Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Owen Thompson and Vicky Foxcroft

Thursday 17th November 2022 Commons Chamber

[Owen Thompson (Midlothian) (SNP)]

1. If the Commission will publish guidance for returning officers on the implementation of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

4. What discussions the Committee has had with the Electoral Commission on the publication of guidance for returning officers on the implementation of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood)]

The commission will publish guidance for electoral administrators on the implementation of the voter ID requirements in phases over the next three months. It was unable to publish detailed guidance before the introduction of secondary legislation, which has been subject to significant delays but is now before the House. It published initial guidance on planning for the implementation of the Elections Act 2022 in August; further detailed guidance will follow on voter ID, which will cover the application process for the free voter authority certificate and polling station processes. It will publish a handbook for polling station staff in early 2023.