After the Electoral Commission published its report on the 2024 general election, efforts to examine and improve electoral processes for future elections have been launched. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee has recently published written evidence from Professor Justin Fisher, Dr Manu Savani, and Dr Fotios Spyridonis as part of its inquiry into the 2024 general election.
The submission by Brunel scientists highlights key challenges faced by overseas voters and calls for a renewed focus on modernising the voting process, including the potential reintroduction of remote online voting (i-voting).
With the removal of the 15-year rule for overseas voter registration, the number of UK citizens abroad eligible to vote has increased significantly and is likely to grow further. However,despite this expansion, the current system of postal voting remains fraught with logistical difficulties. Overseas voters often experience delays in receiving and returning ballots, while electoral administrators also face challenges in managing these votes efficiently.
A summary:
- One potential solution to the problem of postal voting for overseas voters is the use of telephone-based assisted voting, as Electoral Commission suggests.
- An alternative option is introduction of remote online voting (known as i-voting) as a means by which overseas voters may cast their ballot.
- Based on positively received pilot i-voting programmes and research by Prof Fisher, Dr Savani, and Dr Spyridonis, researchers recommend resuming trials of remote online voting to provide a secure and convenient option for overseas voters while reflecting the digitisation of citizens’ lives.
The full written evidence can be accessed here.
The evidence was submitted as a response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the 2024 election
Review of the 2024 general election - Committees - UK Parliament