MSPS demand postal voting plan for 2021

MSPS have demanded assurances from SNP ministers that extra money will be available to hold next year’s Holyrood election in light of the pandemic.

The parliament’s standards committee said the Scottish Government had to ensure “adequate resources” to cope with an expected upsurge in postal voting.

The demand came as the committee reported on the Government’s new Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill, which puts a series of contingency measures in place.

If passed, the Bill would allow voting to take place over multiple days, not just May 6.

MSPS said there was a preference to vote on a single day, and changing that should not be a decision for Ministers alone, but subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

The committee told the Government to produce a clear plan to “educate, encourage and simplify the postal voting process” given the likely increase in its use.

Postal voting in the recent US election surged because of Covid.

SNP convener Bill Kidd MSP said: “Whilst there is no doubt next year’s election will be unlike any other, it is vital that there are the resources and support in place to deal with the increased demand on postal votes.

“We want to see a clear plan of education and encouragement with regards to postal voting.

“But more than this, the process must be simplified. This cannot be a barrier to anyone casting their ballot at next year’s election.”

Green deputy convener Patrick Harvie added: “There must be parliamentary scrutiny on key decisions such as extending the ballot over multiple days.”

The Government wants to pass the Bill this year to provide certainty to officials, voters and campaigners.