A report, published by independent elections watchdog the Electoral Commission today, found that more than half (55 per cent) of respondents found it difficult to access information about the candidates standing in the election. More than a quarter (28 per cent) of people said they knew 'nothing at all' and 48 per cent knew 'not very much' about what the PCC elections were about.
The commission said the Home Office must improve methods of dissemination of information ahead of the next PCC election in 2016.
Jenny Watson, chairwoman of the Commission, said last November’s turnout, the lowest recorded level of participation at a peacetime non-local government election in the UK, was caused by a number of factors.
“Like any election there’s a limit to how much these can be addressed by decisions government can make. But one of them was not knowing about the candidates and something can be done about that," she said.
“It’s not enough to think that simply holding an election will inspire participation. That's why at the 2016 PCC elections a candidate information booklet must be sent to every household.”
The report also found key pieces of legislation necessary for the election to happen were finalised very close to polling day. This meant some Returning Officers printed both bi-lingual and English-only ballot papers in case the Order specifying a bi-lingual ballot paper was not passed in time. The order came into force on October 31 – just 14 days before election day. The cost to the taxpayer for these contingency measures was almost £135,000.
Watson added: “The rules for these elections were confirmed unacceptably late causing confusion for candidates and electoral administrators.
“The Home Office doesn’t have experience in preparing for elections and they need to be better supported in future by the parts of Government that do.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “More than five million people turned out to vote for the first ever election of PCCs, giving them an infinitely bigger mandate than the unelected and invisible police authorities they replaced.
“As the Electoral Commission notes, turnout at the next PCC elections is likely to be higher. They will take place alongside other leading polls, and people will be more aware of the impact PCCs are making to deliver on public priorities in tackling crime.”