Local Government Elections 2012

That the Parliament notes the importance of local democracy and in particular this year’s local elections; welcomes the response of the Scottish Government, local authorities and others to the Gould report and the improvements that have been made in electoral administration as a result; further notes that preparations for the local government elections in Scotland in May 2012 have been taken forward in a collaborative manner with electoral professionals and local authorities including work to procure, develop and test a system of electronic counting to be used in the elections; calls on all of those with an interest in these elections to work to further increase and improve voter engagement and participation, and supports the recommendation of the Scotland Bill Committee that the UK Government should amend the Scotland Bill to devolve responsibility and powers for all elections that take place in Scotland, except those to the UK and EU Parliaments.