Electoral Modernisation (Hansard, 12 February 2002)

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what action he is taking to allow voting online; and if he will make a statement; [34331]
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(2) what plans he has to propose an amendment of the law to allow voters to vote at any polling station; and if he will make a statement. [34333]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The development of online voting, which we are pursuing in partnership with the Electoral Commission as part of our programme of electoral modernisation, will allow people to vote wherever they have internet access, including in any polling station. The aim of this programme is to make voting more accessible, maintaining the security and integrity of the electoral process. Through a range of projects, including research, development and the piloting of innovations, we would expect an e-enabled general election sometime after 2006.

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action he is taking to encourage higher turnout at elections; and if he will make a statement. [34330]

§ Dr. Whitehead
As the Electoral Commission recognised in its report—Election 2001—it is above all the quality and persuasiveness of the policies put forward by the political parties, and their ability to motivate voters, that will determine future turnout trends. For their part, the Government are committed to making voting more accessible, with arrangements more suited to today's lifestyles, while maintaining the security and integrity of the electoral process.
Accordingly, we have established a programme of electoral modernisation, working with the Electoral Commission, and other stakeholders, which includes developing electronic voting, with the expectation of an e-enabled general election sometime after 2006.

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action he is taking to increase voter registration; and if he will make a statement. [34332]

§ Dr. Whitehead
Measures to promote public awareness of all aspects of the electoral system are now the responsibility of the Electoral Commission, under Section 13 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. I understand that the Commission intends to run two advertising campaigns each year, in the spring to encourage rolling registration in time for local government elections and in the autumn to encourage completion and return of the annual canvass form.