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Consultation on political party descriptions launched
25 Mar 2008
The Electoral Commission has launched a UKwide consultation on the registration of party descriptions for use on ballot papers.
The Electoral Administration Act 2006 requires parties to register descriptions with the Commission. The consultation paper poses a series of questions about the number, use and procedure for the registration of party descriptions.
A description can be up to six words long. It should not lead voters to be confused with another party name or be misleading in other ways set out in the legislation. Up to 12 descriptions are allowed.
The deadline for responses is 13 June after which the Commission will analyse responses and publish recommendations. Responses can be submitted by e mail to achappell@electoralcommission.org.uk or by post to: The Electoral Commission, Midland Office, No 2, The Oaks, Westwood Way, Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry, CV4 8JB.
Ends/
For further information contact:
Press office on 020 7271 0704
outside office hours: 07789 920414
press@electoralcommission.org.uk
Notes to editors:
- The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Our mission is to foster public confidence and participation by promoting integrity, involvement and effectiveness in the democratic process.
- The full consultation paper on the The Registration of Party Descriptions is available on the Electoral Commission website, http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/your-say/ecconsultations.cfm
- Prior to 1998, candidates representing political parties could use any description of not more than six words, subject to minor controls. The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) tightened the rules in order to ensure that voters would not be confused with any other party name in the same electoral area (e.g. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England). Whether a description satisfied the test was at the discretion of the returning officer, The Electoral Administration Act 2006 added further criteria allowing the Commission to accept an application from a party to register a description provided that it did not (1) result in an elector being misled as to the effect of his vote or (2) contradict, or hinder an electors understanding of, any directions for his guidance in voting on the ballot paper or elsewhere.
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