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Local Government: Elections

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 3 April 2025UIN 41457

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance on including local Electoral Returning Officers within the definition of local authorities for the Re-use of Public Sector Information.

Answered by Rushanara Ali

The Government has not issued guidance on including Returning Officers or Electoral Registration Officers within the definition of local authorities for the Re-use of Public Sector Information.

The Government has not made an assessment of the potential merits of including Returning Officers of Electoral Registration Officers on the list of public authorities subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Electoral Commission provides guidance to Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers, and recommends that they disclose requested information where possible, provided the information is either already in the public domain or does not include personal data.

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