THE elections watchdog warned today that plans to reduce its independence could allow ministers to shape how electoral law applies to their own party and their political opponents. 

In a strongly worded letter, the Electoral Commission reiterated calls for the Tory proposals to be abandoned. 

Its commissioners wrote to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove to stress that the provision in the Elections Bill would allow governments to influence the watchdog’s “operational functions and decision-making.”

The legislation, which also includes widely condemned plans to introduce voter ID, is set to be debated by the House of Lords this week after passing the Commons. 

Backing the letter, deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of “rigging our democracy for himself.”

The commissioners stressed that the introduction of a “strategy and policy statement” for the watchdog would allow ministers to influence its “oversight and enforcement of the political finance regime” as well as guidance to political parties and campaigners.

“It would thereby provide a mechanism, driven by the then governing party, enabling that party’s ministers to shape how electoral law is applied to them and their political competitors,” they wrote. 

“While the stated position of the current government is that it would not intend to use these powers to impact on the commission’s independent regulation of the electoral system, no such assurances can be given about how the broad scope of these powers would be used over time.

“Strong accountability is essential for this, but so too is demonstrable independence. The commission’s independent role must be clear for voters and campaigners to see and preserved in electoral law.”

The letter, signed by all but one of the 10 commissioners – the exception being Tory-nominated Lord Gilbert, due to his role in the Lords – urged ministers to “think again” and remove the provisions.

They follow an Electoral Commission investigation that resulted in the Conservative Party being fined £17,800 for failing to properly declare a Tory peer’s £67,000 donation towards the cost of a lavish refurbishment of Mr Johnson’s Downing Street flat.

Ms Rayner said: “The Elections Bill is anti-democratic in so many ways.

“Attacking institutions, allowing unchecked foreign money into British democracy and disenfranchising so many people.”