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Electoral Commission Committee
17 June 2021
Lead MP
Steven Baker
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Democracy & Elections
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Steven Baker raised concerns about electoral commission committee in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Mr. Baker suggested a system for voter registration requiring individuals to indicate their principal residence for parliamentary elections and register a secondary address for local elections, aiming to prevent double voting in single elections while ensuring people can vote in multiple areas at different times.
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
Mr. Baker raised concerns about individuals being registered to vote in multiple places simultaneously and suggested that requiring voters to choose one area for parliamentary elections could reduce the risk of double voting, without necessitating a single national database.
Chris Matheson
Lab
Newton
Mr. Matheson acknowledged the issue raised by Mr. Baker and mentioned the Electoral Commission’s 2017 recommendation for considering changes to the registration system. He noted that while it is possible for individuals to be registered in multiple places, voting twice in a single election is illegal. Additionally, he suggested meeting with expert software engineers to discuss potential solutions.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.