Latest news with #ElectoralCommission
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
What we know about WA's problem-plagued state election, and what's to come
Six months before a state election which went so wrong it triggered a special inquiry to find answers, the man in charge gave a warning. "Electoral bodies find they only attract attention when things go wrong," Robert Kennedy told a parliamentary committee. "As long as everything is sailing along fine, no one is particularly interested in any issues you might be identifying." Just as he had predicted, no one paid much attention at the time. Few noticed Electoral Commissioner Kennedy cautioning there were "additional cost pressures and service improvements that … remain unfunded". But, he said: "If we can confirm our funding … I expect that we will be able to meet our goal and our promise of a better electoral experience in 2025." As the conduct of election showed — with reports of long wait times at polling booths, inexperienced staff and shortages of staff and ballot papers — that isn't what happened. The ABC revealed on Tuesday the decision to outsource recruitment of the temporary election workforce was largely motivated by two factors. First, a sense the running of the 2021 election had damaged the commission's reputation. Few involved in that poll — which Mark McGowan won in a post-COVID landslide — seemed to share the commission's concerns. "There were a few issues that I was aware of here and there, but nothing like the collapse that we saw in 2025," was shadow electoral affairs spokesperson Shane Love's recollection. "I think we got off lightly because of the result," Commissioner Kennedy had told parliament, referring to Labor's huge win. Another issue, he said, was "a lack of resources and internal procedures and processes to properly support our large temporary workforce". That lack of resources was also noted in the commission's decision to outsource recruitment. But the $86 million outsourcing contract was not mentioned at the committee hearing, despite being signed nearly a year prior. Instead, the commissioner warned multiple times funding the election was the biggest issue on his mind at that point, although he acknowledged some increased funding provided "so far". Asked this week if the government had adequately resourced the commission, Premier Roger Cook was clear. "There is nothing we do which would give the Electoral Commission any cause for concern in relation to their finances," he said on Tuesday. "Obviously, we want to know how the money is spent, but that's a conversation which predominantly takes place between treasury themselves and the WA Electoral Commission. "And as has been the custom after every election, when the Electoral Commission has required extra resources, they've been topped up." Budget papers show while the 2017 election came in pretty much on budget, the commission needed its total election year budget increased by 24 per cent (or about $8 million) compared to earlier plans. Last month's budget included a 55 per cent increase — more than $20 million — on earlier predictions. That took the commission's budget to around $57.5 million, with between $19 or $20 million paid under the contract. But a state government spokesperson did not answer questions about whether that money included what the commissioner was concerned about getting in late 2024. "The resourcing of the 2025 state election was a matter included in the terms of reference for the Special Inquiry into the Planning and Delivery of the 2025 WA State General Election," they said in a statement. "The inquirer's report will be tabled in parliament next month." The electoral commissioner's comments to the committee — and particularly his warning that few paid attention to issues raised when things were going fine — could suggest he did feel some level of concern around finances. Understanding whether that was the case will be a critical question for the special inquiry to answer, if it is to have even the chance of avoiding a similarly problematic election in the future. Of course, that's not to say other, more direct changes, won't help. "A new acting commissioner and acting deputy commissioner have been appointed, both of whom are already reviewing the current practices, processes and culture of the WA Electoral Commission," was the assurance provided by Electoral Affairs Minister David Michael during the week. "The government will formally respond to recommendations within the special inquiry report when it is tabled in parliament and publicly released." That is not expected to be until mid-August at the earliest when parliament next sits. Later in the year, after local government elections have been run in October, the acting commissioner Dennis O'Reilly has also indicated the recruitment contract could be reconsidered. "As good contract managers, we will be sitting down to see what is working and what is not. Part of that process will also involve looking at what the future looks like with PERSOLKELLY," he told parliament. "I would not want to pre-empt anything, but as a good contract manager, I think it is important to sit down and have those discussions." Whatever changes eventuate, they are unlikely to have much of an impact on the culture of the commission, which could be an even more important factor. Any issues within the organisation clearly must be addressed before the next state election in 2029. But that focus cannot allow the state government to be let of the hook if there is found to be any undue external pressure on the commission. Nobody expects any part of government to be given a blank cheque. But it would be hard to justify fiscal restraint, for one of the agencies responsible for such a fundamental part of democracy to be deprived of a fraction of the state's $2.4 billion surplus last year.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Who will benefit the most from new rules about voter ID?
