MSPS set to discuss prisoner voting
The convener of a committee of MSPS has called for the ban on prisoners voting to be “reexamined” ahead of a meeting today.
Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee will hear evidence on the issue after Green MSP Patrick Harvie last year called for alternatives to the blanket ban.
Under the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Parliament has new powers over the fran- chise for local and Scottish elections.
The UK is one of the few places in Europe where there is a complete ban on inmates exercising their democratic right.
Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, committee convener Christina Mckelvie said: “The historic reasons preventing prisoners from voting need to be re-examined.
“Do we still want modernday prisoners to face so-called civic death?
“We need to consider how removing the right to vote sits with rehabilitating offenders, and also what constitutes a proportionate punishment for people who have broken the law.”
Scotland’s judges have previously outlined their opposition to plans allowing them to decide on whether a prisoner should be given the vote.
Lord Carloway, Scotland’s most senior judge, said the judiciary was against suggestions that the decision could be made by trial judges in individual cases.