The reasons for urgency as set out in the report were noted and approved.

Robert Curtis, Head of Electoral Services, introduced the report that summarised the key elements of the Elections Act 2022, set out which elements of the Act had already been implemented, and noted future changes and their implications for the borough. 

Further to questions from the Committee, Robert provided more details on:

• Funding and resources required to implement the changes. Rob explained that small grants were being provided by DLUHC but with no elections scheduled this year expenditure was being contained and the plan for future polls is to use existing equipment and facilities where possible.
• Plans were being put in place to communicate the key changes, particularly voting ID in polling stations, to residents and that the  electoral services team were working alongside other boroughs across the UK and London (e.g. Haringey) who had already ran elections under the new legislation
• Technical information on the new voter ID requirements including what types of ID were valid is now in the public domain and can be accessed on the Councils web site.
• The changes to the rights of citizens living overseas with the 15 year rule to be abolished and the potential for this to significantly increase the number of overseas electors eligible to vote in Parliamentary elections.
• Following a question from Cllr K Ahmed Robert explained that there has not been any changes to the franchise and right to vote for Ukrainian and/or Somali nationals who are residents but who are not eligible to register to vote.
• Rob explained how the elections service worked closely with the  Registrars service to identify potential new voters via the citizenship ceremonies
• The position of assisting voters in the polling place was clarified particularly the illegality of “family voting” and the changes that have now been introduced for those who need additional support at polling stations.
• Robert explained that the grants provided thus far for the implementation of the requirements of the Act have been very low primarily because Tower Hamlets does not have scheduled polls in 2023 but this will be reviewed as we approach the GLA in 2024 and the potential General Election to be held no later than 28 January 2025 The financial implications are not known until the first polls are held and will be communicated to the council as this develops in due course.
• Information on changes to how postal votes will be handled in the future, what is now required on campaign materials and changes to undue influence (Corrupt Practices) were also highlighted

Further to officer responses, the Committee discussed the importance of communication regarding the changes. It asked to receive a report setting out how the Council would  effectively communicate the changes to residents prior to the GLA polls in May 2024.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Peter Golds addressed the Committee and summarised his role in the drafting elections legislation. He also informed the Committee of the recent electoral experience of Leicester, which he explained had a similar demography to LBTH, where communication campaigns included non-English language media channels. The experience was that voters largely came prepared for new photo ID requirements.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

1.    Notes the requirements already implemented by the Elections Act 2022 and the implications of future scheduled changes.

2.    Will receive a report setting out how the Council can most effectively communicate the Act’s key changes to residents prior to the election in May 2024.