Certification Officer: Announcements
February 13, 2025
The Certification Officer has made several announcements regarding recent developments in the UK electoral system.
Appointment of new Chief Electoral Officer
The Certification Officer has appointed Jenny Watson as the new Chief Electoral Officer. Ms. Watson is a highly respected figure in the field of electoral administration, having previously served as Electoral Commissioner for England. She will take up her new role on April 1, 2025.
Reform of Electoral Registration
The Certification Officer has announced plans to reform the electoral registration system in the UK. The proposed reforms aim to make it easier for people to register to vote and to ensure that the electoral register is more accurate and up-to-date. The reforms include:
- Introducing online voter registration
- Reducing the minimum age for registration to 16
- Allowing people to register to vote at polling stations on election day
- Automatic registration for people who are eligible and not already registered
The Certification Officer is currently consulting on the proposed reforms. The consultation will close on March 31, 2025.
Changes to Campaign Finance Rules
The Certification Officer has announced changes to the campaign finance rules for political parties and candidates. The changes are designed to make the rules more transparent and accountable. The changes include:
- Reducing the amount of money that individuals can donate to political parties and candidates
- Requiring political parties and candidates to declare all donations over a certain threshold
- Introducing a new system of independent monitoring of campaign finance
The changes to the campaign finance rules will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
The Certification Officer’s Role
The Certification Officer is an independent statutory officer responsible for the administration of electoral law in the UK. The Certification Officer’s duties include:
- Certifying the results of parliamentary and local government elections
- Investigating and adjudicating complaints about electoral irregularities
- Making recommendations to the government on electoral law reform
The Certification Officer’s office is funded by the UK government.
Certification Officer: Announcements
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