Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
3
Conclusion
Second Report - The Work of the Elector…
Accepted
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 administrators, political parties, campaigners, and voters to understand and navigate …
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.
4
Recommendation
Second Report - The Work of the Elector…
Accepted
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 statutory instruments for voter ID to come into force and …
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 …
23
Conclusion
Second Report - The Work of the Elector…
Accepted
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 as challenges envisaged by our witnesses in enforcing the regime …
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.
24
Recommendation
Second Report - The Work of the Elector…
Accepted
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, to ensure effectiveness in the monitoring and enforcement of the …
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 …
25
Recommendation
Second Report - The Work of the Elector…
Accepted
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 a separate category for digital campaigning to be included in …
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.