Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that elections to both the Local Councils and to the Northern Ireland Assembly were scheduled to be held in 2011.  In addition, a national referendum would also be held regarding the introduction of changes to the method of voting at General Elections.

            The Democratic Services Manager stressed the importance of these events being co-ordinated as much as possible.  The current position was that the elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly would be held on the first Thursday in May, that is, 5th May, 2011.  The Northern Ireland Office had indicated that the setting of the date for the Local Council Elections would be included in a General Amendment Order which would be led before Parliament in the Autumn.  It was anticipated that that date would also be set for 5th May, 2011.  The date of the national referendum would appear in the Bill to be introduced to Parliament and, again, it was anticipated that the referendum would also be held on the same date.  That would mean that Thursday, 5th May, 2011 would see elections to both the Local Councils and the Northern Ireland Assembly, together with the holding of the national referendum.

            He pointed out that, until the dates of the election and referendum had been confirmed, it was difficult to predict what might happen at the close of poll.  However, assuming that all three events were held on 5th May, then it was anticipated that all papers from the two elections and the referendum would be held in a secure location overnight.  On the morning of 6th May all ballot boxes would be opened for the verification process to take place.  When that had been completed the ballot boxes for the two elections and the referendum would be separated and, potentially, taken to different count venues.

            The timing of the referendum count would have to be the same throughout the United Kingdom and was still being considered by the Chief Counting Officer.  Any decision reached might impact on the timing of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Local Council counts.  Setting the referendum count aside, it was anticipated that the Assembly count would commence on the afternoon of Friday, 6th May and be completed by the evening of Saturday, 7th May.  The Local Council counts would commence on the morning of Monday, 9th May, and in Belfast, conclude on Tuesday, 10th May.  As indicated earlier, the decision of the Chief Counting Officer with regard to the timetable for the counting of the referendum might impact upon the other timings.

            The Democratic Services Officer pointed out that a General Amendment Order was expected to be laid before Parliament in November to establish the date of the Local Council Elections.  It was anticipated that the Order would also make some changes to the law governing Local Elections.  At the moment, the extent of those changes was unknown.  A further report would be presented to the Committee once details had become available.  In addition, the Northern Ireland Assembly had recently considered a Private Members Bill proposing that once a Member was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, they would not be permitted to continue to serve as a Councillor.  Clearly if that legislation were to be passed it would impact upon the membership of the new Council.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that discussions commence immediately to ensure that the Count for the Local Government Elections were held in the City Hall.