HC Deb 28 June 2004 vol 423 cc19-20
24. Mr. Mark Lazarowicz: (Edinburgh, North and Leith)

If the commission will conduct an assessment of the merits of allowing electors a choice of polling stations at which to cast their vote. [180456]

Mr. Peter Viggers (Gosport) (Con)

The commission has no plans at present to conduct a specific assessment of the merits of allowing electors a choice of polling station at which to cast their vote. However, the commission is committed to pursuing the goal of greater choice for voters, provided that can be achieved while maintaining the security and integrity of the electoral system.

Mr. Lazarowicz

May I suggest to the hon. Gentleman that it would be a good idea for the committee and the commission to look at the proposal in a bit more detail? Does he agree that it is somewhat archaic that the only place where people can cast a vote is at the polling station for the area in which they live? Surely, with new technology it would be quite feasible for people to be allowed to vote nearer their place of work, at a railway station on their way home or even at shopping centres. Would not such a measure be simple to introduce and, in its own way, help to increase voter turnout?

Mr. Viggers

I am sure that many people would agree with the general tenor of the hon. Gentleman's comments, but the scope for offering voters a choice between several locations will of course depend ultimately on the implementation of plans for a national electronic register of voters, which the commission supports; it also supports the concept of individual registration of voters.

Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire) (Con)

If the commission is truly committed to giving voters choice, does not it accept that compulsory postal ballots are incompatible with that wish?

Mr. Viggers

Certainly, all-postal voting seems to have improved turnout, but my hon. Friend's point is exactly the kind of thing that the commission will be considering.