A public register release is the extract an authority discloses from a held roll. FOIA 2000 and the EIR 2004 exempt certain PII, such as a National Insurance number or a private address. Where the roll is the electoral one specifically, the Representation of the People Regulations 2001 already split it in two: a full version restricted to specified public bodies, and a shorter edited copy anyone may buy, and an extract must not blur that line. anonym.plus marks the exempt PII on your own device, so the source stays inside the authority while you review it.
When this applies
A requester asks for an extract from the list. It carries full names, a NINO, contact details, and exact dates the rules may restrict.
How anonym.plus handles it
- Open the extract in anonym.plus on your device.
- Local OCR reads scanned pages from the roll.
- The tool flags names, NINOs, dates, and addresses.
- Match each flag to the personal-data exemption.
- Black out the exempt PII, then check the page.
- Save the cleared extract on your machine.
What you need to provide
- The extract (PDF, scan, or data export).
- An operator: Redact for the public copy.
- Optional date-broaden rule where the rules allow.
PII entity types detected
| Category | anonym.plus entity type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Names | PERSON | subject name → [PERSON] |
| Identifiers | UK_NINO | the NINO → [NINO] |
| Dates | DATE_TIME | exact DOB → [DATE] |
| Names | PERSON | associated parties → [PERSON] |
| Location | LOCATION | residence → [ADDRESS] |
| Identifiers | NATIONAL_ID | register entry no. → [ID] |
Compliance achieved
- Supports exemptions under FOIA 2000 / EIR 2004.
- Keeps a release aligned with the full/edited split the Representation of the People Regulations 2001 sets for the electoral roll.
- Hides NINOs and other PII the rules restrict.
- Offline work keeps the source inside the authority.
- Local OCR reads scanned pages for review.
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Limitations & cautions
Rules vary by roll and by entry age. What you may disclose is a legal call. The tool flags PII but cannot read the regime that governs the list, and the electoral roll's own full/edited split does not apply to every other kind of public record. A historic entry and a current one may follow different rules.
Frequently asked questions
Are old entries still restricted?
It depends on the roll and the entry's age. Some open after a set period. anonym.plus flags PII so you apply the right age and exemption rules.
Is an electoral extract different from other rolls?
Yes. The Representation of the People Regulations 2001 create two versions: a full one, available only to specified bodies for specified purposes, and an edited copy with the opt-out entries removed, which is open to general sale. An extract released as if it were the edited version must not smuggle in anything that only sits on the fuller one.
Is the National Insurance number always removed?
Most rules restrict a full NINO in public releases. The tool flags them so you can redact or mask under the right regime.
Can it read a scanned page from the list?
Yes. Local OCR reads scanned and photographed pages, so PII in images is flagged alongside typed text.