PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Electoral Commission: Parliamentary Scrutiny (8 June 2021)

To ask the hon. Member for City of Chester, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission has made of the adequacy of parliamentary scrutiny of the Electoral Commission.

Asked by:
Dr Kieran Mullan (Conservative)

The Electoral Commission is directly accountable to the UK's parliaments, and scrutiny of its work is an essential part of giving assurance to parliamentarians and to the public about how it undertakes its duties.

It reports to the UK Parliament through the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, which has a statatory duty to review the Commission's financial estimates and plans, and oversees the appointments of Electoral Commissioners. Parliamentary select committees, most notably the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, also pay an important role in scrutinising the work of the Commission.

The Commission is also accountable to the Scottish Parliament through the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, and the Sennedd through the Llywydd's Committee.

Answered by:
Christian Matheson (Independent)
10 June 2021