Question

To ask the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what representations the Electoral Commission has received about monitoring and improving household canvasses from (a) hon. Members and (b) other bodies and individuals in each of the past four years.

Since 2016, the Commission has received letters from three Members of Parliament making representations about the annual electoral registration canvass of households, two in 2016 and one in 2018. The issues highlighted relate to a lack of clarity for constituents: about the purpose of the Household Enquiry Form sent during the canvass; about the wording used on the HEF; and about the purpose of a fine for failing to provide information in response to the form.

The Commission regularly receives representations from a wide range of other bodies and individuals on electoral registration matters. The issues highlighted above have also been reflected in those representations.

The Commission continues to work closely with the Cabinet Office to ensure that improvements to the current household canvass process will increase the future accuracy and completeness of the electoral registers.