1. Introduction
1.1 Under section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended by Article 5 of the Disability Discrimination (NI) Order 2006) the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), through the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI), is required, when carrying out her functions, to have due regard to the need to:
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promote positive attitudes towards disabled people; and
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encourage participation by disabled people in public life (‘the disability duties’).
Under Section 49B of the DDA 1995, EONI is also required to submit to the Equality Commission a disability action plan showing how it proposes to fulfil these duties in relation to its functions.
1.2 The CEO and her colleagues are committed to implementing effectively the disability duties and this disability plan. We will allocate all necessary resources (in terms of people, time and money) in order to do this, and build objectives and targets relating to the disability duties into corporate and annual business plans.
We will also put appropriate internal arrangements in place to ensure that the disability duties are complied with and that this disability action plan is effectively implemented. We will ensure the effective communication of the plan to staff on the disability duties and the implementation of the plan.
We confirm our commitment to submitting an annual progress report to the Equality Commission on the implementation of this plan as well as carrying out a five year review of this plan.
We are committed to consulting with people with disabilities in the implementation and review of this plan.
The Senior Management Team have responsibility for implementing, reviewing and evaluating this disability action plan. The point of contact within EONI will be
Lisa Cherry, Head of Business Support
Email: lisa.cherry@eoni.org.uk
Tel: 02890446671
If you require this plan in an alternative format (such as in large print, in Braille, audio, easy read or on computer disc) and/or language, please contact the above person to discuss your requirements.
1.3 A copy of this plan is available on EONI’s website www.eoni.org.uk.
1.4 Functions
The arrangements for electoral administration in Northern Ireland are different from elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The system in Northern Ireland is administered centrally by the CEO who is a statutory office holder independent of Government and is assisted by the staff of EONI. The main duties of the CEO are:
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to act as Registration Officer for all constituencies in NI and to maintain the electoral register, a list of the names and addresses of all those entitled to vote;
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to act as Returning Officer for all elections and referendums in NI;
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to secure so far as reasonably practicable that the statutory registration objectives are achieved;
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each year to submit a report to the Secretary of State on how he has performed her duties and on the extent to which the registration objectives have been achieved;
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to act as an assessor to the Boundary Commission for NI;
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to act as an assessor to the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner;
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to lead and manage EONI.
EONI is the name given to an administrative structure which supports the CEO in the performance of her duties. There are four departments in EONI comprising Finance & Logistics, Operations Team, Data Services and the Business Support Unit which includes helpline, Electoral ID cards, Human Resources and maintains EONI’s website.
Registration:
EONI operates a system of continuous registration allowing electors to be added to, amend their details on, or be removed from the register throughout the year. A revised electoral register is published on 1 December each year and a list of alterations to the register is published each month. The Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 abolished the annual canvass in Northern Ireland. Instead of an annual canvass, provision is made for the Secretary of State to direct that a canvass should take place if it is considered that the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the electoral register has fallen below an acceptable level. Further it required that the CEO secure, as far as reasonably practical, registration objectives aimed at maintaining an accurate and comprehensive electoral register and provided him with new powers to require certain public sector organisations to provide him with information to enable her to carry out her registration duties.
Elections:
All EONI staff are involved in the smooth running of elections and referendums in Northern Ireland, ensuring that Section 75 obligations are taken into account when organising polling stations throughout Northern Ireland to afford all registered electors an equal opportunity to exercise their right to vote in suitable premises. EONI is required to carry out a polling station review every four years.
The Electoral Commission is an independent body from EONI and is responsible for voter awareness and reporting on elections and registration. EONI is liaising with the Electoral Commission and the sector around new accessibility requirements flowing from the Elections Act
The CEO through the Electoral Office is responsible for the implementation of the above functions, however, it is Ministers through Parliament who formulate and legislate to determine electoral policy.
1.5 Public Life Positions
Although the CEO has no direct responsibility for appointments to public life positions she will, within the boundaries of the statutory framework under which she operates, do what is possible to ensure that people with disabilities are not disadvantaged when standing as candidates in elections for which she has responsibility.
2 Previous Measures
Outlined below are the key measures which the CEO has already taken to promote positive attitudes towards disabled people and encourage the participation of disabled people in public life.
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Recommendations to NIO to amend the law to make it less difficult for those with a disability to engage in the democratic process.
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Legislation introduced for circumstances where, because of blindness or other disability, election candidates are unable to sign a nomination paper, home address form or consent to nomination they may instead make their mark, which must be witnessed.
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Accessibility initiatives to improve access to office premises, polling places and website.
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Provision of forms and guidance documents in various accessible formats.
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Engagement and consultation with organisations representing various disability groups and outreach initiatives.
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Reasonable adjustments and revised working practices
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Equality/Diversity awareness training for all permanent staff.
3. Action Measures
The link below to the current disability action plan details the measures which we propose to take over the period of the plan.
Disability Action Plan (PDF)