Jo calls for public to submit Election views

12.05.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Jul 2007

Jo Swinson wants members of the public to put forward their views on the problems surrounding the recent Scottish Elections.

The Scottish Election Review is currently investigating the circumstances that led to 146,000 ballot papers being spoiled in the Scottish Elections on May 3rd. Ron Gould, the international expert chairing the Review, has called for the public to submit their views to a consultation on the elections.

Jo said:

"Lessons must be learnt from the chaos that occurred on the night of May 3rd, so that the same mistakes are not repeated in future. A key part of this process involves listening to voters; those people who visited polling stations on Election Day, many of whom ended up disenfranchised.

"There are a number of areas that the Review particularly wants to hear from people on, such as the design of the new combined ballot paper, the distribution of postal ballots, the impact of holding Scottish and local elections on the same day, the electronic counting of ballots and the public information campaign prior to the election.

"By recounting their election experiences through the consultation, residents can help make sure things run more smoothly next time round."

Members of the public can give their views by submitting a comment through the website at www.scottishelectionsreview.org.uk, by email to consultation@scottishelectionsreview.org.uk; or in writing to The Scottish Elections Review, 93 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 3ES. People are being asked to indicate whether they are writing as a voter, election official, candidate or agent.

Related Links:

Scottish Elections Review

Electoral Commission