Northern Ireland Assembly Parties’ Panel: 08 October 2024

1.1 KR welcomed attendees to the meeting.

2.1 The minutes and actions from previous meeting were agreed.
 

3.1 There were no issues raised by political parties in advance of the meeting.

4.1 JP said that the Election was largely positive from the Commission’s perspective despite the difficulties a short notice election gives. 
 

The panel was reminded that the Commission’s post-election report will be available In November. 

Issues around absent votes were raised as it was more problematic given summer holidays.

Acknowledgement was made that there is a significant need to collaborate with police and social media companies particularly regarding security of candidates. 

CM raised points regarding the abuse and intimidation of candidates and voters  

JP and DM discussed the treatment of the EONI staff working at the election. While it wasn’t a major issue at this election it was acknowledged that it could be an issue at future polls.

JP flagged the new Code of Conduct for Campaigners as a mechanism to change and challenge behaviours.  

JP also noted the need to continue to push voter registration, particularly given the Government’s commitment to introduce votes at 16.  JP then explained that we are finalising the Commission’s corporate plan to make sure we have what we need financially, for the whole of the UK. KR welcomed hearing that the Commission is thinking about Northern Ireland when creating corporate plan and conducting business.

5.1 CH highlighted that the code had originally been planned to be in place before the UKPGE, but the short notice of the election meant this was not possible. Feedback has largely been about compliance and enforceability. 
We use the words “must” and “should” in the code and references of “must” mean it is a legal requirement and “should” means behaviours we expect to see and will follow up if we do not see.  
We strongly encourage parties to provide evidence of unacceptable behaviours to the police. Any breaches around party financial spending rules should be referred to the Commission.

6.1. Electoral ID Cards reform 

DM explained that Electoral ID cards were routinely being requested for purposes other than the intended purpose of proof of identity when voting. There is also the potential for the cards to be used for fraudulent purposes when they are acquired for other reasons.

EONI is to move to an online service for applications for Electoral ID cards by Christmas time. The counter process, only available in one location, will be amended to mirror the current postal application service. Passport and driving licence will be removed from the list of acceptable forms of ID needed to apply for an Electoral ID card. This is because both are already acceptable forms of ID when voting.  
Applicants will have two options for applying, Option A, will mean they use some form of ID (not acceptable for voting) or Option B which will require an attestation by elected rep. 

CM felt that some older people might find it difficult to use an online facility. 

DM responded by saying that paper applications would remain available to those who wished to use them and that during election time, face to face appointments and pop-ups would be available those looking to obtain the card. 

DM said that this move would hopefully decrease the number of cards produced for those that already have acceptable forms of voter ID. 

6.2. Am I Registered / DRN – planned improvements  

Improvements are to be made to the “Am I registered/DRN” service on the website. A Northern Ireland specific address finder will be used, and anyone searching/requesting a DRN on behalf of another person will need to make a declaration confirming they have permission. Alongside this there will be a refinement of coding which will allow for some name variations to pass through without issue, for example Mc Neill / MacNeill. There have been 60 thousand users since 26th March.  

The system will not allow the same person to use it multiple times. 
and there are safety checks in place to prevent fraud, and EONI have already banned users from accessing this service due to potentially suspicious activity.

6.3. Absent votes. 

There was 50% more demand for absent votes at the 2024 UKPGE than for the UKPGE in 2019 and 70% more absent votes were counted.

The process of sending out absent votes as soon as they are processed rather than waiting for the deadline to pass and then send out all ballots meant that because voters got ballots earlier than previously, more voters ended up using them. 
 

6.4. Voter registration 

EONI are writing to 60 thousand EU electors, asking them to update/confirm their registration details in response to Elections Act changes.

In addition to this, 40 thousand households are being written to, to encourage 16+ year olds to register and/or obtain attainer status before they turn 18.

CM noted that schools were the ideal place to encourage registration and wanted to know if EONI had tried this.

DM EONI have used this method before but find that targeting parents works best.

