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Electoral Commission Committee
22 July 2021
Lead MP
Alistair Carmichael
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementDemocracy & Elections
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Alistair Carmichael raised concerns about electoral commission committee in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
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
Carmichael questioned the adequacy of data on electoral fraud used to support government proposals for voter ID, noting that while levels of proven fraud are low, the commission should conduct a more robust data gathering exercise before advocating for changes in voter identification.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Carmichael raised concerns about the adequacy of data on electoral fraud used to support the introduction of voter ID laws, questioning the necessity given low levels of proven fraud. He urged for a more substantial data gathering exercise before any changes are made.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Gwynne inquired about the potential effects of proposed voter ID laws on electoral participation, highlighting concerns that mandatory voter ID could suppress turnout. He asked for more information on what the Electoral Commission is doing to increase participation.
Government Response
Matheson acknowledged low levels of proven fraud but highlighted the Electoral Commission's concern about voting at polling stations remaining vulnerable to personation without identity checks. He also noted that while pilots in 2018 and 2019 showed no significant impact on turnout, more data is needed for a national poll. He emphasised that any ID requirements should be secure, accessible, and realistically deliverable.
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Assessment & feedback
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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.