20 May 2010

On election day hundreds of people were left queuing outside polling stations across England. The Electoral Commission has today published a report following an investigation into the problems and the way they were handled.

Liberty Legal Director James Welch said:

"This clear and prompt report highlights the disgraceful planning and resourcing for the General Election in a number of constituencies. We welcome the suggestion that the law should be clarified to make clear that people queuing at 10pm can still vote, but consider that this could have been achieved by applying human rights principles and common sense."

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Notes to Editors

1. The Electoral Commission report is available to read online - download PDF.

2. Were you turned away from the polling station? Liberty is investigating the chaos on election day, please help us by sharing your experience using this form (word doc) 

3. Article 3 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights, which is now part of our law by virtue of the Human Rights Act, requires that elections take place “under conditions which will ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature.” Under section 6 of the Human Rights Act public bodies, including returning officers, are required to act in a way that is compatible with people’s rights under the Act. Section 3 also requires that statutes and rules be interpreted and given effect in a way that respects these rights.