Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alistair Carmichael and Wes Streeting

Thursday 21st January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)]

What steps the Committee is taking to ensure the safe conduct of elections planned for May 2021 during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab)]

What steps the Committee is taking to ensure that elections are able to take place in May 2021.

[Christian Matheson (City of Chester)]

The commission believes that it is an important democratic principle that elections should proceed as scheduled whenever possible. To ensure that can happen in May, the commission is working closely with electoral administrators, political parties and other campaigners to provide the necessary support and guidance, informed by the latest public health advice. The commission’s objective is for voters to be able to participate in the polls, campaigners and parties to be able to put their case to the electorate, and electoral administration staff to be able to run the polling stations and count centres safely and competently.