Appeals that raise issues of disabled access may make points relating to the review process, for example, whether there was sufficient consultation and consideration of accessibility during the review, and also points relating to the outcome of the review, for example whether the designated polling place is sufficiently accessible. The Commission will consider how both of these types of issues were addressed in the polling place review.
We have produced an accessibility check list which sets out key considerations we would expect to be made in assessing the suitability of each polling place and polling station.
In addition to writing to those groups or individuals the local authority has identified as having expertise in access issues, the authority should also have engaged any internal disability access group and/or disability officer as part of the review. If no such group or officer is available, an external disability expert should have been used.
On the outcome of the review, the Commission would expect that so far as is reasonable and practicable the polling place that is designated is accessible to electors who are disabled as required by legislation.1
This will depend on local circumstances, including, for example, the availability of buildings in the area that could be used as a polling place. If a polling place has been selected that is not fully accessible, then reasonable adjustments must be undertaken to provide access for all electors.
Alternatively, the authority / CEONI has the power to consider as part of the review whether it would be appropriate to designate a polling place that falls outside the polling district.