Law should protect returning officers from abuse, electoral administrators say

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, the organisation also called for a single Electoral Administration Ac and a 30-working day election timetable. It stressed as well that electoral law should not be changed within six months of an election.

Referring to the local elections on 2 May, Peter Stanyon, the AEA's chief executive, wrote that "the effect of constant change without fundamental review and reform, combined with the scale of the task, makes elections harder than ever to deliver to the standard voters rightly expect".

The letter went on to make recommendations on election processes, including a renewed ask for a 30-working day election timetable for all polls, up from the current 25-working days.

It also urged ministers and officials "to always consider the Gould Principle", which says electoral law should not be changed within six months of an election that change would impact.

"It is imperative enough time is given to those delivering elections to incorporate change without introducing unnecessary risk to the system," the letter said.

The letter also expressed "alarm" at rising levels of abuse and intimidation aimed at candidates, campaigners and electoral administrators.

"This included disrespectful and menacing behaviour at some counts. There is no place for this in our democracy and it must not be tolerated," the correspondence said.

The Elections Act 2022 introduced a new penalty for intimidatory behaviour towards candidates and campaigners.

"We maintain there is a compelling argument to extend [the Act's] coverage to include ROs, EROs and their staff who have been subject to intimidation and efforts to undermine the electoral process," it said.

Elsewhere, it noted that the 'snap' nature of UK Parliamentary General Elections "means little can be prepared in advance", and the timetable allows no room for error.

It read: "Ballot papers can only be printed after nominations close 19 working days before polling day. However, electors can apply for a postal vote in Great Britain up to 11 working days before.

"Northern Ireland has a different system from the GB nations, with postal vote applications closing 14 working days before polling day.

"This lends weight to extra time, increasing capacity and resilience for all involved."

The AEA also said supplier capacity has to be "seriously assessed", highlighting issues with Royal Mail capacity, issues with printers working under the 25 working day timetable and with electoral management software suppliers having time to incorporate legislative changes in to their work.

It added: "Elections have been running on crumbling foundations for two decades. To continue building on such a fragile base risks compromising the entire electoral system. Unintended consequences often only come to light when stress-tested at elections, especially those with high turnouts.

"We look forward to discussing these matters with you in greater detail, and working together to improve how our elections work for everyone.

"In the interests of openness and transparency, we will be sharing this letter with our members and more widely."

Adam Carey