Policy paper

Indemnity for Returning Officers at Local Elections in England

This limited indemnity is provided to Returning Officers and Counting Officers at forthcoming local government elections and referendums in England.

• From: Cabinet Office
• Published: 25 March 2021

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Applies to England

Documents

Local Government Elections and Referendums (England) - Cabinet Office COVID-19 Indemnity

PDF, 130 KB, 6 pages

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Departmental Minute: Local Government Elections and Referendums (England) COVID-19 Indemnity

PDF, 92.5 KB, 6 pages

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Details

For the purposes of local government elections and referendums throughout England, Returning Officers and Counting Officers are statutorily independent officers. They stand separate from both central and local government. They can be exposed to a variety of legal risks varying from minor claims for injury at polling stations to more significant legal costs. Existing insurance that covers Returning Officers and Counting Officers in discharging their statutory duties at local polls will not, in most cases, cover them against claims in relation to COVID-19.

The Cabinet Office will provide a specific and limited indemnity to Returning Officers and Counting Officers at forthcoming local government elections and referendums in England taking place between 6 May 2021 and 4 May 2022 (both dates inclusive). The indemnity covers, subject to exclusions, Returning Officers and Counting Officers in respect of losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and/or reasonable expenses in claims that may be made against or incurred by the Returning Officer or Counting Officer in relation to COVID-19.

Published 25 March 2021