That brings us to group 5. These relate to orders and rules on the conduct of elections to be held in 2021. Amendment 1 is the lead amendment, and I call on the Minister to speak to the lead amendment and to the other amendments in the group—Julie James.

Amendment 1 (Julie James) moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I move amendments 1 and 2 tabled in my name. The amendments provide that regulations making temporary amendments to the National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007, commonly known as the conduct Order, for the 2021 Senedd election only are subject to the made affirmative procedure, instead of the affirmative procedure. This is to ensure that any changes that need to be made can come into force quickly, and can be relied upon by electoral administrators to put in place arrangements in a timely fashion.

The amendment is broadly drawn to make sure that, if issues do arise between the Bill being enacted and the election, the Welsh Government can respond swiftly to help administrators and safeguard the rights of voters. The amending Order to the conduct Order was agreed by the Senedd before Christmas, in line with the Gould convention. But, in this fast-moving situation, we may need to make further changes. If we do so, this will be in close consultation with the Electoral Commission and electoral administrators.

Our specific policy intentions for this provision currently concern creating more options for the use of territorial descriptors on nomination and ballot papers, and helping to avoid errors on postal voting statements. The amending Order made provision for the use of the territorial descriptors 'Welsh' and 'Cymru' as additions to the registered party name on nomination and ballot papers. Similar provision already exists in Scotland. We are exploring whether this provision could be widened to give political parties more choice about how they are described.

We've also been made aware of an error that is sometimes made on the postal voting statement a voter must return with their postal ballot paper. The statement requires the voter to enter their date of birth for checking against the date that they gave on their postal vote application. Some voters insert the date of signing the postal vote statement instead of their date of birth, which results in rejection of their vote.

The indications, for example from the recent Electoral Commission survey, are that the proportion of postal votes may rise, and we are encouraging people to consider applying for a postal vote, especially people who are shielding. With more postal votes comes the risk that this error might become more common. So, we are exploring whether provision could be made in the conduct Order to help avoid this error occurring and thus potentially reduce the number of postal votes that are rejected. I urge Members to support these amendments. Diolch.

Gareth Bennett.

Apologies, Llywydd, but I didn't have anything to say on this group. We are opposing these amendments. I didn't want to actually speak at this stage, but thank you. 

Okay. Okay, that's fine. The Minister to respond, if there is a response. No. Okay.

The question is that amendment 1 be agreed. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is, and therefore we will move to a vote on amendment 1. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 47, one abstention, four against, therefore amendment 1 is agreed.

Amendment 1: For: 47, Against: 4, Abstain: 1

Amendment has been agreed

Julie James, amendment 2.

Is amendment 2 being moved?

Amendment 2 (Julie James) moved.

Moved.

The question is that amendment 2 be agreed. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 2. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 48, one abstention, three against, therefore amendment 2 is agreed.

Amendment 2: For: 48, Against: 3, Abstain: 1

Amendment has been agreed