§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why ballot papers for the South East constituency in the 1999 European parliamentary elections are to measure 30.5 inches by 8 inches (80 centimetres by 20 centimetres); whether they can be accommodated in existing ballot boxes; whether this size will be standard throughout the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether they will list the size for each region. [HL2470]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe form of the ballot paper is, subject to the regulations, a matter for the regional returning officer. Its size will depend on the number of parties and individual candidates who stand validly nominated and the number of seats to be filled in the region concerned.
I understand that the approximate sizes of the ballot papers in the British electoral regions for the forthcoming European parliamentary elections will be as follows:
- Eastern 38.5cm x 14.5cm
- East Midlands 42cm x 14.5cm
- London 77.5cm x 17.5cm
- North East 36.5cm x 15cm
- North West 47.5cm x 19.5cm
- South East 48.5cm x 21.5cm
- South West 40.5cm x 17cm
- West Midlands 46.5cm x 18cm
- Yorkshire & Humberside 37cm x 15.2cm
- Scotland 52cm x 16cm
- Wales 42.5cm x 18cm
It is for returning officers to ensure that they have sufficient ballot boxes to accommodate all the votes cast.