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Overview of the Electoral Office

The Chief Electoral Officer is Dr David Marshall.

The main duties of the Chief Electoral Officer are:

  • to act as electoral registration officer for all constituencies in Northern Ireland; 
  • to act as returning officer for all elections and referendums in Northern Ireland; 
  • to recommend to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by 16 April each year whether or not a registration canvass should be conducted;
  • to act as an assessor to the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland; 
  • to act as an assessor to the Local Government Boundaries Commissioner; and 
  • to lead and manage the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland.