Electoral Commission
Last night, along with Mick Bates, I attended a dinner with Electoral Commissioners at the Ivy Bush Hotel in Carmarthen. Also present were a number of returning officers.
It was a very useful opportunity to discuss the work of the Electoral Commission, a body which, I think, has succeeded in establishing a reputation for impartiality. Indeed, people who have been in political life are debarred from acting as commissioners
Our own Commissioner, Glyn Mathias, was there, as was Sam Younger, the Chairman of the Commission.
It was interesting to hear of the prospect of Northern Ireland Assembly elections early in March and, dependent on Sinn Fein’s statement on the Police this weekend and whether Dr No can become Dr Yes on behalf of the DUP, elections do seem a strong possibility.
Inevitably there was much discussion about our own count. Mick and I, on behalf, I believe, of all four political parties, were putting the case strongly for a Thursday night count. This is in fact not a matter for the Electoral Commission but with so many returning officers there we were not going to throw away the opportunity to put the case.
To be fair to the returning officers there clearly is an issue with regard to the prospect of the very late delivery of lots of postal votes. Comparisons with Scotland fall down as this won’t be happening there, and also there is electronic counting in Scotland. That said, I think it would make Wales as a nation look like an ‘also ran’ if we have our count and declaration on the Friday. These are, after all, very important elections and it is inconceivable that a general election count at Westminster would be delayed.
The most important thing is clearly getting the result of the count right and nobody wants the fate of Wales to be determined by hanging chads in Caerphilly and a stand off position while the matter goes through the courts like it did in the US when George Bush was up against Al Gore.
A decision is awaited on when the count will take place. Let’s hope we have clear cut decision soon.
