The electoral system depends on the Electoral Commission being an independent non-partisan body, and so we 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
  • Seeking to maintain effective governance arrangements.

Work done to achieve this aim

  • We published information every month on closed investigations, providing transparency and helping to promote compliance. 
  • We provided parliamentarians with accurate and impartial briefings to help their consideration of elements in the Elections Act. We also worked closely with officials in the Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities to assist their thinking on the details of secondary legislation. 
  • 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 182 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 90.9% within that timeframe. We were asked to conduct internal reviews into seven of our responses during the year, and all of these were responded to within agreed timeframes.
  • On 8 August 2023, the Commission announced that it had been the victim of a sophisticated cyber-attack. In line with data protection requirements, a public notification was published on our website to inform members of the public whose information may have been accessed, and a separate notification was issued to Commission staff and Commissioners. A question-and-answer document was also published and information on ways to contact the Commission with any concerns or questions. 
  • We received 415 subject access requests (SAR) and 64 requests for erasure under the UK General Data Protection Regulation. Due to high volumes, 6.79% were responded to within the statutory response time frame of one calendar month. SAR and right to erasure (RTE) figures were significantly higher due to the public announcement of the cyber-attack on the Commission.
  • We handled 13 complaints, compared to 28 in 2022/23. Of these, one was still under consideration at the end of the year. Of those completed, 12 were not upheld.
  • Our dedicated public information service responded to 14,699 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 71,950 queries received via social media.
  • We responded to 36 parliamentary questions at Westminster during 2023/24, including questions on voter ID – such as voters being turned away and its impact on particular demographic groups – political finance regulation, spending limits, and misinformation.
  • Cat Smith MP and Owen Thompson MP, members of the Speaker’s Committee, were our spokespeople in the UK Parliament and answered questions on our behalf during the year.

Performance indicators

IndicatorTarget2023-24
Timely1  responses to social media enquiries100%100%
Timely responses to public enquiries via calls, letters and emails100%99.12%
Timely responses to valid subject access requests2 100%6.79%
Timely responses to valid freedom of information requests90%90.9%

Ongoing and future work to achieve this aim

  • We will have due regard to the UK Government’s Strategy and Policy Statement, alongside all other relevant considerations, and will report on how we have done so to the Speaker’s Committee. We will continue to operate independently and transparently and be accountable to Parliament, ensuring we are contributing to public confidence in the democratic system. 
  • Publish post-poll reports following the May 2024 polls and a general election that provide an evidence-based assessment of their delivery and use the evidence to make recommendations for improvement.
  • Continue to provide impartial, accurate and timely information and advice to our stakeholders, including voters. These services are particularly relied upon in the run up to a general election, so staffing levels will be ready to reflect that.