May 2021 Local Elections Covid-19 2020-12-17
2020-12-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the May 2021 local elections being held amidst the pandemic, with no clear plan from the government on how to ensure safety and security.
What plans does the Government have to ensure that the May 2021 local elections are covid-19 secure?
The UK Government are working with local returning officers, the Electoral Commission and public health bodies to identify and resolve the challenges involved in delivering the elections next May.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific plans or measures that have been put in place.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning why the government has ruled out an all-postal ballot despite the logistical challenges brought about by the pandemic.
Why have the Government ruled out an all-postal ballot and refused to make any legislative changes, as seen in other countries?
I thank the hon. Lady for pointing out the extreme challenges that exist to ensure that the elections can take place in a covid-secure environment. They are considerable, but they cannot compromise the security and integrity of the ballot, and we feel that by moving to an all-postal system, that may be the case.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide reasons for rejecting other voting methods or legislative changes.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the potential shortage of electoral staff due to a significant portion being from vulnerable demographics, without additional funding for election running.
If the Government have refused to provide any more funding for the May 2021 elections, what steps are they taking to ensure that there is not a huge shortage of electoral staff?
One of the partners we are working with is public health organisations and authorities, and the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: we want to ensure that everyone, whether they are officers or volunteers, is safe. We also anticipate, for example, that we will have extra demands on postal votes and so forth, and we are determined to ensure that we have the supply to meet that demand.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps taken to address staff shortages.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the practical aspects of making polling stations safe for voters, including face coverings and staffing.
Will voters be required to wear face coverings in polling stations? What protections will be put in place for staff? Are steps being taken to ensure adequate staffing?
I thank the hon. Lady for raising those issues. Hopefully, we will be in a happier place when the elections arrive because of the vaccination programme, but she raises some important issues. Just as retailers, healthcare settings and so forth have put in place measures to make them covid-secure, whether those are public health-related measures or the enforcement and policing of them, we will do the same at polling stations and at counts.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on face coverings requirements or staffing measures.
Response accuracy