When Voting...

[Caladon]

When I voted last year for the general election... I went to my polling station and was greeted in the foyer by 2 people behind a table asking my name. They then directed me inside where I had to give my polling card to an official who in turn gave me the voting card.
Question is... who were the first people and do they have the right to ask my name? Thinking about it I assumed they were a political party trying to forecast numbers of voters.

Thanks,
Cal

[Hymie]

It is almost certain that the first two people were representatives (from the political parties) collecting details of those who have voted. It would not be uncommon for them not to be representing the same party. There reason for wanting to know who has voted – is that later on in the day, they can call round on persons who they believe would vote for them, but have not so far done so.

They can ask you anything they like – you are free to respond any how you like.

[sddsddean]

I have been involved in elections since I was 6, as my Mum and Dad were both local councillors, so I know what I'm talking about. As Hymie says, they are seeing if you are one of their voters by taking your number (or name/address), but this is useless to them unless you have been previously canvassed to say who you are voting for. Secondly, what they are doing is ILLEGAL. They cannot, by law, ask you anything until you have voted as they may be deemed to be influencing your vote. Legally, they are not even allowed on the premises of the Polling Station, though they can ask the permission of that stations officer, though I have know stations where permission has been refused. In this case they have to wait 'outside the gate' or whatever. I love going to my local polling station and telling the 'number collectors' all this...they seem quite taken aback!