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Elections: Voting System

Answer

The final figure for the conduct of the referendum will be known only once all accounts from regional counting officers and counting officers for the conduct of the poll have been received and settled. No direct costs will be incurred by local authorities as costs will be met centrally from the Consolidated Fund. We estimate that combining the referendum on the voting system with local elections and other polls on 5 May will have resulted in savings being made by central and local government. We have estimated that the cost of the referendum on the voting system to central government (its conduct and the cost of the mailings from the designated lead campaign organisations) is £89 million. The Electoral Commission also incurred costs in running the poll. It is wholly independent of government and is accountable to Parliament through the Speaker's Committee of the House of Commons. A member of the Speaker's Committee responds to questions about the operation of the Electoral Commission in the House of Commons. There is no mechanism for answering such questions in the House of Lords. However, I understand that the Electoral Commission intends to write to the noble Lord setting out the costs it incurred in delivering the referendum. A copy of this letter will also be placed on its website and in the Library of the House of Lords.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

10270; 730 c25-6WA

Session

2010-12

Related items

Deposited Paper DEP2011-1434
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Deposited papers
House of Lords

Subjects

Alternative vote Costs Referendums

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk