Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Postal Votes

Thursday 27 April 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kevin Brennan asked about recent discussions between the Speaker's Committee and the Electoral Commission regarding postal vote security.
  • The Electoral Commission emphasized that postal voting is secure and popular, with measures in place to prevent fraud.
  • Kevin Brennan noted instances where Conservative party materials encourage returning postal vote applications to Tory headquarters instead of local authorities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Brennan Lab
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question arises from concerns about the security measures in place for postal voting and the potential for fraud or disenfranchisement.

Question

What recent discussions has the Committee had with the Electoral Commission on the security of postal votes?

Answer from Cat Smith

The Speaker's Committee has not held recent discussions on the matter. The Electoral Commission highlights that voting by post is a safe and popular method of voting, with safeguards in place to protect against fraud. The voluntary code of conduct makes it clear that political parties and campaigners should not assist in completing a ballot paper or handle completed ballot papers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The absence of recent discussions between the Speaker's Committee and the Electoral Commission on postal vote security was highlighted, while the answer focused on general statements about the safety and safeguards of voting by post.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Kevin Brennan Lab
Democracy & Elections Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns were raised regarding Conservative party leaflets encouraging people to return postal vote applications to Tory headquarters and the lack of voter ID requirements, which could disenfranchise voters.

Question

I think the Speaker's Committee should have discussions about this issue. Has my hon. Friend seen some recent examples of Conservative party leaflets, where people are being encouraged to return postal vote applications to Tory headquarters rather than back to the local authority, and where millions of people are being disenfranchised through lack of voter ID? Leaflets have also gone out—in Norwich, for example—saying that people do not need ID to vote. Should not the Electoral Commission take the view that although such practices may technically be legal, they are in fact harmful to our democracy?

Answer from Cat Smith

The code of conduct is of course voluntary, but the code of conduct for campaigners states that parties can provide applications for postal votes but the forms must include the address for the electoral registration officer as the preferred address, even if an alternative address is provided. Campaigners should send on any application forms they receive to the relevant address within two working days, and the commission recommends that any concerns that the code has been breached should be raised first with the candidate, political party or campaigner in question, and any further concerns should be drawn to the attention of the commission. The commission is aware of the Conservative party leaflet in Norwich and has had conversations with the party.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While providing details about the code of conduct for campaigners and the Electoral Commission's awareness of specific practices, the answer did not directly address whether stronger action should be taken by the commission on these issues.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)