KR raised concerns about children in care system missing out on this targeted letter.

DM explained that they are being written to in the same way so that supervising staff may assist in the same way some parents might.

KR also mentioned that at the DUP party conference it was raised that bands/football clubs could also be targeted to try and increase registration in some unionist communities.

JC agreed that it is something the party would like to look at.

CM mentioned that there are youth groups such as guides that could also be used to reach this audience.

6.5. New EONI website  

A new website is in development and the panel was asked to email [email protected] if they had suggestions they would like to see implemented. The new website should go live around Christmas.

7.1 CC explained an initiative by FWIN within Derry/Londonderry’s Fountain Estate, (a small unionist community within a predominately nationalist DEA) facilitated engagement between the Unionist women and their nationalist elected representatives.

CC explained that it was her belief that there is significant need for grassroot communities and the ‘powers that be’ to engage more in conversation with communities as there is currently a disconnect.

Parties should become more visible to those in rural communities and more engagement should be done within rural communities and with minority groups.

CC also raised concerns about the correspondence which was sent to those who did not respond to invitations to register. Some recipients have approached her, anxious that they will be fined if they do not register. This can be a concerning issue for those who do not have a good grasp of the English language or of the registration process.

DM advised that in some instances those unable to register may receive the letter because they may have provided different nationalities on various forms which would lead to EONI believing they may have franchise they do not.  

CC suggested that the EC fund awareness campaigns to help understanding of first past the post and STV systems. 

CC explained that all parties should have strong policies on sexual harassment and protecting women. Telling the panel how women are often targets for abuse and harassment in run up to elections. It has got worse due to the invent of social media. Online trolling can be done instantly and anonymously,  

CC welcomed EONI’s “Am I registered?” portal but suggested more promotion should be done with it as many would not know it is available to use.

CC also suggested that the volume of election material is overwhelming, and that amalgamating all party’s manifestos onto one page would be good for voters to compare or contrast candidates/parties.  

DM responded to CC’s comments on election material by saying 30% cost of election is the state paying for candidate postage. He thought that one page for all candidates was interesting as it is cost-effective.

KR suggested that posters too add to the waste around elections.

CC agreed, saying, that they usually end up on a bonfire, which is clearly not cost effective.

JP thanks CC and FWIC for their interesting perspectives which gives the Commission an opportunity to build on.

JP asked that FWIN share their women into leadership campaign. 

8.1 JH provided the panel with an update on the Commission’s annual progress report. The Commission received positive feedback on its approach and on its range of activities. Particularly its targeted support for underrepresented groups and provision for disabled voters. 

JH informed the panel that internal and external working groups were being set up to deliver on the Commission’s EDI action plan, taking an evidence-based approach and that they were adopting best practice approaches on how to attract, retain and develop our diverse talent.

The Commission is excited about what work it is doing and will keep parties informed. 

9.1 CH Reminded the panel that the voter ID report was now live. Whilst it focuses on the newly introduced policy in GB it might be of interest to NI parties. 

Recommendations were that the list of acceptable ID to vote in NI Should be aligned with the list in GB. 

DM said that lack of date of birth on some ID's is the reason they are not accepted, with Blue Badges a notable difference to the list of what is acceptable in GB but not in NI.

JP said that it was good to see EONI looking to take a “From Scratch” approach as the GB system is not perfect either so to completely copy this would not be wise.

10.1 RM Thanked parties for getting their party spending returns in and provided the following dates for parties. 

a. Deadline for submitting Quarter 3 (1 July 2024–30 September 2024) donations and loans reports - 30 October 2024 
b. Deadline for submitting spending return for the UK Parliamentary general election (expenditure over £250,000) - 4 January 2025

a. Tuesday 28 January

b. Tuesday 25 March

CM asked about the strategic policy statement and whether the Commission has spoken to the Labour Government about it.  

JP the Commission believes that it should be repealed, and the Government knows our principal objections, but we cannot say where this sits in their priorities.