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Managing electoral registration services

Electoral registration guidance manual

We have produced a comprehensive guidance manual for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across Great Britain. This replaces Managing electoral services. The manual also covers applications for absent voting, as Electoral Registration Officers have a duty to process these.

The manual only covers electoral registration in England, Scotland and Wales. It does not deal with electoral registration in Northern Ireland.

A full copy of the registration manual in both English and Welsh can be downloaded by clicking on the following links (please note they are large files):

We have also made the manual available for download in parts:

English version   Welsh version
Managing electoral registration - Part A - Context (PDF)   Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan A - Cyd-destun (PDF) 
Managing electoral registration - Part B - Entitlement to register (PDF)    Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan B - Hawl i gofrestru (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part C - The annual canvass (PDF)   Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan C - Y canfasiad blynyddol (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part D - Monthly alterations to the register (PDF)   Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan Ch - Addasiadau misol i'r gofrestr (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part E - Improving completeness and accuracy (PDF)    Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan D - Gwella cyflawnrwydd a chywirdeb (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part F - Special category electors (PDF)   Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan Dd - Etholwyr categori arbennig (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part G - Absent voting (PDF)    Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan E - Pleidleisio absennol (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part H - Access and supply (PDF)   Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan F - Gweld y gofrestr a'i darparu (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part I - Accessibility and participation (PDF)   Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol - Rhan Ff - Hygyrchedd a chyfranogiad (PDF)
Managing electoral registration - Part J - Performance standards for EROs (PDF)    (Welsh language version of part J will be available soon) 
Managing electoral registration - Index (PDF)   Rheoli cofrestru etholiadol  - Mynegai (PDF)

Annual canvass

Circular EC18/2008 provides our latest advice on managing the 2008 canvass.

We have also produced a range of templates for EROs and electoral registration staff to use during the annual revision of the register of electors. These resources take into consideration the duties introduced by the Electoral Administration Act 2006.

The resources are intended to provide tools to support the management and delivery of the canvass, and the template format allows for local requirements to be incorporated into the individual products. The template materials consist of the following:

Resources to support the management of the canvass

Resources to support the briefing of canvassers

Welsh language canvass resources

Alternative language versions

The statement of the purpose of the annual canvass document is available in the following languages:

Rolling registration

Our rolling registration forms are available to download from our About My Vote website (with the Electoral Registration Officer's address pre-printed) and our electoral registration forms page (without the pre-printed address). Practical advice on how to maintain a complete and accurate register is provided in our electoral registration guidance manual. Resources for administrators and details on our public information campaigns can all be found on our Do Politics website.

Irregular rolling registration forms

If you have received or have any concerns relating to irregular rolling registration forms, you can log into the password protected area of our website for our latest advice.

Designing electoral services

This document has been prompted by the challenges facing new unitary authorities in setting up new electoral services units. It outlines the factors and highlights common issues that should be considered in designing a new service. We recognise that there is no 'one size fits all' solution but we  explore the best practice methods of establishing an effective structure and provide information for additional help and guidance for those involved in the process.