The Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Mims Davies, has welcomed that MP’s will today debate legislation to support victims of abuse to vote anonymously.
Commenting, Mims said:
“Being on the electoral register is second nature to many of us, and is regularly used as a helpful method of identification.”
“While last June’s election seemingly allowed some people to vote twice, it is vital that our electoral system allows all of those wishing and with the right to vote to take part in our democracy. Currently, that simply isn’t the case.”
“During local constituency surgeries, I have met with and supported constituents who have been so brave in sharing with me their experiences of domestic abuse, the distress that they were subjected to, and the fear of being tracked down by abusive ex-partners or family members.”
“This is an issue that I care deeply about, and have been delighted to visit local places of refuge and support the excellent people that work alongside these places of safety and the people that they help.”
“I agree with Ministers that these people should no longer be expected to have their details on a database that can be accessed by the public, such as the electoral register, or go through an unnecessarily long process to vote anonymously.”
The current process of seeking anonymity in order to vote – which involves providing details of a court order or injunction showing they are under protection or a witness statement from either a senior police officer, the director general of MI5, a director of adult social services in England or their equivalent elsewhere in the UK – is for many too larger task.
The new legislation being brought forward by the Government will look to simplify the process by broadening those able to act as a witness to any registered doctor, any registered nurse or midwife, and any refuge manager.
Commenting further, Mims said:
“I welcome that proposed legislation due to be debated by MP’s later today will make it easier for victims of domestic abuse to vote anonymously. Ensuring that domestic abuse victims continue to feel included within society society is really important, and making their interaction with our democracy easier will be an integral part of that work.”