§ 34. Mr. Andrew Love (Edmonton)What research is being undertaken into procedures among local authorities as part of the Commission's review of electoral registration. [68948]
§ Mr. A. J. Beith (representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission)I understand that as part of the Commission's review of electoral registration, research into local authority practice in managing the registration process is under way. There will also be consultation with local authorities and others as part of the review process. The Commission will report in spring 2003. A separate research project into local 666 authority practices in promoting registration has also been funded by the Commission, and is expected to be published in the autumn.
§ Mr. LoveI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. I have been trying to ascertain the figures for the numbers of people prosecuted because they have not registered on the register. I have not been able to do that, although I have had contact with the Electoral Commission. Before the Commission starts to investigate the merits or otherwise of compulsory voting, would it be worth while it undertaking some research to see whether it is of merit to continue compulsory registration?
§ Mr. BeithThe Commission does not have an enforcement role in electoral registration, and the figures are not held centrally or held by the Commission. The legal obligation to register has implications for other persons who would be resident in the household, not only for the individual who fails to register. These are matters that the Commission regularly considers.