Electoral Administration Bill

The hon. Gentleman said that I gave factually wrong information on the effect of the Electoral Commission’s proposal and of his amendment No. 8, which seeks to give effect to that proposal. He says that, in his view, the commission’s proposal is that those who do not provide their signature and date of birth on the annual canvass or subsequent registration should be debarred from a postal vote application. That is not its proposal and neither is it the effect of his amendment. In fact, his amendment would give effect to the commission’s actual proposal, which it set out in writing. I went into this issue, via officials, with the commission because I wanted to establish whether there would be a security gain. The commission says the following of its third way scheme, which the hon. Gentleman is proposing:"““However, it would be mandatory for those wishing to vote by post or proxy to provide their signature and date of birth when they register—whether on the annual canvass form””—" we all agree on that—"““individual rolling registration form””—" we all agree on that—"““or application to vote by post or proxy.””"