Info
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level d . Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments:
Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Art. 5: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/section/5
Verified: 2025/06/12
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: Article 13(6): The total expenditure incurred in any financial year by the Commission in performing their functions under subsection (1) (whether by making grants or otherwise) shall not exceed such sum as is for the time being specified for the purposes of this subsection by an order made by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury.
13(8) Subsection (6) shall not apply to the expenditure incurred by the Commission in performing their functions exercisable [in relation to local government elections in Scotland];
13(12) Subsection (6) shall not apply to the expenditure incurred by the Commission to the extent that it is, or is to be, met under [paragraph 16A of Schedule 1 to this Act or] paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 to the Government of Wales Act 2006.]
Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Art. 13(6): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/section/13
Verified: 2025/06/12
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: Article 13(6): The total expenditure incurred in any financial year by the Commission in performing their functions under subsection (1) (whether by making grants or otherwise) shall not exceed such sum as is for the time being specified for the purposes of this subsection by an order made by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury.
Article 12(9): The Secretary of State may by order made with the consent of the Treasury vary the sum for the time being specified in subsection.
Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Art. 12, 13: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/section/13
Verified: 2025/06/12
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: Article 3(3): Such an Address shall specify the period (not exceeding 10 years) for which each proposed Electoral Commissioner to whom the Address relates is to hold office as such Commissioner or (as the case may be) the period for which the proposed chairman of the Commission is to hold office as such chairman.
Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Art. 3: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/section/3
Verified: 2025/06/12
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments: The Electoral Commission is an independent electoral management body. The commissioners are selected by parliament and approved by the acting Monarch as pursuant with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000). In Schedule 1 Article 1 of the previous act, it states "The Commission shall not be regarded—
(a)as the servant or agent of the Crown, or
(b)as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.
Source: The Electoral Commission: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/about-us/our-commissioners-and-teams/selecting-our-commissioners
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Part I & Schedule 1: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/part/I
Verified: 2025/06/12
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: Article 1(3): There shall be nine or ten Electoral Commissioners.
Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Art. 1(3): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/part/I
Verified: 2025/06/12
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments: There are various internal requirements that control the selection of commissioners. First, one commissioner must represent Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively (three total). Second, each of the largest three parties puts forth a candidate while the remaining parties put forth a fourth potential commissioner. The remaining are chosen by parliament. On the Electoral Commission's webpage, they describe the ten Commissioners as each having "different political backgrounds and experience" which "ensures broad representation and balanced views."
Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Schedule I: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/schedule/1
The Electoral Commission: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/about-us/our-commissioners-and-teams/our-commissioners
Verified: 2025/06/12
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State
Comments: Article 1(4): The Electoral Commissioners shall be appointed by [the Monarch] (in accordance with section 3)."
However, this is largely a ceremonial role with Parliament selecting candidates for the acting monarch to appoint.
Source: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Part 1 & Schedule 1: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/part/I
Verified: 2025/06/12
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