Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 31
31
The Committee considers that the substantive duty of the Electoral Commission to “have regard to...
Recommendation
The Committee considers that the substantive duty of the Electoral Commission to “have regard to the Statement” should be clarified. We recommend that the Bill be amended to provide that the Electoral Commission is able to depart from the guidance set out in the Statement if it has a statutory duty to do so or if it reasonably believes it is justified in specific circumstances. This amendment is necessary to give effect to the Government’s stated intention that the Statement will not amount to a power to direct the Electoral Commission, and to protect the Electoral Commission’s independence. (Paragraph 150) The Elections Bill 69
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 10 February 2022. Response attribution to this recommendation has not been verified. Read the response document ↗