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DETAILS :
1.1
Electoral Commission – consultation papers
The Electoral Commission has issued two consultation papers inviting
comments to inform their review of, the local government electoral cycle in
England, and the current minimum age at which people can take part in
elections. Responses are required by 3rd October 2003 and 31st October 2003,
respectively.
Printed copies of full consultation papers are available from the Elections
Office and electronic copies from www.electoralcommission.org.uk
1.1.1 Consultation paper – The cycle of local government elections in England
The current cycle of local government elections in England is by no means
straightforward. Although all local councillors serve for four years, there is no
clear or consistent pattern of elections
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metropolitan borough authorities elect one third of their members each
year
London boroughs elect all their members at once every four years
shire districts may hold either whole council elections, elections by thirds
or by halves; and
county councils elect all their members once every four years
Evidence collected by the Commission indicates widespread confusion and
lack of knowledge about when local elections in England are held. There was
broad support for moves to harmonise electoral cycles although some support
for retaining some variations according to local circumstances.
There is also evidence that differences in turnout do exist between local
authorities using alternative electoral cycles. Turnout in whole council
elections could decline if they were to switch cycle and could increase if areas
with elections by thirds were to switch. There is marginally greater turnout
where electors are given less frequent opportunities to vote.
A number of arguments for either cycle have been identified;
For partial elections
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more frequent opportunities for electors to exercise their right to vote
may facilitate more immediate political accountability
may tend to produce less drastic changes in political direction, and provide
greater political unity
can ensure that the political composition of authorities more accurately
reflects the current political complexion of local areas
may reduce the likelihood that the timing of important or controversial
decisions are distorted by the timing of elections
For whole council elections
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greater possibility of wholesale change in control may encourage
participation
too-frequent elections might dilute public interest
opportunity for all electors in an area to influence the composition of the
authority at the same time
may tend to encourage greater long term planning by authorities and
discourage continuous election campaigning
The Electoral Matters Members Working Party discussed the issues at length
and proposed the following response to the Electoral Commission;
The current four year term of office for local councillors should be retained for
the reasons shown below;
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Closer links with constituents are fostered
Electors have more frequent opportunity to exercise their right to vote
The balance of experience would be maintained, as only a third of
councillors are up for re-election
Improved accountability
The capacity of officers to become too closely linked to the
administration is reduced
1.1.2 Consultation paper – Minimum voting and candidacy age
The Electoral Commission is conducting a review of the current minimum age
at which people can take part in elections. To vote in all elections in the UK an
individual must be at least 18 years old. To stand as a candidate an individual
must be at least 21 years old.
The Commission is particularly concerned about declining participation rates
in UK elections, especially among young people in the 18-24 age group.
The Electoral Matters Members Working party discussed the issues at length
and proposed the following response to the Electoral Commission;
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The current minimum age for voting be kept at 18
The current minimum age for standing as a candidate be reduced from 21
to 18. Members felt that if an individual is allowed to vote at 18, there is no
valid reason why the age limit to stand as a candidate should be any
different
The same minimum age should be adopted for all levels of election in the
UK
Local young people should be consulted on the proposals through either the
Youth Bank or the Young Persons Panel
Wider consultation is necessary and should be established through the
Council’s website
1.2
Combined elections 2004
The local elections and European elections are to be held together on 10 June
2004.
This arrangement poses a problem regarding the conduct of the count on
Thursday night 10 June 2004. The local elections will be an all out election
where every seat on the council is to be contested. Counting of votes at this
election will take considerably longer than normal because more than one vote
will be cast on a ballot paper and the use of counting sheets will be required to
determine a result.
Verification of the number of votes cast for the European election will also
have to be completed on the same night and figures submitted to the Regional
Returning Officer in Manchester.
As the count is to commence as soon as possible after the close of poll at 10.00
p.m., attempts to complete both counts on the same night will inevitably mean
results being declared well into the early hours of the following morning.
Although the final decision is a matter for the Returning Officer, Members
views were sought on;
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the feasibility of holding verification counts for both elections on
Thursday night, and,
suspending the count for the local elections until the following Friday
morning, in an effort to produce an accurate result and reduce the
impact of staff fatigue.
After consideration of the above issues the Electoral Matters Members
Working Party recommended that verification counts for both elections be held
on 10 June, 2004 with the count for the local elections suspended until the
morning of Friday 11 June, 2004.