Two new members appointed to Electoral Commission board

Two new Commissioners have been appointed by the Speaker’s Committee to serve on the Electoral Commission Board. Rashik Parmar and Alan Mabbutt took up their roles earlier this month.

Rashik Parmar is a former Vice President of IBM and a distinguished digital leader with more than 42 years’ experience across the public, private, academic and not-for-profit sectors. He also holds an MBE for services to business and innovation, and runs a radio station in Leeds catering to the South Asian community. 

Alan Mabbutt OBE has been appointed as the Conservative Party-nominated Commissioner. He has a long career in party administration, having served as a national election agent and as the registered treasurer for the Conservative Party between 2015 and 2025. 

The Commission’s Corporate Plan commits to modernising how voters access election information and developing its use of data and technology. Rashik Parmar has spent four decades helping major organisations deliver complex technology change, including at the British Computer Society, the Open University and Imperial College London. He was selected to bring that experience to the Commission’s digital programme. Alan Mabbutt spent a decade as Registered Treasurer and Legal Officer for the Conservative Party, managing compliance with political finance law. His understanding of how parties operate within that framework will strengthen the Commission’s regulation of political finance.  

Their roles will include shaping the Commission's overall direction and ensuring its goals are met. This includes overseeing work to increase voter participation, modernise the electoral system, and strengthen the Commission’s regulatory capability across party finance and electoral administration.

John Pullinger, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said:

“We are delighted that Rashik Parmar and Alan Mabbutt join us as Commissioners, and we look forward to the experience and insights they will bring. 

“As Commissioners, they will play a key role in promoting public confidence in the democratic process and ensuring its integrity across the UK.”

Rashik Parmar said:

“The Electoral Commission is central to maintaining and delivering trust and confidence in our democratic processes.

“I look forward to contributing to the important work the Commission does and being a voice for voters and campaigners.”

Alan Mabbutt said:

“Trust in our democratic system depends on the essential work of the Electoral Commission. I’m looking forward to playing a part in strengthening that trust for the electoral community, including campaigners and voters.” 

The recruitment and selection process for Commissioners is conducted by the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, which is made up of MPs from across the parties represented in the UK Parliament. Appointments are approved by the House of Commons and appointed by the Monarch.

The Commission Board comprises: 

• A Chair
• Four Commissioners nominated by political parties. Three are put forward by the leaders of the three largest nominating parties, and the fourth is appointed from candidates put forward by the other parties. Nominating parties are registered parties with two or more Members of the House of Commons.
• Three Commissioners appointed as representative for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales,
• Two other Commissioners 

Ends

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or [email protected]