Tweet
1 December 2010
Last updated at 20:27 ET
Returning officers have been urged to "learn the lessons" of the chaos outside some polling stations in May.
Hundreds of people were unable to vote in the general election by the 2200 deadline after polling stations shut while they were queuing outside.
The Electoral Commission said it would step up its monitoring to prevent a repeat in next year's local elections.
It said councils must plan "thoroughly" for these and a referendum on voting reform also set to be held on 5 May.
Ministers plan to hold a referendum on the Westminster voting system on the same day as devolved elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and local election in many parts of England.
This has raised concerns about the capacity of some local authorities to conduct simultaneous polls given the logistical challenges involved in what would be the first UK-wide referendum since 1975.
'Clear instructions' Publishing a report on the performance of returning officers in May's election, the watchdog said it was vital that councils prepared "thoroughly" for next year's polls.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
"It is essential returning officers learn from mistakes that were made at this year's polls," said Peter Wardle, the organisation's chief executive.
"We will be providing clear instructions and guidance that set out the plans and processes that those running the polls next year need to have in place well in advance.
"And rather than assessing performance after the polls, we will be actively monitoring it during planning to catch any problems before they affect voters."
The Electoral Commission has urged ministers to change the law to enable people queuing inside polling stations when polls close at 2200 to be given ballots paper.
Ministers have said they are considering the issue but do not believe passing a law is the best way forward and councils should instead focus on improving their procedures.
Unexpected turnout In May, almost 30 polling stations across 16 constituencies were affected, with officials blaming the problems on higher than expected turnout and a rush of people turning up to vote late in the evening.
Despite this, the watchdog concluded that returning officers in the majority of 40,000 polling stations oversaw a smooth, well-run election in May.
It said 95% of returning officers either met or exceeded benchmark standards for planning, organisation and training while 94% met or exceeded standards for the integrity of the operation.
"We have been encouraged both by the overall level of performance against the standards and by the willingness of returning officers and their teams to use the performance standards framework as a basis for continued improvement," Mr Wardle added.
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software
Hundreds of people were unable to vote in the general election by the 2200 deadline after polling stations shut while they were queuing outside.
The Electoral Commission said it would step up its monitoring to prevent a repeat in next year's local elections.
It said councils must plan "thoroughly" for these and a referendum on voting reform also set to be held on 5 May.
Ministers plan to hold a referendum on the Westminster voting system on the same day as devolved elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and local election in many parts of England.
This has raised concerns about the capacity of some local authorities to conduct simultaneous polls given the logistical challenges involved in what would be the first UK-wide referendum since 1975.
'Clear instructions' Publishing a report on the performance of returning officers in May's election, the watchdog said it was vital that councils prepared "thoroughly" for next year's polls.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
We will be providing clear instructions and guidance that set out the plans and processes that those running the polls next year need to have in place well in advance”
End Quote
Peter Wardle
Electoral Commission chief executive
"It is essential returning officers learn from mistakes that were made at this year's polls," said Peter Wardle, the organisation's chief executive.
"We will be providing clear instructions and guidance that set out the plans and processes that those running the polls next year need to have in place well in advance.
"And rather than assessing performance after the polls, we will be actively monitoring it during planning to catch any problems before they affect voters."
The Electoral Commission has urged ministers to change the law to enable people queuing inside polling stations when polls close at 2200 to be given ballots paper.
Ministers have said they are considering the issue but do not believe passing a law is the best way forward and councils should instead focus on improving their procedures.
Unexpected turnout In May, almost 30 polling stations across 16 constituencies were affected, with officials blaming the problems on higher than expected turnout and a rush of people turning up to vote late in the evening.
Despite this, the watchdog concluded that returning officers in the majority of 40,000 polling stations oversaw a smooth, well-run election in May.
It said 95% of returning officers either met or exceeded benchmark standards for planning, organisation and training while 94% met or exceeded standards for the integrity of the operation.
"We have been encouraged both by the overall level of performance against the standards and by the willingness of returning officers and their teams to use the performance standards framework as a basis for continued improvement," Mr Wardle added.
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software