Commentary on Provisions Part 5: Form of Ballot Papers Section 35 – Review of order of candidates on ballot papers used at elections
107.This section places a duty on Scottish Ministers to conduct a review of the order of candidates on ballot papers used at local government and Scottish Parliament elections. Currently candidates’ names are in alphabetical order by surname as opposed to alternative methods such as randomisation. The report is to be published and laid before the Scottish Parliament within 5 years of the provision coming into force.
108.The report must assess, for local government and Scottish Parliament elections: (a) whether any changes should be made to the method of ordering of candidates, and (b) the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of randomising ballot papers or otherwise changing the ordering of candidates on ballot papers. The report must also set out whether the Scottish Ministers intend to make changes to the law in relation to the method of ordering candidates on ballot papers at local government elections or Scottish Parliament elections using their existing powers in section 3 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 and section 12 of the Scotland Act 1998.