The Select Committee inquiry into Voter Engagement has produced an INTERIM report which can be found here:
Being interim is unusual, and they are seeking consultation comments on their conclusions and recommendations.
Paragraph 115 comments explicitly on East Devon’s refusal to answer FoI requests.
“The Committee notes that despite evidence from the Electoral Commission that they would advise EROs to respond to FOI requests as though they were subject to the Act, East Devon District Council has been refusing to respond to requests for information under the FOI Act from members of the public in respect of electoral registration activity.”
One of the recommendations is that EROs / ROs are brought under the FoI umbrella so that is required by law not just advisory.
East Devon Watch 