NI Assembly and Local Government Elections 5 May 2011 Political Parties Briefing

1. NI Assembly and Local Government Elections 5 May 2011 Political Parties Briefing Graham Shields Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland

2. Background • Nomination Process • Timetable • Absent Votes • Verification process • Polling Day arrangements • The Count • After the Result

3. Northern Ireland Assembly Elections, Local Government Elections and Alternative Vote Referendum 5 May 2011 Background • First occasion for 3 simultaneous electoral processes • 623 polling places • 1424 polling stations • 4272 ballot boxes • 2800 polling screens • 5000 polling staff • 1100 counting staff • 8 Count venues (Assembly & Referendum Counts) • 2 STV counts and 1 ‘Yes/No’ count

4. Election Timetable – NI Assembly + Local Government

5. Note: the above timetable excludes Saturdays and Sundays and the following Public holidays: • Good Friday 22 April 2011 • Easter Monday 25 April 2011 • Bank Holiday 29 April 2011 • May Day Bank Holiday 2 May 2011

6. NOMINATIONS

7. Qualification ASSEMBLY • 18 or over • British, Irish, EU or Qualifying Commonwealth Citizen • Not disqualified LOCAL As Assembly + on nomination day • Registered in council area or • During 12 months before poll owned or occupied land in council area or resident in council area or • Principal or only place of work in 12 months before poll in council area

8. Nominations – NI Assembly + Local Government TIMETABLE Between 10pm and 4pm on 28, 29, 30, 31 March, 1, 4, 5 and 6 April Between 10am and 1pm on Thursday 7 April

9. Submission In draft • By anyone by any means Formal In person by • Candidate • Election Agent • Proposer, Seconder Make appointment with DRO

10. Essentials and Options • Full name • Commonly used names (optional) • Address (Home Address Form for Assembly only) • Subscribers (electors on constituency/DEA) • Consent to Nomination • Description request • Emblem request (Local only; Assembly direct to RO)

11. DEPOSIT (Assembly only) • Amount • £150 • Method • Legal tender • Bankers draft • CHAPS • Must reach EONI account before close of nominations • Return of Deposits

12. Correction of Minor Errors DRO can correct minor errors including – • Details of candidate • Description Candidate and CEO to be consulted before making change Use of Mark • Those who cannot sign can make mark

13. Who Can Attend • DRO and staff • Candidate • Any other candidate who has nominated an election agent for the above (if no agent a person nominated by candidate) • Proposer for the above • Seconder for the above • One other person for each candidate • Electoral Commission representatives (no observers)

14. Decision on validity of Nomination Papers • Must be given as soon as practicable • No later than 1pm on day following close of nominations

15. Absent Voting

16. Absent Voting • Single application – combined issue • Robust checks of all applications • Advise applicants to submit promptly • Opening of Postal Ballot Papers – Election Agent advised in writing by DRO

17. Absent Votes Deadlines Permanent + - 5pm Monday 11 April 2011 Temporary Late Illness - 5pm Thursday 21 April 2011 or Employment

18. Polling Cards • Will commence issue on Monday 28 March 2011

19. Appointing an Election Agent • Anyone can be appointed as your Agent • A responsible person to manage your Election Campaign • Responsible for the financial management of your campaign. Must ensure declarations and return of elections expenses are properly completed and delivered on time.

20. Election Agent • Name and address of Agent must be notified in writing to DRO before the close of nominations. • If you do not appoint an Agent then the Candidate is deemed to be their own agent

21. Counting Agents • Deadline increased to 5 days • No statutory maximum number but may be limited by RO Polling Agents • Deadline increased to 5 days

22. Polling Day • 7am – 10pm • Encourage voters to vote early in the day • Notice of votes issued • Polling agents • Campaigning • 3 separate ballot boxes, all colour coded • Ballot papers • NI Assembly – white • Local Government – buff • Referendum – grey

23. Acceptable Identity Documents • Now consistent at all elections • Consists of – • Electoral Identity Card • Senior SmartPass • 60+ SmartPass • Blind Person’s SmartPass • War Disabled SmartPass • EU passport • Photographic driving licence from EU

24. Verification

25. Verification Process STAGE 1 Overnight verification staff will begin to record: • Number of unused ballot papers • Unused tendered ballot papers • Spoilt ballot papers Recommence verification process at 8am on Friday 6 May

26. Verification Process STAGE 2 Verification staff will: • open boxes concurrently • record papers found in wrong box • verify 3 ballot paper accounts for each polling station • complete verification statement for each poll

27. Count Arrangements • 8 Count Locations: (AV referendum/NI Assembly elections) • Kings Hall, Belfast (Belfast West, Belfast South) • Newtownards Leisure Centre (Strangford, Belfast East, North Down) • Ballymena Leisure Centre (North Antrim, Mid Ulster) • Omagh Leisure Centre (West Tyrone, Fermanagh & South Tyrone) • Banbridge Leisure Centre (Upper Bann, Newry & Armagh) • Lisburn Leisure Centre (South Down, Lagan Valley) • Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey (Belfast North, Strangford, North Down) • Lisneal College, Londonderry (Foyle, East Londonderry)

28. NI Assembly Count – commences immediately upon completion of verification • AV Referendum Count – 1600hrs Friday 6 May 2011 • Local Government count – commences 0900hrs Monday 9 May 2011 at Council premises

29. Count Centre Evacuation • Everyone to strictly follow instructions • All Counting Hall doors will be chained/padlocked and sealed with tamper-proof seals • Temporary accommodation • Candidates and/or their representatives invited to see doors being sealed and later re-opened

30. ANY QUESTIONS?