When planning for the ECR process you will also need to take into consideration the interaction between the ECR data-based review component, the canvass data match and the assigning of canvass routes.
You may decide to conduct the ECR data-based review shortly before you submit your register for the canvass data match. After you have completed these processes, you will need to assign canvass routes. The Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023 do not require you to assign routes in a particular way, so you will therefore be able to use your discretion for this depending on your local context.
When assigning canvass routes you should consider:
the results of the national data matching process and any local data matching which you have already completed
whether one member of, or a whole household, has been flagged as needing to be reviewed by correspondence for the ECR
that the canvass process will not enable you to make a determination as to EU citizen’s eligibility to remain registered
how to ensure that electors are not confused when receiving communications from you relating to the canvass and the ECR. You should work with your communications team to plan your strategy for this purpose
Where one member of or a whole household has been flagged as needing to be reviewed by correspondence for the ECR, you may choose to assign these properties to route 2, but there is no requirement to do so.
In all the decisions that you make, you should ensure that you keep a clear audit trail of your decision-making process.