The UK government has handed a contract worth £63m to tech firms Atos and Softwire to deliver digital development services for the electoral system.
The seven-year contract will see the tech firms work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to support the development of a digital elections services portfolio.
“We are delighted to be working with Softwire and MHCLG on this vital service. We understand the need for secure, robust and future-ready digital systems that underpin citizen services,” said Michael Herron, head of Atos UK and Ireland.
“This award reflects our deep expertise in delivering critical solutions for citizens on behalf of the Government.”
The firms will provide full multi-disciplinary teams to work alongside the existing MHCLG team to deliver the government’s electoral reform manifesto pledges.
As well as needing to add over one million new young voters to the register once the minimum age is lowered, there are also plans to modernise the Electoral Registration Officer Portal.
“We are delighted to continue our existing relationship with MHCLG on the important work of supporting and securing UK elections,” said Softwire’s director of public sector, health and transport.
“Our partnership with Atos allows us to combine our deep experience in designing and building universally accessible critical assets with Atos’ track record of successfully delivering scaled programmes of work.”