Running electoral registration - Scotland

Deletions supported by evidence that an elector has died

You may delete an elector’s entry from the register without a review if you have:1

  • been given a death certificate in respect of the elector 
  • been notified by the registrar of births and deaths that an elector has died
  • received information:
    • as a result of the canvass (for example, a returned canvass communication with an elector marked as deceased) 
    • from the records of the council that appointed you
    • from a person or organisation providing services to the council that appointed you
    • from a close relative (spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the elector). 
    • from a care home manager of a registered care home2  

Where the information is provided by a close relative it must include: 

  • the full name and address of the elector who has died
  • the full name and address of the person providing the information
  • their relationship to the deceased
  • a statement that the person providing the information is aware of the penalty for providing false information3  

Where the information is provided by a care home manager of a registered care home it must include: 

  • the full name and address of the elector who has died
  • the full name and address of the person providing the information
  • a statement that the person providing the information is aware of the penalty for providing false information4  

Information provided by a close relative or care home manager can be provided in writing, in person or by telephone. Where information is provided in person or by telephone, you must record the information in writing or in data form.

Where you delete an elector’s entry from the register because they have died, you should maintain an audit trail of the reasons for your actions. In relation to notifications from the registrar of births and deaths, you should bear in mind that a death must only be notified to the registrar responsible for the area in which the death occurred, and if an elector registered in your area dies elsewhere you are unlikely to receive formal notification.

If you are informed that a person has died in any circumstance other than those listed, you will need to obtain a second source of information before you can remove the elector. For example, you could contact the registrar to obtain formal notification of the death, which would allow you to delete the entry without further information or a review.

For further information see our guidance on the records which you can inspect.
 

Last updated: 27 May 2021