§ Mike GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what measures he is taking to combat electoral fraud and voter intimidation. [74024]
§ Desmond BrowneIt is the Government's intention that all the provisions of the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 will be in place in time for the scheduled Northern Ireland Assembly election on 1 May 2003.
The Act requires a canvass form and an application for voter registration to be signed by, and to include the date of birth and national insurance number (or a statement that he/she does not have a national insurance number) of, each of the persons to whom the form or application relates. The annual canvass, currently underway, is being conducted on the basis of these requirements.
In addition, by the time of the next scheduled Assembly election it remains the Government's target that all voters will have to produce a form of photographic ID from the list of specified documents acceptable as proof of identity at the polling station. The photographic electoral identity card provided for by the Act will be required for by those voters who do not have a passport, photo driving licence or a Senior SmartPass (issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary fares scheme for use from 1 May 2002). The electoral identity card will be issued to all those electors who require one following the publication of the electoral register on 1 December.