Commentary on Provisions Part 7: Election pilots and democratic engagement
112.Part 7 contains various changes in relation to pilot schemes and democratic engagement. Section 39 adjusts existing powers in sections 5 and 6 of the Local Government (Elections) Act 2002 (the “2002 Act”) to pilot electoral processes and sections 40 to 43 introduce new piloting powers for registration of electors. Section 44 provides the Scottish Ministers with new financial assistance powers for the purpose of increasing democratic engagement. Currently, the Scottish Ministers have a range of grant making powers that may be used to facilitate participation in elections, although these tend to be framed in relation to specific groups rather than the whole electorate. . Section 45 makes a change to the existing general power in section 3 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 for Ministers to make provision on the conduct of local government elections, to allow sub-delegation in order that other bodies can issue documents relevant to the conduct of local elections, such as guidance or forms. Section 46 places the Access to Elected Office Fund on a statutory basis.