70. In order to achieve the relevant registration objectives, the Chief Electoral Officer can collect personal information through the canvass, such as: (a) the person’s name; (b)the person’s qualifying address; (c) the person’s date of birth; (d) subject to some exceptions, the person’s signature; (e) the person’s national insurance number or a statement that he/she does not have one (Section 10ZB (4) Representation of the People Act 1983). The additional personal data gathered in the registration process do not appear on the published register of electors. However, it will be used to check the identity of the voters when they apply to absent voting (by post or proxy), or can be used in the polling station, before receiving the ballot (for example, the staff could ask the date of birth should they have some concern as to the identity of the elector).
