Elections Act 2001

England and Wales

Postponement of local government elections in England and Wales

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• (1) If the ordinary day of election for an ordinary local government election in England or Wales would otherwise be 3rd May 2001, it is to be postponed to 7th June 2001.

• (2) If the day of election for a local government election in England or Wales to fill a casual vacancy would otherwise be 3rd May 2001, or a day after that day but before 7th June 2001, it is to be postponed to 7th June 2001.

• (3) A person validly nominated as a candidate at an election to which this section applies does not have to be nominated again for that election.

• (4) In an uncontested election, a declaration of election made before the passing of this Act, for an election to which this section applies, is to have no effect.

• (5) Subsection (4) does not prevent the making of a further declaration in the case of an uncontested election.

• (6) Paragraph 1(2)(b) of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) (date of annual council meeting in years when there is no ordinary election) is to have effect for the year 2001 as if for “March, April or May” there were substituted “ March, April, May or June ”.

• (7) The limit on the election expenses of any candidate at an election to which this section applies is increased by 50% (whenever he was nominated).

Northern Ireland

Postponement of local elections in Northern Ireland

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• (1) The election day for local elections in Northern Ireland is postponed from 16th May 2001 to 7th June 2001.

• (2) A person validly nominated as a candidate at an election to which this section applies does not have to be nominated again for that election.

• (3) The limit on the election expenses of any candidate at an election to which this section applies is increased by 50% (whenever he was nominated).

Combination of polls

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• (1) Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50) (which requires polls for different elections to be taken together if they are to be taken on the same day) shall extend to Northern Ireland.

• (2) In section 15 of the 1985 Act insert the following subsection after subsection (5)—

(6) In its application to Northern Ireland, subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the references to an ordinary local government election were to a local election.

• (3) In consequence of subsection (1) above, in section 29(5) of the 1985 Act (which excepts certain sections from the extension to Northern Ireland, including sections 15 to 18) for “15 to 18” substitute “ 16 to 18 ”.

• (4) In section 84 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47) (power to make provision by Order in Council in relation to certain matters relating to Northern Ireland) after subsection (1) insert—

(1A) The power in subsection (1) includes power to make provision with respect to polls at elections for district councillors when they are combined with polls at other elections.

Modification of election provisions

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The Schedule modifies provisions relating to parliamentary elections and local elections in cases where the polls for such elections are to be taken together in Northern Ireland.

Finance

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• (1) This section applies if the polls at the following elections in Northern Ireland are combined under section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1985—

• (a) any parliamentary general election for which the date of the poll is 7th June 2001, and

• (b) the local elections for which the election day is that date.

• (2) Section 15(4) of that Act (cost of combined polls to be apportioned equally among the elections) does not apply.

• (3) Section 29 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) (charges of returning officer in connection with parliamentary election charged on Consolidated Fund) applies as if the reference in subsection (3) to a parliamentary election were to the elections referred to in subsection (1) above.

• (4) The Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officer’s Charges) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997/774) is to be taken to apply to the elections referred to in subsection (1) above and references to an election or a parliamentary election in that Order are to be construed accordingly.

• (5) Part A of the Schedule to that Order is modified as follows—

• (a) the amount specified in the right-hand column in paragraph 1(2) (maximum recoverable expenses in respect of presiding officers) is increased by £67.25;

• (b) the amount specified in the right-hand column in paragraph 1(3) (increase in maximum recoverable expenses in respect of only one presiding officer at certain polling stations) is increased by £3.02;

• (c) the amount specified in the right-hand column in paragraph 2(2) (maximum recoverable expenses in respect of poll clerks) is increased by £34.80.

• (6) References to the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officer’s Charges) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 include references to that Order as amended whether the amendment is made before or after this section comes into force.

General

Compensation

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• (1) The Secretary of State may—

• (a) make a scheme for compensating any local authority which, or candidate who, incurs additional expenditure as a result of any provision of, or made under, this Act, and

• (b) make payments in accordance with the scheme.

• (2) Claims for compensation must be made in accordance with the scheme.

• (3) The scheme may provide that in the case of a candidate for a registered political party any payment of compensation may be made to that party rather than to the candidate.

• (4) The Secretary of State’s expenditure under this section is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament.

• (5) “Registered political party” has such meaning as may be specified in the scheme.

Consequential provision

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• (1) The Secretary of State may by order make such consequential, transitional or supplemental provision as he considers appropriate as a result of any provision of, or made under, this Act.

