Overview

This bill proposes to abolish the UK's Electoral Commission, the independent body responsible for overseeing elections and regulating political parties. The bill mandates the government to propose a plan for how the Commission's functions will be handled after its dissolution.

Description

The Electoral Commission (Abolition) Bill aims to repeal Part 1 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, effectively abolishing the Electoral Commission. The Secretary of State will be granted the power to create regulations to manage the transition, including modifying existing laws. These regulations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament. Crucially, the Secretary of State is required to present a plan to Parliament within six months of the bill's passage outlining how the Commission's duties will be fulfilled in the future. The bill will fully come into effect one year after it is passed.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is uncertain. Abolishing the Electoral Commission will likely result in savings relating to its running costs, but the cost of transferring its functions to other bodies or creating new structures remains unknown. No specific figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Electoral Commission Staff: Potential job losses and uncertainty regarding future employment.
• Political Parties: Changes in regulatory oversight and potential impacts on party funding and campaigning.
• Voters: Potential changes to the processes and transparency of elections and referendums, depending on the government's proposal for alternative arrangements.
• Civil Society Organisations: Potential changes to the monitoring and regulation of electoral processes.

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