After the Electoral Commission published its report on the 2024 general election, efforts to examine and improve electoral processes for future elections have been launched. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee has recently published written evidence from Professor Justin Fisher, Dr Manu Savani, and Dr Fotios Spyridonis as part of its inquiry into the 2024 general election.
The submission by Brunel scientists highlights key challenges faced by overseas voters and calls for a renewed focus on modernising the voting process, including the potential reintroduction of remote online voting (i-voting).
With the removal of the 15-year rule for overseas voter registration, the number of UK citizens abroad eligible to vote has increased significantly and is likely to grow further. However,despite this expansion, the current system of postal voting remains fraught with logistical difficulties. Overseas voters often experience delays in receiving and returning ballots, while electoral administrators also face challenges in managing these votes efficiently.
A summary:
- One potential solution to the problem of postal voting for overseas voters is the use of telephone-based assisted voting, as Electoral Commission suggests.
- An alternative option is introduction of remote online voting (known as i-voting) as a means by which overseas voters may cast their ballot.
- Based on positively received pilot i-voting programmes and research by Prof Fisher, Dr Savani, and Dr Spyridonis, researchers recommend resuming trials of remote online voting to provide a secure and convenient option for overseas voters while reflecting the digitisation of citizens’ lives.
See the full written evidence here
The evidence was submitted as a response to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the 2024 election Review of the 2024 general election - Committees - UK Parliament
Update on Committee Review of the Evidence citing evidence from Brunel University of London
On 22nd July 2025, the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee published their Review of the 2024 general election. This review cited the Brunel evidence on difficulties with postal voting for overseas voters and promising research into online voting for overseas citizens (paragraphs 113 and 117). The also included a recommendation for a feasibility study into online voting for overseas citizens (paragraph 120), which was the main recommendation in the evidence submitted by the team of Brunel academics.