To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission how many forms of ballot paper are used for postal voting in elections. (282086)

The Electoral Commission informs me that for each type of election the form of the ballot paper is prescribed in law. The form of the documents sent to postal voters, including the postal voting statement, voting instructions, ballot paper envelope and return envelope, is also prescribed in law and is the same for all elections.

The Commission has issued guidance on the production of ballot papers and postal voting materials, but it is the responsibility of each returning officer to ensure that the documents sent to postal voters comply with the law. The Commission understands that returning officers adopt a variety of approaches to the stationery and packaging for postal ballot packs.