In brief
A public consultation on a prisoner’s right to vote has been announced by the government following the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling in Hirst v United Kingdom in which a life sentence prisoner successfully challenged the UK’s current arrangements. Currently, all convicted offenders held in UK prisons are barred from voting in UK elections. The government wants to retain this policy but is required to review it under its European Convention on Human Rights.
obligations. The consultation will allow people to comment on the current total disenfranchisement of convicted detained prisoners. The consultation will close on 7 March 2007 when the government will choose the most appropriate option and publish a second consultation, exploring how any change might work.
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