Returning Officers Communications, Candidate Briefings, Warnings & Police Complaints - 2015 General Election

The request was successful.

Joel M Benjamin

Dear South Gloucestershire Council,

The following information is sought in relation to communications, briefings, warnings and complaints issued by council Returning Officer & associated staff to prospective MP candidates, political parties and police in the lead up to, and conduct of, and subsequent enquiries into, the 2015 General Election.

FOIA Questions:

1) Were all GE2015 MP candidates issued with written guidelines including election procedures and spending rules, in line with Electoral Commission guidance? (see below for details)
2) Please provide copies of GE2015 briefing sheets and written guidance provided by the Returning Officer (RO) or Acting Returning Officer (ARO) to prospective MPs.
3) What procedures and processes did the RO or ARO have in place to identify and manage issues threatening the legitimacy of the electoral process relating to MPs expenses? How were they implemented?
4) What complaints were lodged with the RO and ARO regarding electoral integrity and spending issues for GE2015?
5) What documented action did the RO or ARO take to address these complaints?
6) What formal or informal warnings were issued to candidates or political parties?
7) What complaints were referred to local police?

Background: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__...

Yours faithfully,

Joel M Benjamin

Freedom of information, South Gloucestershire Council

Dear Mr Benjamin

 

Our Reference: FIDP/007495-15

Enquiries: 01454 868009

 

Thank you for your recent request for information under the Freedom of
Information Act.  Your request is being considered in accordance with the
Act by Natalie Carr, Democratic & Member Services Manager.

 

The 20 day period for considering your request commenced today, 7^th June
2016.

 

In the event that the information you have requested is to be disclosed,
it will be sent to you no later than 5^th July 2016.  If we cannot
respond by that date then we will write to you again.

 

With kind regards

 

 

 

Lorinda Ryan

Freedom of Information Admin

South Gloucestershire Council

 

_______________________________________________________________
 
South Gloucestershire Council .  Achieving excellence for our residents
and their communities, ensuring South Gloucestershire continues to be a
great place to live and work

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Natalie Carr, South Gloucestershire Council

10 Attachments

Good afternoon

 

Please find attached a response to your FOI request.

 

Kind regards

 

Natalie Carr

Democratic and Member Services Manager

Legal, Governance and Democratic Services

South Gloucestershire Council

 

Tel: 01454 868198

 

Postal address: Electoral Registration and Returning Officer, South
Gloucestershire Council, PO Box 300, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood,
Bristol, BS15 0DS.

 

Office address: South Gloucestershire Council, Council Offices, Badminton
Road, Yate, BS37 5AF

[1]Description: cid:image002.jpg@01D1479F.CFBFCA00

 

_______________________________________________________________
 
South Gloucestershire Council .  Achieving excellence for our residents
and their communities, ensuring South Gloucestershire continues to be a
great place to live and work

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References

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