The announcement about giving the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds in all UK elections has obviously caused huge excitement, and some controversy. However, the experts say that the number of new voters will in practice be very small, and that it will make only a marginal difference to the result of a general election – because some won't vote, and there's no God-given law about them all voting Labour. Much more significant are the new rules on voter ID. The range of acceptable documents will be widened to include, for example, bank cards. Whatever the advantage it might bestow on any particular party at an election, proponents say it will boost turnout, and engagement with the democratic process... What are the changes? The government says its elections bill will allow people to use UK-issued bank cards as proof of identity, and of course, these do not usually carry an image of the user. In addition, there will be 'more digital options to support voters and polling station staff, including allowing accepted IDs such as the Veteran Card and UK driving licence to be used at polling stations when they become available in digital format'. Why are they doing this? The cynics say it is because it will benefit Labour disproportionately. Others say that, true or not, that's less important than allowing people to vote, and that the threat of electoral fraud has been greatly exaggerated. Historically, according to the Electoral Commission and the academics, there's been little in Great Britain even in local elections, and it is virtually unknown in general elections. Where it has cropped up, such as in Tower Hamlets, it has been dealt with. The counterclaim is that photo ID was brought in by the Conservatives in the last parliament in order to help them and to suppress the Labour vote. A point lost to history is that the 2019 Conservative manifesto did not specify 'photo' ID as the preferred option. (Northern Ireland has needed photo ID for far longer, because of much more voter 'personation'. Hence the local slogan 'Vote early, vote often'.) How many people have been affected by the rules on photo ID? Probably in the hundreds of thousands, and maybe more. The polling company More in Common say that, on the basis of polling after the last election, more than 850,000 would have been turned away at the polling station for lack of ID, and – given that some returned – perhaps 400,000 lost their vote. It affected voters from ethnic minority groups disproportionately: the poll suggested that 6.5 per cent of voters of colour were turned away from a polling booth at least once, compared with 2.5 per cent of white voters. But of course, no one really has any idea how many voters didn't even bother to go to the polls who wished to, because they knew they didn't have the necessary ID – or they did but it had some minor discrepancy, such as a variation in their first name or the precise spelling of their surname. Local council 'greeters' posted outside polling stations may also have stopped people from entering the premises, and thus these would-be voters would have gone unnoticed by the local election officials or the Electoral Commission. What about the millions who aren't registered at all? The government says that an increasingly automated voter registration system will also make it easier for people to register to vote, and will reduce the need for them to fill out their details across different government services on multiple occasions. Who will the reforms help? On balance, Labour, because of its relatively high vote among some ethnic minorities; but also, for that same reason, the Corbynite independents who took seats from Labour in strongly Muslim areas even in a strong year such as 2024. Reform UK might also see some benefit, because their vote is skewed towards more disadvantaged places, where turnouts are traditionally low. Automated registration among disaffected non-voters might give them a bit of a boost. Will it save the Labour Party? No. As with votes at 16, the numbers aren't going to make that much of a difference, and in our present confused four- or five-party system, it's hard to see anyone gaining a decisive advantage. And voting allegiances by age, class and ethnicity, for example, can shift over time anyway. But in a very close contest, who knows? What about postal voting? This seems to be another problem for turnout. The government says of last July: 'Overall, 8 per cent of non-voters mentioned they did not vote because of an issue related to their postal vote (such as missing the deadline to apply, forms arriving late and forgetting to send their postal vote) – with this figure rising to 13 per cent in Scotland and Wales.' The deterioration in the postal system has added fresh challenges to a method of voting many find essential, or more convenient. So the proposal is to change the deadline in Great Britain to apply for a postal vote, moving it from 11 to 14 working days before a poll, thereby providing more time between the application deadline and polling day. What about postal vote fraud? This only became much of an issue in Britain after the contested 2020 US presidential election, and Donald Trump's unfounded allegations that it was rigged. Nigel Farage and Reform UK make a big deal of it, and Richard Tice, Reform's deputy leader, has raised it again in the Commons this week, stating: 'I have seen people carrying bag-loads of postal votes to a polling station on election day.' The relevant minister, Rushanara Ali, told him to tell the police.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Risk of 'voter fraud' over Labour plans to allow bank cards as identity at polling stations - as party to let 16-year-olds vote
