UK elections 'using 19th Century structures'

UK elections 'using 19th Century structures'

Wednesday, 27, Aug 2008 05:50

The UK electoral system continues to operate under 19th century structures and requires urgent reform before the next general election, the Electoral Commission has warned.

"The planning and running of elections need to be more robust and coordinated," said Sam Younger, chairman of the Electoral Commission.

"We are still trying to run 21st century elections with 19th century structures, and the system is under severe strain."

The Commission wants a simplification of electoral law and action to address the shortfall for electoral administration, and for any reforms to be finalised six months before a future election.

It says Electoral Management Boards should be set up to provide coordination, leadership and support for elections and the chair of the Boards should be given the statutory power to give directions to returning officers to ensure best practise is followed.

The role of retuning officers - a senior officer who oversees the election and announces the results – is also brought into the spotlight. The Commission wants their operational role to be kept strictly distinct from the formation of election policy by government, and the performance oversight role of the Electoral Commission.

"Ensuring that returning officers remain independent, and are reinforced with the leadership, support and direction of the chair of an Election Management Board, would build on the strengths of the current system," Mr Younger said.

"Our proposal is designed to allow local returning officers to continue to respond to local circumstances while ensuring that there is a consistently high standard of service for all electors across the UK."

The report provoked mixed reactions from democracy activists with Peter Facey, director of Unlock Democracy saying it was a "curate's egg".

"It is not clear about what specific problems a network of Electoral Management Boards across the country is supposed to solve and we are concerned that the system could prove unwieldy and bureaucratic," he said.

"Ultimately, changing the way we administer elections will have very little effect if it is not underpinned by enhanced regulation. Vote rigging is at an all time high, yet the government is continuing to focus on gimmicks such as voting by mobile phone and prize draws to increase turnout."

The next general election is expected in 2010. Gordon Brown can call it at any time, but with the government doing so badly in the polls, party strategists are likely to put it off as long as possible.