Making a decision about the timing of the publication of the register
The Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023 give you the power to postpone publication of the revised register in order for you to complete both the ECR process and the annual canvass.
The deadline for publication of the revised register is moved from 1 December 2024 to 1 February 2025. The option to delay publication gives you some flexibility to decide how to deliver both the annual canvass and the ECR in the implementation window in the way that best suits your local circumstances.
When making your decision about whether to delay the publication of the register, you will need to consider the impact that postponing the publication of the revised register may have on canvass processes and on the ECR processes.
For example: where you decide to delay publication of the revised register, there is no requirement to publish a monthly notice of alteration in the month you are publishing the revised register or in the two months before that day, but you may do so if you wish. Therefore, if publication of the revised register has been postponed to latest possible publication date of 1 February 2025, you will publish a monthly notice of alteration in October and November; you are not required to publish one in December or January, but you may do so if you wish.
Delaying publication of the register may mean there is more time for the canvass and personal visits associated with the ECR process. However, carrying out these tasks when there will be reduced daylight hours and inclement weather, may increase the risk of response rates being reduced particularly over the festive period.
Where you publish the revised register before 1 February 2025 deadline, any ECR determinations made after the mid-January determination deadline may not be reflected on the register until the publication of the notice of alteration that will be published on 3 March 2025.
Where you decide to postpone publication, you should take steps to make local political parties and elected representatives aware of the planned register publication date at an early stage.