The Harper government is announcing a major back-track on its proposed overhaul of election rules.

Ottawa says it will bring in a series of amendments – that will remove many of the most contentious aspects of the bill.

Pierre Poilievre, the minister for democratic reform says his government is prepared to remove the requirement for all voters to show residency identification in the next election.

And he says voters will now be able to sign an oath – which confirms their local residence – but must still provide at least some proof of personal identification.

Also being dropped from the controversial bill is a move to allow partisan appointments of central polling supervisors.

And gone is a restriction on how the chief electoral officer can communicate with Canadians.

The government is also doing away with a provision that would have allowed parties to contact former donors during election periods – without incurring an election expense under their campaign cap.