Technical changes to the electoral registration system: FOI release

Information requested

I am writing to submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request details of any IT system changes, software updates, or new verification processes introduced between 1 January 2024 and 31 May 2026 to allow electoral registration officers to check limited leave to remain status for candidate and voter eligibility.

Response

After conducting searches of our records, we have not identified any information in scope of your request. This is a formal notice under S.17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

No such changes were required in the date range specified. The expansion to the franchise in relation to foreign nationals for Scottish Parliament and local government elections occurred on 3 August 2020. The expansion of candidacy rights to foreign nationals with limited leave to remain occurred on 1 August 2025. Electoral Registration Officers are concerned with the registration of voters and do not play any part in the verification of candidate eligibility. Returning Officers are responsible for handling the nomination of candidates but do not proactively check eligibility.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.