Diolch, Llywydd. The aim of this Bill is to deliver a safe and fair election for the people of Wales in the face of a public health crisis the like of which we have not previously seen in our lifetimes. The objective in these exceptional times must be to ensure the election can be run in a COVID-safe manner and protecting the fundamental right to vote. It is concerning, therefore, that the Member continues to promote an amendment that would at best narrow the criteria for proxy vote applications and at worst disenfranchise those who, because they are following law and guidance to stay at home, find that they cannot vote in person.

The Member would like to add an amendment that requires an NHS isolation note as a necessary requirement for a person seeking a proxy vote. These isolation notes are provided by the NHS to people who are unable to work for more than seven days because of coronavirus, and are obtained using the NHS website. It is important to understand that these notes are only available to patients who are advised to self-isolate by the online symptom checker and who are employed. The Member's amendment, therefore, would prevent those who have been advised to shield, those who do not currently display symptoms, and those who are not in employment from being able to apply for an emergency proxy vote. Finally, we have been advised that the speed at which these isolation notes are received can vary depending on the application. The concern here is the note may not be returned in time for voters who find they cannot vote in person to arrange the proxy. With all these concerns I ask: why does the Member want to disenfranchise these people? We must also acknowledge the considerable pressure having to administer these notes would put on an NHS already dealing with a pandemic.

The Member has previously mentioned the potential for fraud, which is a valid concern in all elections. However, I would like to put his mind at rest. In 2019, a year that saw a general election, European election and local elections, only 142 allegations of voter fraud were recorded. From this already small number of allegations, only two cases were prosecuted, both of which related to impersonation at a polling station, and not postal or proxy votes. Although the Member’s continued protestations of fraud sound alarming, they appear to be baseless.

Given our concerns that this amendment would narrow the criteria for proxy voting, potentially disenfranchise voters and put further and unnecessary pressure on the NHS, we are opposing this amendment. The reasons that you would give for having a proxy vote in these emergency circumstances are for a coronavirus reason only, and therefore I urge Members to vote against this amendment. Diolch.