Enabling activity: Independence and integrity

The electoral system depends on the Electoral Commission being an independent non-partisan body, and we therefore hold ourselves to high standards of integrity. We work hard to ensure we are respected for our expertise, and that our advice and decision making are free from bias. Given our unique role, our integrity needs to be clear and demonstrable. We demonstrate our independence and integrity by:

• taking decisions on the evidence and being transparent about the reasons for them
• basing our policy positions and recommendations on analysis of evidence
• effectively communicating our work and views
• providing responsive services to those we support
• seek to maintain effective governance arrangements.

• We published information on closed regulatory investigations on a monthly basis, providing transparency on our findings and any potential sanctions. 
• We reviewed our Enforcement Policy, which we refer to when running an investigation. We sought views to ensure the policy is as clear and helpful as possible so that our approach to enforcement is transparent and can be easily understood. 
• We took an evidence-based approach when developing our consultation response to the UK Government’s Strategy and Policy Statement. The response highlighted that the introduction of such a mechanism – by which a government can guide the work of an electoral commission – is inconsistent with our role as an independent regulator and the body that oversees free and fair elections. 
• We provided parliamentarians with briefings to support their consideration of the Elections Bill as it passed through Parliament. 
• Our education resources are designed to be an independent source of material and information for educators to help them teach the issue of politics, without having to stray into politics. 
• We responded to queries from members of the public, parliamentarians, administrators, and regulated community, providing information and advice on the electoral system and democratic participation.
• We received 89 freedom of information (FOI) requests. We aim to respond to 90% of requests within the 20 working days statutory timeframe, and this year we responded to 97.7% within that timeframe. We were asked to conduct internal reviews into five FOI of our responses during the year, and all of these were responded to within agreed timeframes. 
• We received three subject access requests and 10 requests for erasure under the UKGDPR, all of which were responded to within the statutory response time frame of one calendar month. 
• We handled 28 complaints, compared to 96 in 2021/22. Of these, three were still under consideration at the end of the year. Of those completed, 17 were not upheld, two were partially upheld, two were fully upheld, two were closed due to no clarification being received from the complainant, and two were withdrawn.

• We use our complaints process as a chance to learn, and opportunities for continuous improvement were fed back to the relevant teams. We received one request for review by the Chief Executive. While this review did not change the original outcome of the complaint, it did enable further explanation and assistance. 
• Our dedicated public information service responded to 11,829 public enquiries during the year, received by phone, post and email. Through this service, we answered questions on a range of topics, including voter ID, voter registration and postal voting. We also responded to over 14,800 queries received via social media.
• We responded to 51 parliamentary questions at Westminster during 2022/23, including questions on voter ID – both on our campaign and the policy itself – unincorporated associations, donations to political parties and the proposed Strategy and Policy Statement. 
• Chris Matheson MP and Cat Smith MP, members of the Speaker’s Committee, were our spokespeople in the UK Parliament and answered questions on our behalf during the year.

• Election reports following the May 2023 elections will outline any recommendations we think are necessary to improve the system for voters, administrators, and campaigners. 
• We will continue to provide accurate and impartial information, guidance and advice to our stakeholders. 
• As we prepare for the UK Government’s likely introduction of a Strategy and Policy Statement for the Commission, the Commission’s commitment to independent decision-making remains firm.