Tag: public evidence session

MPs to question the Electoral Commission as inquiry into UK election kicks off

Westminster’s Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will hold the first public evidence session of their inquiry into the 2024 general election on 7 January.  

The inquiry, which was launched by the Committee in December 2024, will review the administration, process and conduct of the most recent national election. 

The Chair and Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission will answer questions on the Commission’s report evaluating the general election and May local elections.  

The report, published in November of this year, highlighted ‘a number of significant improvements necessary to support participation and trust in future elections’. 

The report references issues with postal voting, overseas voting, and intimidation of candidates and campaigners. The Committee are likely to explore the scale and context of these issues. 

The Committee may also consider the Commission’s earlier report on the requirement for voter ID to be show for the first time at a UK general election. The Committee is also likely to build on previous committees work and consider the overall state of the UK’s electoral law and administration. 

Witnesses:

  • John Pullinger CB – Chair, Electoral Commission  
  • Vijay Rangarajan – Chief Executive, Electoral Commission  
  • Jackie Killeen – Director of Electoral Administration and Regulation, Electoral Commission 

Holyrood committee conveners to grill First Minister

The Scottish Government’s record on climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic will be under the spotlight when the Scottish Parliament’s Committee Conveners meet later this month to quiz the First Minister. 

For the first time in Session 6, the Conveners Group will hold a public evidence session with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP.  The session will take place on 15 December. 

The session, which will last almost two hours, will also see the First Minister take questions on the Scottish Government’s budget.

Speaking ahead of the session, Deputy Presiding Officer and Chair of the Conveners Group Liam McArthur MSP said: “The Scottish Parliament’s Committees play a crucial role in our democracy by scrutinising the Scottish Government and making sure those in charge of running the country are being held to account.

“This session will allow Conveners collectively to raise cross cutting matters of real concern such as climate change and the COVID 19 pandemic with Nicola Sturgeon.  As such it is a welcome addition to the various ways in which the Parliament carries out its role.

“I expect there will be robust questioning and some spirited debate.  As the new chair of Convener’s Group I’m looking forward to it immensely.”

The meeting can be viewed LIVE on SPTV.