INABILITY OF PEOPLE TO VOTE ON POLLING DAY

Early day motion 1, tabled 25 May 2010 by John Leech (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 43 members.

That this House notes with concern that a significant number of electors around the country were turned away from polling stations on 6 May 2010, denying them the right to vote even though they turned up before the close of poll; welcomes the Electoral Commission's recent report that a change in the law should be introduced so that everyone turning up before the close of poll should be afforded the opportunity to vote; further welcomes its recommendation that local authorities review the number of polling districts and polling stations as well as contingency arrangements in the event of future problems; notes with particular concern that confusion over eligibility to vote in either election was a significant factor in delaying the voting process; calls on the Government to make changes in the law to avoid multiple elections taking place on the same day in future; and further calls on local authorities to take note of the Electoral Commission's recommendations, and carry out a review of polling districts and the number of polling stations available for people to cast their vote.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 18, Labour 12, Conservative 5, DUP 5, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.