Media handbook

Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 15 November 2012

August 2012

Translations and other formats For information on obtaining this publication in another language or in a large-print or Braille version, please contact the Electoral Commission: Tel: 020 7271 0500 Email: publications@electoralcommission.org.uk
The Electoral Commission 2012

Media contacts and resources

Electoral Commission press office
Karim Aziz Senior Media Relations Officer 020 7271 0704 kaziz@electoralcommission.org.uk Rosemary Davenport Media Relations Officer 020 7271 0704 rdavenport@electoralcommission.org.uk Rhydian Thomas Deputy Head, Wales Office 02920 346 800 rthomas@electoralcommission.org.uk Out of office hours: 07789 920 414 Email: press@electoralcommission.org.uk Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ElectoralCommUK

Home Office press office

020 7035 3535

Websites
www.electoralcommission.org.uk Our website has a dedicated section for journalists featuring the Electoral Commissions news and views. This includes our press releases and briefings to the House of Commons and the House of Lords on issues that directly affect voters. The website also has an Elections area containing our guidance for candidates, Local Returning Officers and PAROs. www.aboutmyvote.co.uk This website provides information for the public on how to register and vote and forms they can print off to register and apply to vote by post or proxy. It includes a postcode search facility allowing people to find out where elections are taking place and an interactive polling station walkthrough. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/pcc This website provides information for the public, partners and prospective candidates about Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). It includes information on the role of the PCC and what their responsibilities will be. Partners can access information about working with PCCs. Briefings on national issues for prospective candidates are also available. This website is regularly updated with latest news to ensure everyone is kept abreast of developments in relation to the transition to PCCs.
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Contents
1 2 Introduction: The Police and Crime Commissioner elections Roles and responsibilities for the running of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections Election timetable 3 4

SECTION A Candidates and campaigning 4 5 6 Becoming a candidate The election campaign Candidate spending in the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 7 Electoral fraud 17 7 9 12

SECTION B The voter 8 9 10 11 Who can vote? The voting process Public engagement with these elections Challenging the result 20 22 25 27

Appendix Appendix A Police Force areas being contested Appendix B EU and Commonwealth countries whose citizens can register to vote 28 29

1 Introduction: The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections

1.1 Why are there Police and Crime Commissioner elections? The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 received Royal Assent on 15 September 2011. This stated that there was to be an elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for every police area in England (excluding London) and Wales. To see the Electoral Commissions briefings outlining our views on key aspects of the Bill as it made its way through the House of Commons and the House of Lords, visit http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-media/our-views/changes-tothe-law#Police 1.2 What will a PCC be responsible for? Police and Crime Commissioner are new elected roles that will replace local police authorities. PCCs will not run the police, but will be responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account for the public. They will be able to: produce a police and crime plan setting out local policing priorities. set the local policing budget and decide how money will be spent. appoint chief constables and remove them where needed.

For further information of what role PCCs will play in their police force area and the powers that they will have, visit the Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/pcc 1.3 When are the PCC elections taking place? On Thursday 15 November 2012 registered voters in England (excluding London) and Wales, will vote for the PCC candidate they want to represent their police force area. Elections are taking place in 41 police force areas. 1.4 Are there any other elections on 15 November? The election for mayor of Bristol takes place on Thursday 15 November 2012. A referendum on whether to retain a directly elected mayor in Hartlepool will also take place on this day.

2 Roles and responsibilities for the running of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections
2.1 Electoral Registration Officers Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are responsible for the preparation and maintenance of the electoral register and list of absent voters within their area. This year, the Government has brought forward the Annual Canvass to help EROs ensure the electoral register is as complete and accurate as possible ahead of the PCC elections. 2.2 Police Area Returning Officers Each of the 41 police areas in England (excluding London) and Wales has a Police Area Returning Officer (PARO). They are appointed by the Secretary of State. The PARO is by law responsible for: giving notice of the election managing the nomination process and the submission of candidates election addresses the calculation and declaration of the result

The PAROs are responsible for the overall conduct of the PCC election for their police area. Their duty is to co-ordinate the work of Local Returning Officers in the police area. To find out the name of the PARO for the police force area being contested, contact the Home Office directly. A full list of police force areas can be found in Appendix A, page 30 2.3 Local Returning Officers Local Returning Officers (LROs) are personally responsible for the administration of the PCC election in their voting area. Their responsibilities include: the conduct of the poll the printing of the ballot papers appointing Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks managing the postal voting process
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the verification and counting of votes

The Electoral Commission sets and monitors performance standards for Electoral Registration Officers, Police Area Returning Officers and Local Returning Officers. 2.4 The Home Office The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 established the election of PCCs. The Home Offices main responsibilities include: setting the rules for the elections setting the spending limits for candidates in the elections (see 6.1) raising awareness of PCCs their roles and responsibilities

The Home Office will also host an online candidate website which will contain candidates election addresses (see 5.1). Police Area Returning Officers will be responsible for uploading candidates addresses once they receive the content from candidates. The Home Office also plan to run a campaign to raise awareness and understanding amongst the public of what PCCs will do. 2.5 The Electoral Commission The Electoral Commissions role in the PCC elections is to regulate candidates donations and campaign spending; to provide guidance and set performance standards for those involved in the running of the election; and to raise public awareness of the elections. The Electoral Commission has produced guidance for candidates and their agents on: how to stand as a party or independent candidate. what candidates can spend in the elections. how, and to whom, candidates must report their campaign spending returns.

3 Election timetable
Event
Last day for publication of notice of election Start of the regulated period for candidates Publication of revised register following annual canvass Deadline for candidates to deliver nomination papers to Police Area Returning Officer Publication of statement of persons nominated Deadline for candidates to withdraw Deadline for applying for a postal vote Deadline for registering to vote Notice of poll Deadline for applying for a proxy vote (except for medical emergencies)

Date
Monday 8 October Monday 8 October Tuesday 16 October Noon on Friday 19 October Noon on Tuesday 23 October Noon on Wednesday 24 October 5pm, Wednesday 31 October Wednesday 31 October Not later than Wednesday 7 November 5pm, Wednesday 7 November

Deadline for issuing replacement postal ballot 5pm, Thursday 15 November papers Deadline for applying for a proxy vote in a medical emergency Polling day Election count Last day for submission of candidate spending returns to the Police Area Returning Officer 5pm, Thursday 15 November 7am to 10pm, Thursday 15 November Thursday 15 November or Friday 16 November 1 Thursday 24 January 2013 for results announced on Thursday 15 November Or Friday 25 January 2013 for results announced on Friday 16 November

Each PARO is responsible for deciding whether the count should begin overnight or start the following day.

SECTION A Candidates and campaigning

4 Becoming a candidate
4.1 Who can become a candidate? Anyone who wants to become a Police and Crime Commissioner candidate must be: at least 18 years old on the day of nomination a British or Irish citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of any member state of the European Union registered to vote in a local authority that is within the police area in which the candidate wishes to stand, both at the time of nomination and on polling day

4.2 Are there any rules barring a candidate from standing? Some of the rules barring a candidate from standing to become a Police and Crime Commissioner include if: they are a police officer or are directly or indirectly employed by the police they have been convicted of an imprisonable offence as defined in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 they are the subject of a bankruptcy restriction order

For more detailed guidance on what disqualifies someone from standing to be a Police and Crime Commissioner, see Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents, Part 1, pages 3 5 here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/148743/PC C-Part-1-Can-you-stand-for-election.pdf 4.3 What are the rules around elected politicians standing? Members of the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly or the European Parliament may stand to be a Police and Crime Commissioner. However, if they are elected, they must resign their seat before taking up their post. 4.4 How does someone become a candidate? Candidates can choose to stand for election as a Police and Crime Commissioner either as a party candidate or as an independent candidate.
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Nominations formally open on the day the notice of election is published (no later than Monday 8 October 2012). However prospective candidates can be selected by their party, or announce their intention to stand before this. Nominations must be delivered to the PARO by noon on Friday 19 October. 4.5 What does someone who wants to stand as a party candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections have to do? Prospective party candidates for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections must submit the following to their Police Area Returning Officer: completed nomination, home address and consent to nomination forms the signatures of 100 registered voters from the police area supporting the nomination a deposit of 5,000 a certificate from the political party authorising the use of the party name, and a written request to use one of the partys emblems

4.6 What does someone who wants to stand as an independent candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections have to do? Prospective independent candidates for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections must submit the following to their Police Area Returning Officer: completed nomination, home address and consent to nomination forms the signatures of 100 registered voters from the police area supporting the nomination a deposit of 5,000

4.7 How can we know who all of the candidates are? The relevant Police Area Returning Officer will publish the full list of candidates standing by noon on Tuesday 23 October. To find out how the PARO will publish this list, contact them directly. Candidates can still withdraw up to noon on Wednesday 24 October.

5 The election campaign

5.1 How can candidates get their message out to voters? The Home Office will host a candidate information website which will contain official election addresses for each candidate standing to be a Police and Crime Commissioner. The election address will be uploaded to the website by PAROs. Voters who are unable to access this information online will be able to call a phone number to request a hardcopy to be sent to them via the post. This is a significant departure from what is provided for UK Parliamentary, European Parliament and Mayoral elections where candidates could expect a publicly funded mailing or booklet distributed locally. Since spring, the Electoral Commission has made a number of recommendations to the Government to ensure that PAROs, candidates and voters can have trust and confidence in the website. Candidates are still able to send their own leaflets and campaign as they would at other elections. 5.2 How will candidates be able to get their election address on to this website? It is the responsibility of the Police Area Returning Officer to publish candidates election addresses on to the PCC candidate information website. PAROs will provide a template form to candidates in order for them to create their election address. By law, it must: only contain information relating to the election be completed in a standard format be prepared by the candidates election agent (or the candidate themselves if they are acting as their own agent) be no longer than 300 words

Candidates election addresses will be published near the end of October. The publication date will be confirmed nearer the time. For more information on when the candidates election addresses will be published, contact the Home Office directly. For more information on what can and cannot be included in the election addresses for the candidates website, see Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents, Part 4, pages 12 15 here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/148746/PC C-Part-4-The-campaign.pdf
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5.3 What provisions are being made for voters who cant access these election addresses? The Home Office will offer voters a print on demand service via a call centre if they cannot access the internet. 5.4 What can candidates say about one another during the campaign? As at all elections, it is illegal to make a false statement about the personal character of a candidate in order to affect the election of a candidate. Rules about defamation also apply to election materials. The police may investigate allegations of the specific electoral criminal offence of making a false statement. Defamation issues are a matter for the civil courts. The Electoral Commission does not have any regulatory role in relation to the content of campaign material, as is the case at other elections. 5.5 Are there any electoral rules regarding campaign materials? Yes. By law, candidates must use imprints on all their campaign material. 5.6 What is an imprint? All printed material (i.e. posters, placards and leaflets) must include the name and address of the printer and promoter. This is so that electors can be clear about the source of campaign material. For more information about what should and should not be on campaign materials, see Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents, Part 4, pages 9 12 here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/148746/PC C-Part-4-The-campaign.pdf 5.7 Will there be party political broadcasts ahead of these elections? No. There will not be any party political broadcasts ahead of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. 5.8 Can candidates see the electoral register? A candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections can request a copy of the full electoral register for the area in which they are standing. Candidates and agents are not allowed to pass on details from the register, disclose any information or use it for anything other than electoral purposes.

5.9 Can voters opt out of being on the full register?

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No. Voters are included in the full version of the electoral register but they can choose to opt out of having their details published on the edited version. For more information about access to and use of the electoral register by candidates and agents, see Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents, Part 4, pages 7 9 here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/148746/PC C-Part-4-The-campaign.pdf 5.10 Are there rules on impartiality for the media during the election campaign? News reports, features and editorials in print or online media are not subject to electoral law, and the law does not require them to be impartial. Paid for advertising (including free advertising that would normally be paid for) promoting a candidate or party should be included in a candidates election expenses, and subject to the normal rules surrounding campaign materials (See 6.3). Political impartiality in broadcast media is covered by the editorial guidelines relevant to that particular broadcaster: The BBCs editorial guidelines on broadcasting during an election can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidelines Commercial broadcasters are subject to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, which can be found at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcastcodes/broadcast-code

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6 Candidate spending in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections

6.1 How much can candidates spending on their election campaigns? The spending limits for each candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections were set by the Government and vary depending on the police area. Police Area Avon and Somerset Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cleveland Cumbria Derbyshire Devon and Cornwall Dorset Durham Dyfed-Powys Essex Gloucestershire Greater Manchester Gwent Hampshire Hertfordshire Humberside Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Merseyside Norfolk North Wales Spending Limit 222,851 83,681 108,754 142,720 76,889 72,231 141,933 233,281 106,888 89,055 72,622 234,412 86,344 356,204 78,422 260,591 151,378 126,520 228,338 201,729 140,496 99,900 182,529 120,662 95,241

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North Yorkshire Northamptonshire Northumbria Nottinghamshire South Wales South Yorkshire Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Sussex Thames Valley Warwickshire West Mercia West Midlands West Yorkshire Wiltshire

111,814 95,663 195,548 146,305 174,179 178,637 153,313 100,698 154,401 219,983 303,303 76,476 168,735 357,435 287,255 93,682

The limits apply to any spending incurred during the regulated period (see 6.2). The limits also apply to spending that took place before the regulated period on things (such as leaflets) which are then used during the period. 6.2 When is the regulated period? The regulated period for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections runs from Monday 8 October until the close of poll on Thursday 15 November 2012. 6.3 What activities count towards the spending limit? Candidate spending is defined as items, facilities and services that are used for the purpose of election during the regulated period. These activities include: advertising of any kind (except the official election address that candidates place on the Home Offices candidate website). For example, posters, newspaper adverts, websites or YouTube videos unsolicited material sent to voters. For example, letters or leaflets transport costs public meetings staff costs. For example, the salary of an agent or other staff
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administrative costs. For example, telephone bills, stationary and photocopying

For more information on what activities count towards the spending limits, see Electoral Commission Guidance for candidates and agents, part 3, page 11 here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/148740/PC C-Guidance-for-candidates-and-agents-Part-3-of-6-Spending-and-donations.pdf 6.4 Are candidates allowed to spend money on their election bid before the regulated period begins? Yes. However, items or services bought before the regulated period begins, but used during it will count towards the spending limit. 6.5 What rules apply to hustings? Hustings can be organised by anyone, and are events designed to give the public an opportunity to hear from the candidates standing for election in their area. There is no legal requirement for the person or body organising a husting to invite all candidates or parties standing in an area. However, if the organiser only invites some candidates or parties, then a share of the costs of the event may count towards the election spending of those who are invited. If all candidates are invited (even if they do not all attend), then it does not count towards their election expenses. The Electoral Commission has produced guidance for parties, candidates, agents and hustings organisers. The Hustings guidance is available at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/105946/sp-hustingsrp-npc-ca.pdf 6.6 Is there a limit on donations a candidate can accept in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections? No. However, candidates can only accept donations of money, items or services worth more than 50 towards their campaign spending from a permissible source (see Section 6.7). All donations worth more than 50 must be published in the candidates spending return. Candidates do not need to declare donations with a value of 50 or less. 6.7 Who can make donations to candidates? Anyone can make a donation worth less than 50 to candidates.
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Candidates must ensure they only accept donations of more than 50 from a permissible source. Donations that are not from a permissible source must be returned within 30 days. After that, the donation may be forfeited. Permissible donors in the UK are defined as: an individual on a UK electoral register a GB registered political party a UK registered company which is incorporated within the EU and carries on business in the UK a UK registered trade union a UK registered building society a UK registered limited liability partnership a UK registered friendly/building society a UK based unincorporated association

For an overview of the rules and more detail on what counts as a donation and accepting donations, see Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents, part 3 Section B, here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/148740/PC C-Guidance-for-candidates-and-agents-Part-3-of-6-Spending-and-donations.pdf 6.8 To what extent can political parties fund their candidates? Political parties can spend as much as they like on national campaigns for their Police and Crime Commissioner candidates. Some political parties run a fighting fund for their candidates. Donations to that fund are made to the party, rather than to the candidate and are reported accordingly. This applies unless it is clear that the donation is personal to the individual candidate. In this situation, the candidate would have to report the donation(s) as part of their campaign spending return, if it came during the regulated period. To search donations made to political parties, visit the Electoral Commissions Party Election Finance register at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/PEFonline-registers 6.9 Do candidates have to report donations they receive? Any donations over 50 received during the regulated period should be reported in the candidate spending return which is submitted to the relevant Police Area Returning Officer. Some candidates may receive donations for political activities other than their candidacy, or for their own campaign (rather than for their partys fighting fund)
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before the regulated period. They must report these donations in their capacity as a regulated donee to the Electoral Commission if the donations are over 1,500. The Electoral Commission publishes reported donations from regulated donees on the second Thursday of every month. These donations can be viewed on the Electoral Commissions website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/database-of-registers 6.10 What donations do political parties need to report? Political parties must report donations and loans over 7,500 if accepted by their Central Office and amounts over 1,500 if accepted by a local accounting unit. Political parties have to submit their quarterly donation and borrowing returns to the Electoral Commission one month after the end of a quarter. The Electoral Commission will publish the July September quarterly donations and loans information at the end of November 2012 and October December 2012 quarterly donations and loans information in February 2013. 6.11 Who do candidates report their regulated spending to and when? Police and Crime Commissioner candidates must submit their campaign spending returns to their Police Area Returning Officer within 70 days of the result. As well as their campaign spending, candidates must report donations of money, items or services worth more than 50 that funded their campaign spending. If no spending is incurred, a nil return must be submitted by the agent. 6.12 What happens if a candidate exceeds their spending limit? The Electoral Commission has a statutory duty to monitor compliance with parts of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) 1983 relating to candidates and agents expenses. However, the Electoral Commission is not legally empowered to investigate and impose sanctions for offences under the RPA. Allegations relating to the RPA should generally be made to the police. For more information on the Electoral Commissions procedure for handling allegations, visit http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/149609/How-wedeal-with-allegations-factsheet-web.pdf

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7 Electoral fraud
The Representation of the People Act 1983 specifies a number of criminal offences relating to electoral fraud. The relevant police force for the area in which elections were taking place would investigate any allegations that an offence may have taken place. Every police force has designated a Single Point of Contact (known as a SPOC) to lead on election-related crime and who will give advice to local police officers. Anyone making an allegation should be prepared to give the police a statement and substantiate their concerns. Anyone, including candidates, politicians and members of the public, who has evidence of electoral fraud taking place should go straight to the police. 7.1 What are the different types of electoral offences? Personation This is where an individual votes as someone else (whether that person is living or dead or is a fictitious person), either by post or in person at a polling station, as an elector or as a proxy. Undue influence / Intimidation A person is guilty of undue influence if they directly or indirectly make use of or threaten to make use of force, violence or restraint, or inflict or threaten to inflict injury, damage, loss or harm, in order to induce or compel any voter to vote or refrain from voting. Bribery A person is guilty of bribery if they directly or indirectly give any money or procure any office to or for any voter, in order to induce that voter to vote or not vote. Multiple voting and proxy voting offences There are various offences regarding multiple voting and proxy voting, including voting as an elector or proxy when subject to a legal incapacity to vote and voting more than once in the same election. False registration information It is an offence to supply false registration information to an Electoral Registration Officer. It is also an offence to supply false information in connection with an application for a postal or proxy vote.

