OSCE/ODIHR final report on United Kingdom’s general election recommends addressing equality of vote and reviewing campaign finance provisions

Addressing the deviation in the size of constituencies to ensure equality of the vote and accelerating the disclosure of campaign finance reports are among the main recommendations contained in a final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 7 May 2015 general election in the United Kingdom.

The report, published on 22 July 2015, notes that, overall, the legal framework provides a sound basis for the conduct of genuine elections. The report highlights that a number of amendments were introduced ahead of the election, some addressing previous OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. These included allowing voters in line at the close of polling to vote, extending and harmonizing timetables for different elections, and introducing additional safeguards for postal voting. The report recommends that consideration be given to removing the numbering on ballots linked to individual voters, which challenges the principle of secrecy of the vote. The report also notes that there is a significant variation across United Kingdom in the number of registered voters per constituency, which is at odds with national legislation and international standards and good practices to ensure equality of the vote.

The report notes that the voter registration process underwent a significant change for this election, and the transition from household (collective) electoral registration to individual registration is ongoing. While voters could register online, the report recommends considering configuring the online registration system to enable voters to verify their status, including their eligibility to participate in different elections.

The report further notes that the party and campaign finance regulatory framework is adequate to ensure transparency and accountability and enjoys public trust. However, it recommends considering accelerating the disclosure of campaign finance reports more closely following the election and limiting the amount a single donor may contribute to a candidate or political party in a year. Campaign finance rules pertaining to third parties, such as civil society organizations and charities, could also benefit from review, in order to ensure transparency, integrity and accountability without unduly limiting their activities.

On 22 April, ODIHR deployed an election expert team (EET) to observe the general election. The OSCE/ODIHR EET focused on specific aspects of the election related to the implementation of legislation and application of election procedures, voter registration and campaign finance.