Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased today to be able to bring forward a motion to approve the Representation of the People (Annual Canvass) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2020. The current annual canvass for electors is outdated and cumbersome, is expensive and complex for electoral registration officers to administer and can lead to confusion for our citizens. In light of this, we have worked with the Scottish and UK Governments to modernise and streamline the annual canvass to ensure that it's fit for purpose across nations for all of our elections. This work is part of a range of electoral reforms, including an extension of the franchise for devolved elections achieved in part by the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020, and to be completed by the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill.

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill will also include some other important provisions aimed at improving voter registration in the long term, such as registration for applications, sometimes referred to as automatic registration, and the option to create an all-Wales database of electoral registration information. Taken together with the changes in the annual canvass introduced by these regulations, our electoral reforms will work together to modernise the registration processes as well as improving efficiency and voter experience. Collectively, they represent a significant change in our electoral system and a wide-ranging programme of work.

The objectives of canvass reform are to make the process simpler and clearer for citizens, give more local discretion to electoral registration officers and to safeguard the accuracy and integrity of the electoral register. These canvass reforms will also address the additional cost generated by individual electoral registration and improve the accuracy of our electoral register. With the expansion of the franchise to include 16 and 17-year-olds and qualifying foreign citizens, maximising the accuracy and continued integrity of the electoral register is essential.

The electoral community in Wales has consistently delivered on their registration and election responsibilities to very high standards. In recent years, it's been under very difficult circumstances. The continued robustness of our elections is thanks in no small measure to this great community of professionals and I would like to take this opportunity to place on the record our thanks for their continuing hard work and commitment.

So, I encourage Members here to approve this motion so that we continue to bring electoral processes into the twenty-first century and help our democracy to thrive.