Candidates with disabilities standing in Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections will benefit from fairer spending rules in UK, it has been announced today.
For the first time, disability-related campaign expenses will be excluded from PCC candidates’ spending limits. The changes will help to remove potential barriers that might prevent a disabled person from running for elected office.
“Police and Crime Commissioners provide a vital public service, elected as voices for their local communities. That is why we are levelling the playing field and supporting disabled candidates to run for public office” said Minister for the Constitution, Chloe Smith.
This is part of a series of improvements to make sure our democracy reflects our diverse society.
The exemption laid today has already been applied to other types of elections.
The changes are part of wider government reforms to make democracy more accessible for both candidates and voters. Further commitments include changing the law to allow for a broader range of people to assist voters with disabilities in polling stations, and ongoing work with civil society groups to support people with particular disabilities.
This includes work already underway with the Royal National Institute of Blind People to find more solutions to help voters with low vision fill in their ballot paper.
