The company that scrutinises UK elections has added an online service to its business.

The company that scrutinises UK elections has added an online service to its business.

Electoral Reform Services, a ballot and election specialist, has paid an undisclosed sum to add electoral roll IT developer Xpress Software to its offering.

The company was sold by Nicholas Crump and Mark Laybourne, who continue to run the business post-completion from their premises in Stroud.

Electoral Reform was advised on the legal issues of the deal by Stephen Fuller, a senior partner at Harris Cartier.

Fuller said the firm was introduced to Electoral Reform by one of its non-executive directors, who is an existing client of the firm.

“The good relationship between the parties was reflected in the way this transaction proceeded and reached its conclusion, despite the earnout provisions having been complicated by the possibility of a General Election being called.”

Crump and Laybourne were supported by law firm Harrison Clark, which had partner Inger Woolhouse heading its team, while Gavin Gardiner at Gardiner Fosch in Worcester provided financial services.

Electoral Reform’s expertise is recognised by the United Nations and its status as an independent scrutineer of voting is authorised by the UK parliament.

It also provides official electoral registration and returning officers in the UK as well as the specialist supplies and services needed to run parliamentary, local and European elections.

Xpress, formally Stroud Information Services, has developed an electoral registration and management software.