The consultation stage is for representations and comments to be made on the existing and proposed arrangements for polling districts and polling places. There are two aspects of this stage:
A compulsory submission from the (A)RO of the UK Parliamentary constituency or constituencies, which must then be published by the local authority
Submissions from electors and other interested persons and bodies, including elected representatives and those with expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for disabled people
The submission from the (A)RO
The (A)RO’s submission must:
comment on both the existing polling stations and the polling stations that would likely be used based on any proposed polling places
contain information as to the location of polling stations within polling places
The local authority must publish the (A)RO’s comments within 30 calendar days of receipt. The comments should be published at the local authority offices and in at least one conspicuous place within each UK Parliamentary constituency contained wholly or partly in the local authority area.
The (A)RO’s response could be copied and made available for residents to view. They should also be published on the local authority’s website.
The submissions from the consultees
The authority should consult widely on the review and should seek out the views of interested groups or bodies, including:
electors
candidates and agents
political parties
members of the council
other elected representatives
It will be particularly important to consult with those who have specific experience of assessing access for persons with different disabilities. These could include:
disability sections
occupational health departments within the council
local and national disability groups
The authority should give consideration to the different types of disability which may make voting in person more difficult, and should also consider the council’s own policy on disabled access. Consultees should be asked for comment both in general and, if appropriate, about particular buildings or areas within the authority.
Any persons involved in the consultation have the right to comment on the recommendations proposed by the (A)RO.
Any elector for a UK Parliamentary constituency either wholly within or partly within the local authority area may comment on any of the recommendations within the whole local authority area.
Any person or body that makes a comment should be invited to suggest alternative polling districts/polling places and should be encouraged to give a reason for the alternative proposal so that it may be given appropriate consideration.