• (2) An order may, in particular, amend any provision of, or made under, an enactment or modify the application of such a provision.

• (3) The power to make an order is exercisable by statutory instrument.

• (4) A statutory instrument made under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Short Title

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This Act may be cited as the Elections Act 2001.

SCHEDULE

Part 1 — Parliamentary Elections Rules

Introduction

1

Where the poll at a parliamentary election is to be taken with the poll at a local election in Northern Ireland, Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.

Ballot papers

2

In rule 19(2) after paragraph (d) insert—

(e) must be of a different colour from that of any ballot papers used at an election the poll for which is taken together with the poll for the parliamentary election.

Notice of poll

3

In rule 23 after paragraph (2) insert—

(2A) The notice published under paragraph (2)— (a) must state that the poll at the parliamentary election is to be taken together with the poll at a local election; (b) must specify the relevant district council.

Official poll cards

4

In rule 28 after paragraph (3A) insert—

(3B) An official poll card issued under this rule may be combined with an official poll card issued at a local election.

Equipment of polling stations

5

• (1) Rule 29 is amended as follows.

• (2) In paragraph (4) for “inside and outside every polling station” substitute “ outside every polling station and in every compartment of every polling station. ”

• (3) After paragraph (4) insert—

(4A) The notice referred to in paragraph (4)— (a) must clearly indicate the election to which it relates; (b) must be printed on paper of the same colour as the ballot papers (other than tendered ballot papers or tendered postal ballot papers) used at the election to which it relates.

• (4) Omit paragraph (5).

Questions to be put to voters

6

In rule 35, in the table after paragraph (1), after “this” insert “parliamentary”—

• (a) in entry 1, in each of paragraphs (a) and (b);

• (b) in entry 2, in each of paragraphs (a) to (e);

• (c) in entry 3, in each of paragraphs (a) to (e).

Voting procedure

7

In rule 37 after paragraph (3) insert—

(4) The same copy of the register of electors may be used under paragraph (1) above for each election. (5) One mark may be placed in that register under paragraph (1)(d) or in the list of proxies under paragraph (1)(e) to denote that a ballot paper has been received in respect of each election. (6) If a ballot paper is issued in respect of only one election a different mark must be placed in the register or list (as the case may be) so as to identify the election in respect of which the ballot paper is issued.

Votes marked by presiding officer

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In rule 38 at the end insert—

(3) The same list may be used for each election. (4) If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the ballot papers were marked in pursuance of this rule in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which the ballot paper was so marked.

Voting by persons with disabilities

9

In rule 39 after paragraph (4) insert—

(4A) The same list may be used for each election. (4B) If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the votes were given in accordance with this rule in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which the vote was so given.

Tendered ballot papers

10

In rule 40 after paragraph (3) insert—

(3A) The same list may be used for each election. (3B) If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the tendered ballot papers were marked in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which a tendered ballot paper was marked.

Procedure on close of poll

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• (1) Rule 43 is amended as follows.

• (2) After paragraph (1) insert—

(1A) Separate packets must be made up in respect of each election for the purpose of each of sub-paragraphs (b), (c) and (e) of paragraph (1).

• (3) In paragraph (3) after “presiding officer” insert “ separately for the purposes of each election ”.

Ballot papers in wrong box

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After rule 46 insert—

(46A) (1) The returning officer may make arrangements for— (a) ballot boxes for the parliamentary election to be opened and any ballot papers for the local election to be taken out; (b) those ballot papers to be taken into account for the purposes of the local election; (c) ballot boxes for the local election to be opened and any ballot papers for the parliamentary election to be taken out; (d) those ballot papers to be taken into account for the purposes of the parliamentary election. (2) Paragraph (1) applies notwithstanding anything else in these rules or the local elections rules. (3) Nothing in these rules or the local elections rules requires the counting agents to be given facilities for overseeing the proceedings mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) or (c).

Countermand or abandonment of poll on death of candidate

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• (1) Rule 60 is amended as follows.

• (2) After paragraph (1) insert—

(1A) Neither the countermand of the poll at the parliamentary election nor the direction that that poll be abandoned affects the poll at the local election.

