Commentary on Provisions Part 7: Election pilots and democratic engagement Section 46 – Access to elected office fund
142.This section puts the Access to Elected Office Fund on a statutory footing. The Fund has been operating since 2016 on a non-statutory basis. The effect will be to ensure that the Fund continues to support disabled candidates to stand for election in Scottish Parliament and local government elections as long as the provision remains in force.
143.The section provides that the Fund will be administered separately by a person designated by the Scottish Ministers, subject to the Parliament approving that designation in draft by resolution. However, provision is made to allow the existing administrative arrangements for the Fund to continue without re-designating the administrator already chosen.
144.The Scottish Ministers are required to report to Parliament after each ordinary Scottish Parliament election and each ordinary local election on the operation of the Fund.