Andrew Dismore

London Assembly Member writes to Chief Executive  

 

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore AM has written to the  Acting Chief Executive of Barnet, John Hooton, to ask if the Council is able to cope  after  the  change to the electoral registration deadline for the European Referendum. The Prime Minister made the announcement after the national  registration website crashed due to a surge in registrations.

Mr Dismore said:

‘After the fiasco in Barnet on May 5^th, when an incomplete copy of the electoral register was sent to all 155 polling stations, residents are understandably weary about the ability of the Council to administer elections properly. I have written to the Chief Executive to ask if the Council can cope with these changes and to make sure all those who register receive their polling cards and are able to vote.’

‘This is one of the most important votes of all our lifetimes.  It is vital everyone gets a say in this referendum, so we must ensure the system is robust enough to cope with changes. I am surprised that the Government’s registration website did not cope with a surge of registrations, a similar thing happened last year during the general election.

‘I have also asked for assurances about postal  votes, which were also messed up in the London elections , and as seems  to happen every time in Barnet’.

 

ENDS

Notes:

1)      Text of letter from Andrew Dismore AM to John Hooton, Acting Chief Executive of Barnet Council is as follows:

Dear Mr Hooton,

I see that the Prime Minister has extended the deadline for electoral registration for the EU referendum on June 23rd, due to the website crashing. Can you give me an assurance that everyone who registers to vote in Barnet by the new deadline will be properly registered, able to vote and will receive a poll card?

Have you tested the system to ensure that it is capable of coping with the change of registration deadline, and can you assure me that all postal votes have been dispatched on time as well?

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Dismore AM

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden