Electoral Register

(asked on 22nd January 2015) - View Source

Question

To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission provides to local authority electoral registration offices and local authority canvassers when they are distributing and collecting completed individual elector registration forms on the doorstep.


Answered by
Gary Streeter Portrait
Gary Streeter
This question was answered on 2nd February 2015

The Electoral Commission has published guidance for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and materials for them to use to train canvassers. The guidance states that EROs need to consider how the distribution and collection of completed forms will be undertaken, as part of their engagement strategy and implementation plan for Individual Electoral Registration (IER). You can view the guidance on the Commission’s website, www.electoralcommission.org.uk.

Registration forms contain sensitive personal information (including National Insurance numbers and dates of birth), so canvassers will need to ensure that the forms are kept secure at all times. All canvassers therefore need to receive appropriate data protection training, and be trained to keep any personal information they may collect from electors safe from unauthorised access, accidental loss or destruction.

The Commission and the Cabinet Office have also given guidance to EROs on what they can do to minimise the risks to electors’ personal data. For example, where canvassers are collecting forms on the doorstep, they should consider using lockable cases or satchels for transporting documents.

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