Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
2nd Report – Review of the 2024 general election
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 487
Published 22 July 2025
Recommendations
30
Accepted
Consider alternative 'early' and 'flexible' voting methods to enhance election participation
Recommendation
Given this, the Government should, as part of its review, consider whether other means of ‘early’ and ‘flexible’ voting would aid participation in elections. (Recommendation, Paragraph 102)
Government Response Summary
The government is exploring flexible voting options through pilot projects at local elections in May 2026 and 2027, but these will not include online voting or electronic machines.
Conclusions (12)
5
Conclusion
Accepted
Low turnout continues to be an issue of concern but was not due to the administration of the election. (Conclusion, Paragraph 27)
Government Response Summary
The government commits to strengthening the postal and proxy voting system through specific changes outlined in its Strategy for Elections, including new deadlines and increased flexibility. It will also conduct pilot projects in May 2026 and 2027 to trial flexible in-person voting options.
23
Conclusion
Accepted
Recent changes to electoral systems, in particular the greater use of online portals, have provided new and necessary ways for people to engage with the electoral system. However, a consequence of this has been an increase in workload for electoral administrators and others in the electoral system. It appears to …
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the need for greater use of technology and data, outlining plans in its Strategy for Elections to deliver improvements, standardize processes, create automated voter registration, and strengthen data provisions in law.
26
Conclusion
Accepted
The completeness and accuracy of the electoral register has declined over the last thirty years. A consequence of this has been that an event- led registration process has developed, placing considerable additional burden on electoral administrators during their peak period of activity. This burden is unnecessary. The electoral register can …
Government Response Summary
The government is working to create a system of automated registration and will strengthen data provisions and use non-legislative approaches to support Electoral Registration Officers in using data for regular updates. It also intends to explore ways to reduce the burden of repeated applications.
27
Conclusion
Accepted
Data should be shared across government and with appropriate public bodies with the purpose of identifying people who are not on the register or whose details are not up to date. We encourage the Government to develop an automated electoral registration system that actively prompts people to register to vote …
Government Response Summary
The government is working to create a system of automated registration, strengthen data provisions, and use non-legislative approaches to facilitate effective data use by Electoral Registration Officers, aligning with the recommendation for data sharing to update the register. It will also explore ways to reduce the burden of applications for those already registered.
29
Conclusion
Accepted
Postal voting now makes up a significant proportion of votes cast at elections and there is every possibility that the proportion of people voting in this way will continue to increase. There needs to be consideration given to what the purpose and timelines for postal voting should be since it …
Government Response Summary
The government is committed to strengthening the postal and proxy voting system, with changes outlined in its Strategy for Elections including adjustments to application deadlines and allowing earlier replacement of lost/spoilt postal votes. It is also exploring flexible voting options through pilot projects in 2026 and 2027.
33
Conclusion
Accepted
The law should be changed to allow the re-issuing of postal ballot packs earlier than four days before the election. People should also be able to apply to change their method of voting, from postal to in-person or proxy, within the election window. People should be able to hand in …
Government Response Summary
The government states it is developing measures to allow earlier replacement of lost/spoilt postal votes and more flexibility for electors to change voting methods within the election window. It also notes that handing in postal votes at council premises up to election day is already permitted.
40
Conclusion
Accepted
We found the level of service provided by Royal Mail, especially in regard to the delivery of ballot packs and postal votes, encouraging. For as long as postal votes continue to be a substantial and essential part of the voting system, it is imperative that this level of service be …
Government Response Summary
The government states it already works closely with Royal Mail on election preparedness and will continue to do so, believing that Royal Mail's current performance and focus on election mail means no further government or regulatory intervention is needed to maintain service levels.
60
Conclusion
Accepted
The dissemination of information and differing perspectives remains central to a healthy democracy and is essential to effective elections. This has been threatened by the rise in mis- and dis- information, something that has contributed to the decline in trust in the UK’s political system in general and politicians in …
Government Response Summary
The government outlines the Online Safety Act (OSA) and its provisions, which include duties for platforms to remove illegal content, address incitement to violence, and tackle foreign interference, demonstrating existing measures to address mis- and disinformation.
62
Conclusion
Accepted
The abuse, harassment and intimidation seen at the general election was totally unacceptable and antithetical to our democracy. The level and extent to which this occurred is a serious cause for concern. Candidates for election must be able to go door to door and speak in public without fear. (Conclusion, …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the issue and details its existing commitment of £31 million for security for elected officials and candidates, which funded police briefings, dedicated contacts, and private security at events. It also references the Online Safety Act's communication offences.
63
Conclusion
Accepted
It is vital that instances of abuse, harassment and intimidation are identified and addressed quickly. The police have a vital role in defending democracy, and this needs to be carried out proactively, not just reactively. (Conclusion, Paragraph 172)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the threat and details its existing commitment of £31 million for security for elected officials and candidates, funding police briefings, dedicated contacts, and private security. It also mentions the Online Safety Act's communication offences.
64
Conclusion
Accepted
There should be a coordinated and consistent police engagement response with all candidates throughout the country. (Recommendation, Paragraph 172)
Government Response Summary
The government highlights its existing £31 million funding that provides police-led security briefings and a dedicated police contact for security advice (Operation Bridger) to MPs and locally elected officials, including general election candidates.
65
Conclusion
Accepted
Given the rise of online abuse, we agree with the Electoral Commission that Ofcom has a vital role to play ahead of the next election considering their new power and duties. It is vital that work is done early to set up new measures, so that they can be tested …
Government Response Summary
The government highlights the Online Safety Act (OSA), explaining that it lays the foundation for strong online protections and grants Ofcom significant enforcement powers to tackle illegal content, incitement to violence, and foreign interference.