The elections watchdog warned of a risk of voter fraud last night over Labour plans to allow the public to use bank cards to prove their identity at polling stations. Angela Rayner yesterday unveiled a 'seismic' shake-up of Britain's voting system which will give 16-year-olds the vote at the next election and make it easier for people to pass identity checks designed to combat fraud. Existing laws require people to show photographic ID such as a passport or driving licence at the polling station before they can vote. But Labour's plan would make the system more 'accessible' by allowing people to use a bank card as proof of identity, even though it would not allow polling station staff to confirm a voter's likeness against a photograph. The Electoral Commission, which oversees Britain's voting system, last night said using bank cards 'has risks for security and voter trust'. Tory spokesman Paul Holmes also warned switching to non-photographic ID could 'undermine the security of the ballot box'. Prominent Reform politician Darren Grimes said that voting in an election could become 'less robust than collecting a parcel from the Post Office'. During angry exchanges in the Commons yesterday, Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice said the risk of election fraud was already too great. Mr Tice said there were 'grave concerns' about the risk of voter impersonation and told MPs he had witnessed people 'carrying bag loads of postal votes to a polling station on election day'. The row came as Ms Rayner confirmed controversial plans to lower the voting age to 16, despite widespread public opposition. A YouGov poll last night found the public oppose the move by a margin of 57 to 32 per cent. The Deputy Prime Minister brushed aside allegations of 'gerrymandering' and said the move would be introduced in time for the next election. Children will be able to register from the age of 14 and will get the vote at 16, although they will not be permitted to stand for election until the age of 18. Government sources said changes could be made to the national curriculum to deliver 'relevant democratic education in schools'. But critics warned the changes could lead to children as young as 14 being targeted by political parties. Ms Rayner said the change would give young people a 'stake in the future' but the Conservatives said the plan was 'hopelessly confused'. Mr Holmes added: 'Why do they think a 16-year-old should be able vote, but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry, go to war or even stand in the elections they are voting in?' Former Tory Cabinet minister Sir James Cleverly accused ministers of rushing forward the plans because of panic about Labour's collapse in the polls. But Ms Rayner denied the claim, saying: 'This is about democracy and giving young people an opportunity to have a say.' Pollsters suggested lowering the voting age could give Labour less of a boost than it is expecting. Elections expert Robert Hayward said: 'There is a real risk it will backfire on Labour. Historically, young people have been perceived as Labour supporters but there are clear polling indications young people do not vote for the two traditional parties.' Nigel Farage, who has a large following of young people on TikTok, accused Labour of an 'attempt to rig the political system', but added: 'We intend to give them a nasty surprise.'
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
16-year-olds to be allowed to vote as UK ministers set out reforms
DPA London The next British general election will see 16-year-olds able to vote for the first time, ministers have confirmed in wide-ranging plans to modernize the UK's democracy. The ruling Labour party's manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age for parliamentary elections to 16, in line with Scottish and Welsh elections. But plans announced on Thursday go further in an effort to increase participation in elections. Ministers have proposed introducing automated voter registration, which is already used in Australia and Canada, and making UK-issued bank cards an accepted form of ID at polling stations. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said 'far too many people' had been put off voting by the voter ID rules introduced by the previous government, with the Electoral Commission finding around 750,000 people did not vote due to a lack of ID. The government has already made the Veteran Card an accepted form of voter ID, and intends to allow digital forms of ID to be used when they become available. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: 'For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline. We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our plan for change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was 'important' to lower the voting age, as 16-year-olds were old enough to work and 'pay in' through tax, so should 'have the opportunity' to say how they wanted their money spent. But a poll of 500 16 and 17-year-olds conducted for ITV News by Merlin Strategy found only half said they thought they should be allowed to vote, and only 18% would definitely vote. Labour stood to gain the most, with 33% saying they would back the party, while 20% said they would choose Reform UK and 18% the Greens. Naomi Smith, chief executive of campaign group Best for Britain, said the change was 'a brave choice set to benefit generations to come,' and urged political parties to 'do more to win the votes of the UK's young people.' But in the House of Commons, Conservative shadow communities minister Paul Holmes accused the government of being 'hopelessly confused' about the age of majority. He said: 'Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry, or go to war, or even stand in the elections they're voting in?' Thursday's plans will also see a tightening of the rules on campaign finance aimed at barring 'shell companies' from donating to political parties and requiring more checks on donations to unincorporated associations. The Electoral Commission will be given the power to levy £500,000 ($670,000) fines on those who break the new rules on donations.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Burkina Faso ruling junta dissolves independent electoral commission
DAKAR, Senegal — Burkina Faso's military rulers have dissolved the country's independent electoral commission, authorities said. Since taking power in a 2022 coup, the West African country's military leaders have launched sweeping reforms, including postponing elections that were expected to restore civilian rule . The government passed a law late Wednesday abolishing the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is responsible for organizing elections, citing its high cost, Minister of Territorial Administration Emile Zerbo said after a Cabinet meeting.
