy of the report can be downloaed from the Electoral Commission's website
