Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Deferred
Current election assessment criteria lack rigor, requiring more objective measures
Conclusion
While the Electoral Commission have rightly reported that each general election on which they have reported was well run, there have also been repeated concerns raised. While we do not doubt the Electoral Commission’s overall assessment of this or previous elections, we do note that there could be improvements to make the assessment criteria more rigorous and measurable, allowing for better comparability between elections. This includes where stresses are being felt and increasing, and where the existing system needs to be adapted to the way people are living their lives. It is good that the public opinion survey shows a high level of trust in the election but, by itself, this should not be taken as a measure of how well run an election is. It is vital that there are more objective measures that can be pointed to. (Conclusion, Paragraph 15)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government rejects producing an annual readiness report, stating that planning and contingency for elections are the responsibility of independent Returning Officers and the Electoral Commission. It commits to introducing legislation to ensure senior officials hold the Returning Officer role and to continue working with stakeholders to support election readiness.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
The Government supports the principles set out by the Committee on the importance of clear assessments of elections delivery and we are keen to work with the Committee to develop a greater understanding of this. It is important that there is a widespread understanding of what election failure looks like, but it is also important this recognises that these concepts are contested. Any impartial assessment of election delivery cannot be made by government alone and instead requires extensive input of civil society. The Government acknowledges the recommendation to establish criteria for assessing the effectiveness of election delivery and appreciates the Committee’s efforts in examining this important issue. We recognise that the responsibility for this recommendation rests with the Electoral Commission. While the Government and Commission both judge the 2024 General Election to have been delivered successfully, we acknowledge that delivery was not without its challenges. The Government has already taken action to review the existing system and processes within which elections operate. As set out in our Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections, this Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and encouraging full participation in our elections. We must ensure every eligible elector is able and encouraged to take part, while also ensuring the security and robustness of our elections. This is why, alongside the delivery of manifesto commitments, we conducted between October 2024 and April 2025 a strategic Review of Electoral Registration and Conduct. This Review was launched in response to the administrative challenges we know are faced by the electoral sector, many of which were also highlighted throughout the Committee’s inquiry. Conducted in partnership with the electoral sector, the Review worked to identify the biggest challenges and pain-points in our current processes, and to develop practical and pragmatic approaches to address them. The Review produced multiple recommendations aimed at strengthening the resilience, efficiency, and integrity of electoral processes across the UK. The full list of recommendations being brought forward at this time have been published on GOV.UK as an Annex to the Government’s Strategy for Elections, while further recommendations remain under active consideration and may inform future policy development, subject to wider priorities. We await any further proposals from the Commission on the Committee’s recommendation for assessing the effectiveness of election delivery and related matters and, as always, stand prepared to work with them and with wider sector stakeholders to ensure an effective outcome. We also note the Committee’s conclusions in relation to turnout at elections. The Government remains committed to strengthening our valued democracy and encouraging participation by legitimate voters, as set out in our manifesto. Work has already begun to explore how levels of democratic engagement among the electorate may be improved, and the Government will also continue to engage with young people, as it did in the development of the Strategy for Elections, to ensure their increased engagement in our vibrant democracy. Early engagement by younger voters will build the foundations for their lifetime participation in our electoral processes, in turn boosting our democracy.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