• (3) For paragraph (2) substitute—

(2) If the poll at the parliamentary election is abandoned because of a candidate’s death— (a) no further ballot papers at that election must be delivered in any polling station; (b) at the close of the poll for the local election the presiding officer must comply with the requirements of rule 43 (as amended by the Schedule to the Elections Act 2001) as if the poll at the parliamentary election had not been abandoned; (c) the returning officer must dispose of ballot papers used at the parliamentary election and other documents in his possession as he is required to do on the completion in due course of the counting of the votes, but this is subject to paragraph (2A). (2A) In a case falling within paragraph (2)— (a) a ballot paper account for the parliamentary election need not be prepared or verified; (b) the returning officer, having separated the ballot papers relating to the local election, must take no step or further step for the counting of the ballot papers used at the parliamentary election or of the votes; (c) the returning officer must seal up all of those ballot papers whether the votes on them have been counted or not; (d) it is not necessary to seal up counted and rejected ballot papers in separate packets.

Part 2 — Local Elections Rules

Introduction

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Where the poll at a local election is to be taken with the poll at a parliamentary election in Northern Ireland, Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) (local elections rules) is amended as follows.

Ballot papers

15

In rule 16(2) after paragraph (d) insert—

(e) must be of a different colour from that of any ballot papers used at an election the poll for which is taken together with the poll for the local election.

Notice of poll

16

In rule 20 after paragraph (2) insert—

(3) The notice published under paragraph (2)— (a) must state that the poll at the local election is to be taken together with the poll at a parliamentary election; (b) must specify the relevant parliamentary constituency.

Postal ballot papers

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In rule 21(1) after “identity in the” insert “ relevant ”.

Official poll cards

18

In rule 25 after paragraph (3) insert—

(3A) An official poll card issued under this rule may be combined with an official poll card issued at a parliamentary election.

Equipment of polling stations

19

In rule 26 after paragraph (4) insert—

(4A) The notice referred to in paragraph (4)— (a) must clearly indicate the election to which it relates; (b) must be printed on paper of the same colour as the ballot papers (other than tendered ballot papers or tendered postal ballot papers) used at the election to which it relates.

Questions to be put to voters

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In rule 32 in question (ii) of each of paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) and in in each of questions (a), (b) and (c) in paragraph (2) after “at this” insert “ local ”.

Voting procedure

21

In rule 34 after paragraph (9) insert—

(10) The same copy of the register of electors may be used under paragraph (1) for each election. (11) One mark may be placed in that register under paragraph (1)(d) or in the list of proxies under paragraph (1)(e) to denote that a ballot paper has been received in respect of each election. (12) If a ballot paper is issued in respect of one election only a different mark must be placed in the register or list (as the case may be) so as to identify the election in respect of which the ballot paper is issued.

Votes marked by presiding officer

22

In rule 35 at the end insert—

(4) The same list may be used for each election. (5) If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the ballot papers were marked in pursuance of this rule in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which the ballot paper was so marked.

Voting by persons with disabilities

23

In rule 36 after paragraph (4A) insert—

(4B) The same list may be used for each election. (4C) If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the votes were given in accordance with this rule in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which the vote was so given.

Tendered ballot papers

24

In rule 37 after paragraph (6) insert—

(6A) The same list may be used for each election. (6B) If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the tendered ballot papers were marked in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which a tendered ballot paper was marked.

Procedure on close of poll

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• (1) Rule 41 is amended as follows.

• (2) After paragraph (1) insert—

(1A) Separate packets must be made up in respect of each election for the purpose of each of sub-paragraphs (b), (c) and (e) of paragraph (1).

• (3) In paragraph (3) after “presiding officer” insert “ separately for the purposes of each election ”.

Time for counting votes

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• (1) Rule 43 is amended as follows.

• (2) In paragraph (1) for “morning on the day after” substitute “ morning on the second day after ”.

• (3) After paragraph (1) insert—

(1A) For the purpose of determining the day for counting under paragraph (1) a Saturday, a Sunday and a public holiday must be disregarded.

Ballot papers in wrong box

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After rule 53 insert—

(53A) (1) The returning officer may make arrangements for— (a) ballot boxes for the local election to be opened and any ballot papers for the parliamentary election to be taken out; (b) those ballot papers to be taken into account for the purposes of the parliamentary election; (c) ballot boxes for the parliamentary election to be opened and any ballot papers for the local election to be taken out; (d) those ballot papers to be taken into account for the purposes of the local election. (2) Paragraph (1) applies notwithstanding anything else in these rules or the parliamentary elections rules. (3) Nothing in these rules or the parliamentary elections rules requires the counting agents to be given facilities for overseeing the proceedings mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) or (c).

Countermand or abandonment of poll on death of candidate

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• (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .