Commons Sense

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Elections Bill - Sitting 8

19 October 2021

Proposing MP
Rushanara Ali Lab
Bethnal Green and Stepney
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses Clause 6 of the Elections Bill, which aims to extend secrecy requirements for postal and proxy votes to align with in-person voting protections. The statement discusses the amendment to Clause 8 of the Elections Bill to ensure assistance for voting is provided to persons with disabilities, specifically changing 'a device' to 'equipment'. The statement addresses concerns about proposed changes to electoral provisions that may negatively impact voting rights for blind and partially sighted individuals. The Minister is discussing amendments related to election accessibility for voters with disabilities. The statement discusses concerns about the Elections Bill's impact on blind and partially sighted voters by weakening existing protections and potentially creating a postcode lottery for voting assistance. The statement does not address a specific issue or policy and appears to be administrative in nature, listing organisations that have submitted evidence.

Action Requested

The clause proposes to prevent individuals from seeking or communicating information about someone else's postal vote, including photos or other forms of disclosure. The existing offence under section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 will apply to anyone who breaches these new secrecy provisions for postal and proxy votes.

Key Facts

  • Clause 6 extends secrecy requirements to protect postal and proxy voting.
  • The clause implements a recommendation from the Pickles report.
  • It aims to prevent undue influence through digital means such as social media.
  • Amendment 60 aims to modify Clause 8 of the Elections Bill.
  • Change 'a device' to 'equipment' in paragraph (3A)(b).
  • Insert new provisions to define 'relevant persons' as those with disabilities who need assistance to vote independently.
  • The 1983 Act requires returning officers to provide large ballot papers and a device for blind or partially sighted voters.
  • Clause 8 of the Elections Bill removes specific provisions for visually impaired voters.
  • RNIB estimates that four in five blind people cannot vote independently.
  • In 2019, a Judicial Review found existing provisions unlawful due to lack of independence and secrecy.
  • The Government's principle is to make elections more accessible to disabled voters.
  • A requirement has been included in law for returning officers to consider the needs of voters with disabilities when providing equipment at polling stations.
  • Prescribing specific assistive equipment can become an obstacle to innovation and wider inclusion.
  • The RNIB has raised concerns about clause 8 weakening protections for blind and partially sighted voters.
  • There are currently 350,000 voters in the UK who cannot vote without assistance.
  • Four fifths of blind or partially sighted people reported being unable to vote independently and in secret.
  • EB06 Antisemitism Policy Trust.
  • EB07 Royal National Institute of Blind People, Age UK, Business Disability Forum, Leonard Cheshire, Sense & Royal National Institute for Deaf People (joint submission).
  • EB08 Law Society of Scotland (further submission).
  • EB09 British in Europe.
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