§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidance to political parties, agents and candidates on the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000 relating to breaches of the postal vote regulations; and if he will make a statement. [155470]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Representation of the People Act 2000 made no changes to the provisions for the security of postal votes. Electoral administrators are aware of those provisions and will see that they are enforced. It is the responsibility of political parties, agents and candidates to familiarise themselves with all aspects of electoral law which may affect them.
§ Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if(a) candidates and (b) their agents will have the right to a copy of the list of electors exercising their right to vote by post, and the address to which the ballot paper is to be sent, at least 24 hours prior to the despatch of absent votes to electors. [154797]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienRegulation 61(i) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 provides that the registration officer shall, on request, supply a copy of the list of those electors who have been granted applications to vote by post to each candidate or their election agent at any time. However applications for postal votes can be received up until the sixth day before polling, so obviously a complete list of postal voters will not be available until after that date. Postal ballot papers will be despatched continuously from the date of close of nominations until shortly after the sixth day before polling day.