Running electoral registration - Scotland

Once you have approved an application you must issue an Anonymous Elector’s document to the applicant.1  

Anonymous Elector’s Documents must be produced in house, rather than through the use of an external supplier. This is a security measure to ensure that the applicant’s personal information remains safe. You should ensure that you have the resources you require to produce Anonymous Elector’s Documents. This will include specialist paper meeting the security requirements for printing Anonymous Elector’s Documents.

The specialist paper needed to produce Anonymous Elector’s Documents will be provided to each ERO via UK Government’s arrangement with a specialist printer. This paper will need to be stored securely in the same way that you store anonymous elector application documents. The paper will contain serial numbers and you will be required to keep records of use of this paper to produce Anonymous Elector’s Documents. If you need to reorder more paper, you will need to contact the responsible Division in the UK Government (currently Elections Division in DLUHC).

An Anonymous Elector’s Document must include:2  

• the date of issue
• the applicant’s photograph 
• the applicant’s electoral number
• the appropriate identifier

The appropriate identifier is made up of 20 numbers or letters which you allocate to each Anonymous Elector’s Document.3 This will be generated by the EROP.

More information about how the production process works will be provided in the EROP guidance.