Returning Officer

Why do we collect personal data?

The Returning Officer is a data controller and collects personal data supplied in preparation for elections or referenda and to support results. We will only collect the personal data required in order to do this.

What is our legal basis for processing this personal data?

We do this in the performance of a task carried out in the public interest and in the exercise of our official duty under the Representation of the People Act 1985 and the Representation of the People Regulations 2001.

This ensures that elections or referenda are conducted in a robust, fair and transparent way.

We use records kept by the Electoral Registration Officer about potential and actual voters. In addition we compile and use data relating to:

• election candidates
• voters who propose, second or subscribe candidate nomination papers
• election, counting and polling agents and their guests/partners
• political parties and their officials
• staff employed at elections
• contact details for polling stations and count centres

These records may be written down, or kept on a computer.

How long will we keep your personal data?

The Returning Officer is obliged to process personal data for the preparation of the electoral register and the subsequent organisation of elections or referenda. Personal details will be kept and updated in accordance with our legal obligations and in line with statutory retention periods.

Your rights

You are entitled to request a copy of any information about you that we hold.

If the information we hold about you is inaccurate you have a right to have this corrected and you have the right to request completion of incomplete data.

You have the right to request that we stop, or restrict the processing of your personal data, in certain circumstances. Where possible we will seek to comply with your request, but we may be required to hold or process information to perform our statutory functions.

You can make a request to access your information rights online.

If you are dissatisfied with how your personal information has been use, in addition to the council's own complaints policy, you have a right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at:

• Address: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
• Telephone: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 (national rate)
• Website: ico.org.uk

You can contact the Returning Officer at Stratford-on-Avon District Council.