National Fraud Initiative

The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland (the CEO) is under a statutory duty to do all that is reasonably practicable to secure that only individuals entitled to be on the electoral register are on it and that all the information held about those on the register is correct.  He is also under a duty to protect the public funds for which he has responsibility and to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that they are not wasted processing ineligible applications or false information.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (the C & AG) is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises under his powers in Articles 4A to 4G of the Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.  He thinks it appropriate to conduct a data matching exercise using data held by the CEO.  Having considered the matter the CEO has decided to disclose the names, addresses, dates of birth and national insurance numbers given on electoral registration forms to the C & AG for use in his data matching exercise.  The CEO is empowered by Article 4C of the 2003 Order to make such disclosures.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match.  This is usually personal information.  Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified.  Where a match is found it indicates that there may be an inconsistency which requires further investigation.  No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.  

The use of data by the C & AG in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority.  It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.  

Data matching by the C & AG is subject to a Code of Practice.  This, together with further information on the C & AG’s legal powers and the reason why he matches particular information, may be found at www.niauditoffice.gov.uk/about/national-fraud-initiative.asp

The electoral registration form has been amended to show the additional purpose for which the information given will be used.