NI Assembly and Local Government Elections 5 May 2011 Political Parties Briefing Graham Shields...
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Transcript of NI Assembly and Local Government Elections 5 May 2011 Political Parties Briefing Graham Shields...
NI Assembly and Local Government Elections
5 May 2011
Political Parties Briefing
Graham Shields
Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland
Background
Nomination Process
Timetable
Absent Votes
Verification process
Polling Day arrangements
The Count
After the Result
Northern Ireland Assembly Elections, Local Government Elections and Alternative Vote
Referendum 5 May 2011
Background
First occasion for 3 simultaneous electoral processes
623 polling places
1424 polling stations
4272 ballot boxes
2800 polling screens
5000 polling staff
1100 counting staff
8 Count venues (Assembly & Referendum Counts)
2 STV counts and 1 ‘Yes/No’ count
Election Timetable – NI Assembly + Local Government
Event Deadline
Publication of notice of election Friday 25 March 2011
Registration of political parties to field candidates at the election
Friday 25 March 2011
Delivery to the DRO of nomination papers
Between 10am and 4pm on Monday 28 March to Wednesday 6 April and between 10am and 1pm on Thursday 7 April
Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature
Between 10am and 4pm on Monday 28 March to Wednesday 6 April and between 10am and 1pm on Thursday 7 April 2011
The making of objections to nomination papers
Between 10am and 4pm on Monday 28 March to Wednesday 6 April and between 10am and 2pm on Thursday 7 April 2011
Receipt by DRO of notice of appointment of election agents
1pm on Thursday 7 April 2011
Publication of statement of persons nominated
Friday 8 April 2011
Receipt by DRO of applications to be included in the Register of Electors
Thursday 14 April 2011
Receipt by DRO of notice of appointment of polling and counting agents
5pm on Tuesday 26 April 2011
Polling day – 7am to 10pm on Thursday 5 May 2011
Verification of ballot boxes commences
8am on Friday 6 May 2011
NI Assembly Count commences Friday 6 May 2011
Local Government Count commences Monday 9 May 2011
Note: the above timetable excludes Saturdays and Sundays and the following Public holidays:
Good Friday 22 April 2011 Easter Monday 25 April 2011 Bank Holiday 29 April 2011 May Day Bank Holiday 2 May 2011
NOMINATIONS
QualificationASSEMBLY
18 or over British, Irish, EU or Qualifying Commonwealth
Citizen Not disqualified
LOCAL As Assembly + on nomination day
• Registered in council area or• During 12 months before poll owned or occupied
land in council area or resident in council area or• Principal or only place of work in 12 months before
poll in council area
Nominations – NI Assembly + Local Government
TIMETABLE
Between 10pm and 4pm on
28, 29, 30, 31 March, 1, 4, 5 and 6 April
Between 10am and 1pm on
Thursday 7 April
Submission
In draft By anyone by any means
FormalIn person by
• Candidate• Election Agent• Proposer, Seconder
Make appointment with DRO
Essentials and Options
Full name
Commonly used names (optional)
Address (Home Address Form for Assembly only)
Subscribers (electors on constituency/DEA)
Consent to Nomination
Description request
Emblem request (Local only; Assembly direct to RO)
DEPOSIT (Assembly only) Amount
£150 Method
• Legal tender• Bankers draft• CHAPS
Must reach EONI account before close of nominations
Return of Deposits
Correction of Minor Errors
DRO can correct minor errors including – Details of candidate Description
Candidate and CEO to be consulted before making change
Use of Mark •Those who cannot sign can make mark
Who Can Attend
DRO and staff
Candidate
Any other candidate who has nominated an election agent for the above (if no agent a person
nominated by candidate)
Proposer for the above
Seconder for the above
One other person for each candidate
Electoral Commission representatives (no
observers)
Decision on validity of Nomination Papers
Must be given as soon as practicable
No later than 1pm on day following close of nominations
Absent Voting
Absent Voting
Single application – combined issue
Robust checks of all applications
Advise applicants to submit promptly
Opening of Postal Ballot Papers – Election Agent advised in writing by DRO
Absent Votes
Deadlines
Permanent + - 5pm Monday 11 April 2011
Temporary
Late Illness - 5pm Thursday 21 April 2011
or
Employment
Polling Cards
Will commence issue on Monday 28 March 2011
Appointing an Election Agent
Anyone can be appointed as your Agent
A responsible person to manage your Election Campaign
Responsible for the financial management of your campaign. Must ensure declarations and return of elections expenses are properly completed and delivered on time.
Election Agent
Name and address of Agent must be notified in writing to DRO before the close of nominations.
If you do not appoint an Agent then the Candidate is deemed to be their own agent
Counting Agents
Deadline increased to 5 days
No statutory maximum number but may be limited by RO
Polling Agents
Deadline increased to 5 days
Polling Day7am – 10pm
Encourage voters to vote early in the day
Notice of votes issued
Polling agents
Campaigning
3 separate ballot boxes, all colour coded
Ballot papersNI Assembly – white
Local Government – buff
Referendum – grey
Acceptable Identity Documents
Now consistent at all elections
Consists of – Electoral Identity Card
Senior SmartPass
60+ SmartPass
Blind Person’s SmartPass
War Disabled SmartPass
EU passport
Photographic driving licence from EU
Verification
Verification Process
STAGE 1Overnight verification staff will begin to record:
Number of unused ballot papers
Unused tendered ballot papers
Spoilt ballot papers
Recommence verification process at 8am on Friday 6 May
Verification Process
STAGE 2Verification staff will:
open boxes concurrently
record papers found in wrong box
verify 3 ballot paper accounts for each polling station
complete verification statement for each poll
Count Arrangements
8 Count Locations: (AV referendum/NI Assembly elections)
– Kings Hall, Belfast (Belfast West, Belfast South)
– Newtownards Leisure Centre (Strangford, Belfast East, North Down)
– Ballymena Leisure Centre (North Antrim, Mid Ulster)
– Omagh Leisure Centre (West Tyrone, Fermanagh & South Tyrone)
– Banbridge Leisure Centre (Upper Bann, Newry & Armagh)
– Lisburn Leisure Centre (South Down, Lagan Valley)
– Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey (Belfast North, Strangford, North Down)
– Lisneal College, Londonderry (Foyle, East Londonderry)
NI Assembly Count – commences immediately upon completion of verification
AV Referendum Count – 1600hrs Friday 6 May 2011
Local Government count – commences 0900hrs Monday 9 May 2011 at Council premises
Count Centre Evacuation
Everyone to strictly follow instructions
All Counting Hall doors will be chained/padlocked and sealed with tamper-proof seals
Temporary accommodation
Candidates and/or their representatives invited to see doors being sealed and later re-opened
ANY QUESTIONS?