UK Postal Voting System Under Pressure, Electoral Watchdog Cautions
The Electoral Commission has expressed concern over delays in ballot deliveries to Scotland and parts of southern England.
Britain’s electoral watchdog issued a warning on Tuesday about the pressures facing the country’s postal voting system.
Scotland, in particular, has been significantly impacted by the delays, as the July 4 poll coincides with the start of the school holidays, leading to an expected increase in early voting.
This news has prompted SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn to call for significant reform of the postal voting system.
Flynn told the BBC that the issues risk disenfranchising voters, pointing out that blaming the Royal Mail is not the solution, but rather a need for substantial reform.
Some councils in Kent, Essex, and Devon in southern England have also reported problems with late arrivals of postal ballots.
Earlier on Tuesday, Health Minister Maria Caulfield noted that the delays were under urgent investigation by Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake in an interview with Sky News.
Caulfield stated, “If people have only just received their postal vote, they can take it to their polling station on election day, and it will still be counted.”
Disenfranchisement
On Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed no concern about disenfranchisement due to delays in postal ballots before Thursday’s vote.
The PM’s official spokesman mentioned that they were addressing concerns about the printing and delivery of postal ballot packs in certain local areas and working closely with relevant parties for resolution.
Those who have not yet received their ballots are advised to contact their returning officer for reissuance or apply for an emergency proxy vote.
According to the Electoral Commission, voters can apply for an emergency proxy only in cases where unexpected circumstances prevent them from voting.
A spokesperson for the watchdog assured that most postal votes have been delivered, with plans in place to ensure all votes are counted in time. Voters can also hand in their ballots on polling day or have someone do it on their behalf.
Royal Mail confirmed they have no backlog of postal votes and are working to deliver them on time. They support a review of the election timetable to improve the postal voting process.
Local councils are responsible for mailing out postal ballot forms, and completed votes must reach councils by 10 p.m. on July 4.
PA Media contributed to this report.
