Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the answer of 7 September 2026, to Question 21240, on Returning Officers, whether the Electoral Commission has issued advice or guidance to Election Returning Officers on whether they must share, on request with candidates, agents and counting agents, the number of ballots issued at each polling station.

The Commission publishes guidance for Returning Officers about providing information about the number of ballot papers issued. It is for Returning Officers to decide whether polling station staff release this information; if they do, it must be done carefully so as not to release any information that may risk breaching the secrecy of the ballot. The Commission’s guidance includes how polling station staff can calculate the number of ballot papers issued.