Election Planning “Above Average”

5th February 2010

We’re above average when it comes to behind-the-scenes planning for a General Election, according to a Performance Standard for Returning Officer 2009 inspection.

Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council, Erika Wenzel, who is the Returning Officer, was scrutinised by the Electoral Commission to make sure the authority is more than ready for the forthcoming General Election which must take place by June.

As part of the survey, the skills and knowledge of the Returning Officer are tested, as well as the processes in place to train staff to ensure the integrity of the vote remains in tact.

The survey also looks at the measures taken to ensure the public are aware of how they can vote, by providing comprehensive and accessible information, and how candidates and agents are informed about procedures that need to be followed. 

In all areas, Cheshire East Council met the standards required to host a successful General Election, but in one area the authority was rated “above average” when it came to the planning processes in place for an election.

Erika Wenzel, Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council, said: “The survey was thorough and rigorously tested our knowledge and that of the wider team within the council, and the planning processes in place to ensure that the needs of staff, candidates and voters are met on the day.

“At no point is there the opportunity to explain away gaps in knowledge or provide reasons for missing out a procedure, so we – and the Electoral Commission - are satisfied that Cheshire East Council is fully prepared for this huge occasion.”

Brian Silvester, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said the forthcoming election provided the perfect platform to showcase how organised and prepared the authority is for such a major occasion.

He said: “We will be pulling out all of the stops to ensure that staff, candidates and voters are met with an honest, open and swift result.

“Staff, are trained to a high standard, and are fully prepared for this exciting challenge and we are confident that all the work behind the scenes so far will help make the election and the count run as smoothly as it possibly can.”

The team involved in the election are now in the middle of detailed planning which will include looking at remuneration for those staff who will be working on the night.