§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 7 November (WA 131), given that it is forbidden for an elector to vote in two separate local elections in separate local authorities on the same day, what is the rationale for permitting the elector to exercise a second vote where one of the elections is a by-election held to fill a casual vacancy. [HL110]
§ Lord RookerParliament has determined that a citizen may vote in a by-election held to fill a casual vacancy and in an ordinary election held on the same day in separate local authorities, if they are registered to vote in both areas concerned. The Government generally believe, on grounds of equity, that it would be wrong, if some electors were able to vote twice on the same day at elections held in separate local authorities, but believe it is pragmatic to allow citizens to vote if one or both are by-elections.
§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the fact that a citizen who is registered to vote in two local authorities may not vote in elections held in more than one local authority on the same day breaches the principle of no taxation without representation. [HL111]
§ Lord RookerThe Government generally believes it would be wrong if some electors were able to vote twice on the same day at the same election. This would not be equitable since it would allow electors able to register in more than one location to have more voting rights than those who do not.