Appointment of Chief Electoral Officer – March 2021

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Brandon Lewis MP has today announced the renewal of Virginia McVea’s appointment as Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland.

Ms McVea’s appointment was due to expire on 31 January 2022 but to ensure continuity in advance of the next electoral cycle it has been renewed for a further period of four years until 31 January 2026.

Virginia McVea has been the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland since 1 February 2017. She is a qualified solicitor who previously served as the Director (Chief Executive Officer) of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Head of Legal Services in the Human Rights Commission and as a legal adviser to the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

Notes to Editors

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for appointing the Chief Electoral Office under section 14 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962, as amended by Article 6 of the Electoral Law (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, the Northern Ireland (Modification of Enactments – No 1) Order 1973 and the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006.

Although the current period of appointment is not due to expire until 2022 it was appropriate to announce the renewal of Virginia McVea’s appointment at this time to ensure continuity in advance of the next electoral cycle.

Information on the work of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland can be found at http://www.eoni.org.uk

Terms of appointment

• The position is full time and pensionable.

• Remuneration is currently £92,413, and reviewed annually.

Political Activity

• All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public.

• Virginia McVea has declared no political activity in the past ten years.

Regulation

• The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates this appointment.