Committee on Procedures' Review of Proxy Voting

Synopsis: This briefing paper has been prepared for the Committee on Procedures. The committee asked for information on the following: any permanent proxy voting procedures in other legislatures, including any temporary arrangements as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The NI Assembly has introduced temporary provisions in Standing Orders to allow proxy voting until January 2021. Standing Orders 112 and 115 allow for proxy voting in the chamber and committees respectively (along with other measures for committees including voting by video link or telephone). The Committee is considering instances in which proxy voting could be retained on a more permanent basis and how this might be reflected in Standing Orders.