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7.2 How confident can the electorate feel with regards to postal voting? Postal voting on demand is more secure following a tightening of the law in 2007 and is used by 15% of the electorate nationally. Postal voters now have to provide their signature and date of birth when applying for a vote, and also when casting their postal vote. Both records are checked. If they dont match, the ballot paper is rejected. In order for someone to cast a postal vote, they have to first be on the electoral register which must be as accurate and secure as possible. That is why the Electoral Commission had been calling for the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration since 2003 (see 7.8). 7.3 How does the Electoral Commission work with political parties to prevent postal vote fraud? The Electoral Commission has an agreed code of conduct with political parties for the handling of postal vote applications and postal ballot packs by political parties, candidates and canvassers. The code says candidates and campaigners: should not touch or handle anyone elses ballot paper should not solicit the collection of any ballot paper should ensure that the voter has sealed their ballot first before posting it or taking it to a polling station or the office of the Returning Officer, without interfering in any way with the package

7.4 What happens if a political party breaches your code of conduct? The Electoral Commission asks political parties to investigate any reported breaches and take action to ensure that any problems are not repeated. This includes potentially taking disciplinary action against party members. 7.5 Who is responsible for putting in place plans to deal with electoral fraud? The primary responsibility for ensuring that robust plans to prevent and detect electoral fraud are in place lies with Police Area Returning Officers. They must work closely with their local police force. 7.6 What is the Electoral Commission doing to prevent fraud in these elections? The Electoral Commission is scrutinising the annual canvass and electoral integrity plans from all Electoral Registration Officers in England (excluding London) and Wales. We shall be focusing on their:
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plans for dealing with registration and absent voting applications (for example, ensuring properties where large numbers of people have applied to be on the electoral register are checked); and arrangements with the relevant police force for identifying and responding to potential electoral fraud.

The Electoral Commission will directly engage with EROs to support improvements in areas where plans are not sufficiently well-developed. The Electoral Commission is working with local Returning Officers and police forces well in advance of the November polls. We are focusing on their: procedures for monitoring the issuing and processing of returned postal votes training for polling station staff on the risk of personation

7.7 Is the Electoral Commission confident that this is enough? The Electoral Commission began working with Electoral Registration Officers, Returning Officers, their teams; and the police in June, to ensure that robust measures are in place to detect and prevent electoral fraud at the November elections. But equally importantly, candidates and political parties must ensure that their supporters dont cross the line between robust and lively campaigns and electoral fraud. 7.8 Should the Government be trying to do more to prevent electoral fraud? Yes. The Electoral Commission has been calling since 2003 for the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration (IER) to tighten up the registration process. The Commission is pleased that the Government has now legislated for this and it will be introduced in 2014. Under this new system, individuals will be asked to provide identifying information, such as a date of birth and national insurance number, when they apply to register. However, we have been calling since 2010 for the Government to review the case for voters to be required to show ID at polling stations. The Government has not yet taken up this recommendation, so the Electoral Commission is conducting its own review and will present its findings to Parliament.

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SECTION B The voter

8 Who can vote?
8.1 Who can vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections? A person can vote if they are registered in England (excluding London) and Wales; and are: aged 18 or over on polling day a British citizen an Irish, EU or qualifying Commonwealth citizen

British citizens living overseas cannot vote in these elections. A full list of EU and Commonwealth countries can be found in Appendix A on page 29. 8.2 What is the deadline to register to vote? Voters in England (excluding London) and Wales must register by Wednesday 31 October 2012 in order to be able to vote on Thursday 15 November 2012. 8.3 What is the deadline for applying for postal and proxy voting? The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm, Wednesday 31 October 2012. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote, except in a medical emergency, is 5pm, Wednesday 7 November 2012. The deadline for applying for a proxy vote as a result of a medical emergency is 5pm, Thursday 15 November 2012. 8.4 How can someone register to vote? Anyone wishing to register to vote should contact their local electoral registration office, or go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and print off a registration form. 8.5 Can someone register at two different addresses? Yes. A person can register to vote at more than one address, as long as they are resident at each address. However, they can only vote once in any police force area. 8.6 How do members of the armed services register and vote? Service personnel and their spouses or civil partners, serving in the UK or overseas, can register either at their home address or their barracks in the usual way, or as a
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service voter. Service voters fill out an armed services declaration so they can be registered when away from their home address on duty. 8.7 Can prisoners vote? Remand prisoners (those who have not been convicted and sentenced) can vote. Convicted prisoners detained because of their sentence cannot. The Electoral Commissions aim is to make sure everyone who is eligible and wants to vote is able to do so. The registration deadline is Wednesday 31 October 2012. Anyone who is not registered should visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk to print off a registration form.

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9 The voting process

9.1When will polling stations be open? All polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm. 9.2 What happens if someone is in a queue to enter a polling station at 10pm At present, that person would not be entitled to vote. The Electoral Commission has been calling on the Government to change the law since 2010 so that all electors in a queue at 10pm would be issued a ballot paper and be able to vote. The Scottish Government changed their legislation to implement our recommendation but the UK Government has not yet accepted the need for this change. 9.3 What different ways are there for someone to vote in these elections? People can choose to vote in one of three ways in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 15 November: in person, by post or by proxy. 9.4 In person Registered voters can visit their local polling station between 7am and 10pm on 15 November to cast their votes. Voters should arrive in plenty of time to avoid missing out on having their say. Even if voters join a queue before 10pm, they will not be able to vote unless they have been issued with a ballot paper before polls close. before polling day, voters will be sent a poll card which includes details of where their polling station is voters can only vote at the polling station on this card polling station staff will be on hand to explain the ballot paper and how to vote voters do not need to take their poll card with them to the polling station but doing so will speed up the process

9.5 By post If voters do not wish to - or are unable to - go to a polling station, they may apply for a postal vote. Voters may apply for a postal vote for a specific election, a specific period of time, or for all elections. To vote by post you need to register as a postal voter before 5pm, Wednesday 31 October. postal ballot papers will be sent directly to voters about a week before polling day
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voters should complete their ballot papers and send them back straight away, so they arrive before 10pm on 15 November votes arriving after 10pm on 15 November will not be counted if voters dont leave enough time to post their vote, they may take it by hand to a polling station in their local authority area from 7am to 10pm on polling day voters must also remember to complete the postal voting statement with their signature and date of birth

9.6 By proxy Voters can register for a proxy vote. This means they ask someone they trust to vote on their behalf for the candidate they wish to vote for. All you need to do is complete and sign a form and return it to your local electoral registration office before 5pm, 7 November 2012. 9.7 What voting system is used in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections? Police and Crime Commissioners are elected by the Supplementary Vote. This is the same voting system that is used in mayoral elections. If a candidate receives more than half of all first choice votes, they are elected immediately. If this does not happen, the two candidates with the most first choice votes go through to a second round. All other candidates are eliminated, but their second choice votes for either of the top two candidates are added to the totals for those two candidates from the first round. The candidate with the highest combined total of first and second choice votes will be elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for their police force area. 9.8 How do voters complete their ballot paper? Voters can cast a first and second choice from a list of candidates who will either be part of a political party or standing as an independent candidate. Voters vote for their first choice candidate by marking a cross (X) in the first choice column. Voters vote for their second choice candidate by marking a cross (X) in the second choice column. If voters only mark a first choice, their vote will still be counted they can choose not to mark a second choice candidate. However, if voters only mark a second choice candidate, their vote will not be counted. If voters give the same candidate their first and second choice, only their first choice will be counted.
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9.9 When will the count start? Some counts will begin on Thursday 15 November; others will begin on Friday 16 November. Each PARO is responsible for deciding whether the count should begin overnight or start the following day. The Electoral Commission recommends that PAROs should decide and announce when the count will begin before the campaign period gets underway. 9.10 Who can attend the count? The following people are entitled by law to attend the verification and the count: the PARO and their staff the local Returning Officer and their staff candidates one guest per candidate election agents counting agents Electoral Commission representatives accredited observers

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10 Public engagement with these elections

10.1 What is the Electoral Commissions view on turnout at these elections? The Electoral Commissions report on Mays local elections showed a downward trend in turnout which we believe is a wake-up call ahead of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. The Electoral Commission will be doing all it can to make voters aware of the elections and how to participate, but in our view it is the candidates and the political parties themselves that need to motivate people to vote. With no free mailing and large constituencies, candidates will need to work hard to communicate their policies to voters. 10.2 How will the Electoral Commission raise awareness of these elections? The Electoral Commission will run a campaign to raise public awareness of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. The Commissions campaign will provide information on: what the Police and Crime Commissioner elections are for and what powers the PCCs will have as outlined in the legislation the deadline to register to vote how voters can cast their vote under the Supplementary Vote system when the elections are taking place

10.3 What activity will take place locally to raise awareness of the elections? PAROs and LROs will be undertaking public awareness activity locally and the Electoral Commission has issued guidance to help them do this. 10.4 What activities will be part of the Electoral Commissions campaign? Electoral Commission activities will include: a booklet sent to all households in the 41 areas in England (excluding London) and Wales where the elections are taking place a national multi-media advertising campaign to raise awareness of the elections. It will alert people to the booklet that they will receive using its www.aboutmyvote.co.uk web address and information booklet to direct voters to the candidate information website a fully bilingual campaign in Wales

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10.5 When will the Electoral Commissions campaign begin? The Electoral Commissions national public awareness campaign will launch on Monday 22 October and run until polling day, Thursday 15 November. The timing of our campaign has been chosen very carefully to ensure that voters receive our information booklet before the first postal votes arrive. 10.6 What kind of campaign are the Home Office running? The Home Office plan to run a public awareness campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the role of Police and Crime Commissioners.

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11 Challenging the result

11.1 How does someone challenge the result following the election? Someone can challenge the result of an election by issuing an election petition. This is a legal action and will be adjudicated by a judge in court. Petitioners must present the petition within 21 days of the declaration of the result. Where the petition relates to election expenses or corrupt of illegal practices involving the payment of money after the election, further time may be allowed. For more information on how a candidate could challenge the result of an election, see our Guidance for candidates and agents, Part 6, pages 4 5, here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/148748/PC C-Part-6-After-the-declaration-of-results.pdf

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Appendix A
Police Force areas being contested in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 15 November:

Avon and Somerset Bedfordshire Cheshire Derbyshire Durham Gloucestershire Hampshire Kent Lincolnshire North Wales Northumbria South Yorkshire Surrey Warwickshire West Yorkshire Cleveland

Cambridgeshire Cumbria

Devon and Cornwall Dorset Dyfed-Powys Greater Manchester Hertfordshire Lancashire Merseyside North Yorkshire Nottinghamshire Staffordshire Sussex West Mercia Wiltshire Essex Gwent Humberside Leicestershire Norfolk Northamptonshire South Wales Suffolk Thames Valley West Midlands

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Appendix B
EU and Commonwealth countries whose citizens can register to vote
Below is a list of EU countries whose citizens are entitled to register to vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections if they are 16 and over. They will not be entitled to vote until they are 18. Austria Czech Republic Estonia Germany Italy Lithuania The Netherlands Romania Spain Belgium Cyprus Finland Greece Ireland Luxembourg Poland Slovakia Sweden Bulgaria Denmark France Hungary Latvia Malta Portugal Slovenia United Kingdom

Below is a list of Commonwealth countries whose citizens are entitled to register to vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections if they are 16 and over. They will not be entitled to vote until they are 18.

Antigua and Barbuda Australia The Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belize Botswana Brunei Darussalam Cameroon Canada Cyprus Dominica Fiji Islands The Gambia Ghana Grenada Guyana

India Jamaica Kenya Kiribati Lesotho Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Nauru New Zealand Nigeria Pakistan Papua New Guinea
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Rwanda Samoa Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Vincent and the Grenadines Swaziland Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tuvalu Uganda

United Kingdom United Republic of Tanzania Vanuatu Zambia Zimbabwe

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The Electoral Commission 3 Bunhill Row London EC1Y 8YZ Tel 020 7271 0500 Fax 020 7271 0505 info@electoralcommission.org.uk www.electoralcommission.org.uk To contact our offices in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions, please see our website.

We are an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. We regulate party and election finance and set standards for wellrun elections. We work to support a healthy democracy, where elections and referendums are based on our principles of trust, participation, and no undue influence.

Putting voters first