Government accused of undermining Electoral Commission
The government has been accused of threatening the independence of the Electoral Commission, the UK’s independent elections watchdog, as parties ready themselves for a general election later this year.
The Electoral Commission Strategy and Policy Statement, published in December, was designed to make the commission more accountable to Parliament by setting out its responsibilities in helping the government tackle issues around voter fraud, improving the accessibility of elections and boosting participation rates.
The government has said the commission should “have regard” to the statement, and will be scrutinised by Parliament through the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission.
However, in a Commons debate last month, shadow minister for democracy Florence Eshalomi said that the contents of the statement “completely undermine the Electoral Commission, representing a dangerous threat to the independence of a vital watchdog.
“MPs from all parties have condemned it, and respected bodies have rejected it, which is further proof that we need a new approach to a democracy that works for everyone.”
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood and member of the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, said: “We have a strategy and policy statement to direct the work of our independent commission. I will call it what it is. This is the politicisation of the independent Electoral Commission.”
While the statement was voted through the Commons by a Conservative-led majority, an amendment expressing regret that it had been laid in the first place was agreed in the Lords on 6 February.
Critics have described this as the latest attempt by the government to assert control over the electoral process. Under rules brought in by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in May last year, voters must carry photo ID with them to polling stations. However only certain IDs, such as rail cards for older people are allowed, while similar cards for younger people (who are more likely to vote Labour) are not.
An Electoral Commission spokesperson said: “It remains the Electoral Commission’s view that a strategy and policy statement – by which the government seeks to guide our work – is inconsistent with our independent role. The commission’s board has expressed its concern and key committees of Parliament have highlighted both the importance of maintaining the commission’s independence and the risks posed by such a statement. Now that the statement has been passed by the UK Parliament, we will meet our legal duty to have regard to it.”
A Department for Levelling Up spokesperson said: “Our statement will strengthen the accountability of the Electoral Commission to the UK Parliament, while respecting the foundational principle of its operational independence. The statement clearly sets out the commission’s role in supporting the government to tackle issues such as voter fraud, to improve the accessibility of elections, and to increase participation. These are important aims, and it would be wholly appropriate for an electoral regulator to support them.” `