Policy Background Intimidation: New Electoral Sanction
In 2017, the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life published the review Intimidation in public life . This highlighted that candidates and campaigners faced increased intimidation and suggested that "specific electoral sanctions would reflect the seriousness of this threat."
	In 2019, following the Protecting the Debate public consultation, the previous Government committed to "applying electoral sanctions to existing offences of intimidatory behaviour."
	In 2021, the Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution reiterated the Government’s intention to "legislate to introduce a new electoral sanction of intimidation" in a written ministerial statement (HCWS833 ).
	This Act introduces a new electoral sanction in the form of a disqualification order, which is intended to provide additional protection to those who participate in elections and contribute to the political debate, and deter individuals from carrying out acts of intimidation. The disqualification order can be imposed on a person convicted of a criminal offence motivated by hostility towards a candidate, future candidate, substitute or nominee (in Northern Ireland), campaigner or the holder of a relevant elective office. The effect of the new disqualification order is a five-year disqualification from standing for, being elected to or holding all elective offices in the UK except for Scottish Parliament and Scottish local government elected offices.