2012 England and Wales police and crime commissioner elections
The 2012 police and crime commissioner elections were polls held in most police areas in England and Wales on Thursday 15 November. The direct election of police and crime commissioners (PCCs) was originally scheduled for May 2012 but was postponed in order to secure the passage of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 through the House of Lords. The government considers the elected commissioners to have a stronger mandate than the "unelected and invisible police authorities that they replace". The elections took place alongside by-elections for the House  of Commons in Cardiff South and Penarth, Corby and Manchester Central, and a mayoral election in Bristol. Police and crime commissioner elections were for 41 of the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales; only the City of London Police and Metropolitan Police were not involved (the elected Mayor of London is classed as the police and crime commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Area, while the Court of Common Council fulfils the role for the City Police). Elections for police and crime commissioners did not take place in Scotland or Northern Ireland as policing and justice powers are devolved  to the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly. The elections were marked by very low turnouts, between 10–20%, and numbers of spoilt votes (somewhat higher than other elections under the same voting system), sparking a debate about their legitimacy and organisation. The day after the election, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke suggested that, because of the low turnout and high number of spoilt ballot papers, there was no popular mandate for the new commissioners. The Electoral Commission said that it would be reviewing the results. Election details. Commissioners have a set four-year term of office and a maximum of  two terms. The election used the supplementary vote system: voters marked the ballot paper with their first and second choices of candidate. If no candidate got a majority of first preference votes, the top two candidates went on to a second round in which second preference votes of the eliminated candidates were allocated to them to produce a winner. This is the system used to elect London's mayor. Section 57 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 directs that the voting system is first past the post if there are only two candidates for a specific commissioner  region. (This was the case in the North Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Dyfed-Powys police force areas) A dedicated website was launched providing information on all candidates from which voters could request hardcopy information leaflets printed to order. All registered electors (British, Irish, Commonwealth and European Union citizens) living in England and Wales (except London) who were aged 18 or over on Thursday 15 November 2012 were entitled to vote in the PCC elections. Those who were temporarily away from their ordinary address (for example, away working, on holiday, in student accommodation or in hospital) could still vote in the PCC  elections. Those who were registered to vote at more than one address (such as a university student who has a term-time address and lives at home during holidays) were entitled to vote in the PCC elections at both addresses, as long as they were not in the same police force area. The deadline to register to vote in the PCC elections was midnight on Wednesday 31 October 2012, though anyone who qualified as an anonymous elector had until midnight on Thursday 8 November 2012 to register. Nominations for candidates closed at midday on Friday 19 October 2012, and the  official list of nominated candidates was published on Tuesday 23 October 2012. Electoral Commission. On 11 September 2012 the Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog in the UK, announced it would run a public awareness campaign from Monday 22 October 2012 until polling day 15 November 2012. A booklet was sent to every household in England and Wales with factual information on the PCC elections. The commission also published a briefing note setting out the steps that needed to be taken to ensure the police and crime commissioner elections were well run. Jenny Watson, chair of the Electoral Commission, said : "While we don’t agree with the decisions taken by the Government about how to make people aware of these elections, it’s now time to focus on making the arrangements work for voters." Party positions. Both Labour and the Conservatives fielded candidates in all 41 elections, while the Liberal Democrats fielded 24 candidates (all in England) and UKIP fielded 23 candidates in England and one in North Wales. The English Democrats fielded five candidates, the Green Party had just one candidate, and the British Freedom Party also had one candidate. Plaid Cymru did not stand any candidates for the  four Welsh constabularies. There were 57 other candidates; 54 stood as independents and three stood under other labels ("Justice and Anti-Corruption", "Campaign to Stop Politicians Running Policing" and "Zero Tolerance Policing ex Chief"). Party funding. Candidates standing for election were required to post a £5,000 deposit, which was returned if they received at least 5 per cent of the vote. The Labour Party initially considered not fielding candidates under party colours in favour of independent candidates, claiming that running candidates would politicise police forces. However the party later changed its position, letting candidates stand as Labour candidates and  funding their deposits. The Conservative Party Central Office did not provide any funding for Conservative candidates, leaving them either to fund deposits out of their own pockets or to be funded by local Conservative associations. The Liberal Democrats Federal Executive Committee voted against providing funds for regional parties who wished to stand candidates. Turnout. In August 2012 the Electoral Reform Society predicted that government mishandling of the elections was likely to lead to the lowest election turnout in UK peacetime history. Turnout was low for the elections across England and Wales: below 20% in most areas — with a total turnout  of 15.1%. Lack of information (both on the election itself and from the candidates) and the November timing of the election were cited as reasons for the low turnout. It was also argued that the election should have been held on the same day as local elections. Results. Overall results. "Turnout: 15.1%" England. North Yorkshire Police. With two candidates, the voting system was first past the post. South Yorkshire Police. Shaun Wright resigned on 16 September 2014, necessitating the 2014 South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner by-election Staffordshire Police. With two candidates, the voting system was first past the  post. West Midlands Police. Bob Jones died on 1 July 2014, necessitating the 2014 West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner by-election. Wales. Dyfed-Powys Police. With two candidates, the voting system was first past the post. Gwent Police. A polling station in Bettws in Newport had a turnout of zero.