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Elections Act 2022

Current text a fecha 2022-10-26

Part 1 — Administration and conduct of elections

Voter identification, applications for postal and proxy votes, etc

Voter identification

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Schedule 1 makes provision, including provision amending RPA 1983, in connection with the production of identification at polling stations by voters.

Power to make regulations about registration, absent voting and other matters

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Schedule 2 contains provision, including provision amending Schedule 2 to RPA 1983, in connection with applications relating to registration, applications to vote by post or proxy, and applications for particular kinds of document.

Postal and proxy voting

Restriction of period for which person can apply for postal vote

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Schedule 3 contains provision limiting the period for which a person can apply to vote by post—

Handling of postal voting documents by political campaigners

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(112A) (1) A person who is a political campaigner in respect of a relevant election commits an offence if the person handles a postal voting document that has been issued to another person for use in that election. (2) But a person who handles a postal voting document for use in a relevant election does not commit the offence if— (a) the person is responsible for, or assists with, the conduct of that election (for example as a returning officer or a person working under the direction of a returning officer), (b) the person is engaged in the business of a postal operator, or (c) the person is employed or engaged in a role the duties of which include the handling of postal packets on behalf of members of an organisation or the occupants of a communal building, and the handling is consistent with the person’s duties in that capacity. (3) Nor does a person commit the offence if the person— (a) is the other person’s spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild, or (b) provides regular care for, or is employed or engaged by an organisation which provides care for, the other person. (4) It is a defence for a person charged with the offence to show that the person did not dishonestly handle the postal voting document for the purpose of promoting a particular outcome at a relevant election. (5) Where sufficient evidence is adduced to raise an issue with respect to the defence under subsection (4), the court must assume that the defence is satisfied unless the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt that it is not. (6) A person is guilty of a corrupt practice if the person— (a) commits the offence under subsection (1), or (b) aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of that offence. (7) For the purposes of this section a person is a political campaigner in respect of a relevant election if any of the following paragraphs applies— (a) the person is a candidate at the election; (b) the person is an election agent of a candidate at the election; (c) the person is a sub-agent of a person within paragraph (b); (d) the person is employed or engaged by a person who is a candidate at the election for the purposes of that person’s activities as a candidate; (e) the person is a member of a registered political party and carries on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election; (f) the person is employed or engaged by a registered political party in connection with the party’s political activities; (g) the person is employed or engaged by a person within any of paragraphs (a) to (f) to carry on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election; (h) the person is employed or engaged by a person within paragraph (g) to carry on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election. (8) In this section— - “postal operator” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (see section 27(3) to (5) of that Act); - “postal voting document” means a postal ballot paper, postal voting statement, declaration of identity or envelope that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a relevant election; - “relevant election” means— a parliamentary election, or a local government election in England. (9) For the purposes of this section, an envelope— (a) that is not a postal voting document, but (b) that contains a postal ballot paper, postal voting statement or declaration of identity that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a relevant election, is to be treated as if it were a postal voting document that has been issued to the person for use in the election. (10) In this section, any reference to a person who is “engaged” by another person, or to a person who provides care for another person, includes a reference to a person who is engaged or provides care otherwise than for payment or promise of payment. (11) For the purposes of subsection (3)(a), two people living together as if they were a married couple or civil partners are treated as if they were spouses or civil partners of each other.

Handing in postal voting documents

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(ba) where regulations under rule 45(1B)(a) or (b) provide that a postal ballot paper or postal voting statement may be returned by hand to a polling station, persons aged 18 or over returning such a document by hand;

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(e) where regulations contain provision made by virtue of paragraph 12ZA of Schedule 2 (handing in postal voting documents), the postal ballot paper is not one that falls to be rejected in accordance with that provision.

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(a) it is returned in the prescribed manner, accompanied by the declaration of identity duly signed and authenticated, and reaches the returning officer before the close of the poll,

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(c) where regulations contain provision made by virtue of paragraph 12ZB of Schedule 2 (handing in postal voting documents: Northern Ireland), the postal ballot paper is not one that falls to be rejected in accordance with that provision.

(12ZA) (1) Where regulations under rule 45(1B)(a) or (b) in Schedule 1 provide that a postal voting document may be returned by hand to a polling station or to the returning officer, provision within this paragraph. (2) Provision— (a) requiring a person who seeks to hand in a postal voting document to complete a form containing prescribed information, (b) requiring a relevant officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person who fails to provide all the prescribed information on such a form, and (c) about the arrangements to be made in respect of such forms. (3) Provision requiring a relevant officer— (a) to reject all postal voting documents handed in together by a person where the relevant officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the documents are handed in on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors; (b) to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person, or all postal voting documents handed in together by a person, on a particular occasion, where the relevant officer has reasonable cause to suspect that, taking that document or those documents together with any postal voting documents handed in by the person on any previous occasion (disregarding any that were rejected), the person has handed in postal voting documents on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors. (4) In sub-paragraph (3)— (a) references to postal voting documents handed in by a person are to postal voting documents— (i) all relating to the same election, or (ii) where more than one poll is to be taken on a day, each of which relates to an election the poll at which is to be taken on that day, but do not include references to a postal voting document issued to that person; (b) “electors” means persons who are electors in relation to an election to which any of the postal voting documents handed in by the person relates. (5) Provision authorising a relevant officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person where the relevant officer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that, in handing in the document, the person commits an offence under section 112A (offences relating to handling of postal voting documents). (6) Provision as to the arrangements to be made in respect of the documents mentioned in sub-paragraph (7), including provision about— (a) the procedure to be followed in respect of those documents; (b) storage of those documents; (c) disposal of those documents; (d) transfer of those documents to— (i) the returning officer; (ii) the registration officer. (7) The documents are— (a) a postal voting document that is rejected; (b) a postal voting document that— (i) is brought into a polling station or into the offices of the returning officer so that it may be handed in to a person, but (ii) is left behind there (without being handed in). (8) Provision requiring prescribed information about postal voting documents that are handed in, or about the documents mentioned in sub-paragraph (7), to be supplied to— (a) the returning officer; (b) the registration officer. (9) Provision about the notification of the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (10) where a postal ballot paper is— (a) rejected, or (b) left behind as mentioned in sub-paragraph (7)(b). (10) The persons are— (a) the person whose ballot paper it is; (b) where that person is a proxy— (i) that person, and (ii) the elector for whom the person voted as proxy on that paper. (11) Provision as to the meaning of any reference in the regulations to— (a) a person seeking to hand in a postal voting document; (b) a postal voting document being handed in. (12) In this paragraph— - “postal voting document” means a postal ballot paper, postal voting statement or other document that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a relevant election; - “rejected” means rejected in accordance with regulations made by virtue of this paragraph; - “relevant election” means— a parliamentary election in England and Wales or Scotland, or a local government election in England; - “relevant officer” means— where a postal voting document is handed in at a polling station— the person presiding at the polling station, or a clerk at the polling station; where a postal voting document is handed in to the returning officer— that officer, or a person acting under the authority of that officer. (12ZB) (1) Where regulations under rule 45(2)(a) in Schedule 1 provide that a postal voting document may be returned by hand to the returning officer, provision within this paragraph. (2) Provision— (a) requiring a person who seeks to hand in a postal voting document to complete a form containing prescribed information, (b) requiring the returning officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person who fails to provide all the prescribed information on such a form, and (c) about the arrangements to be made in respect of such forms. (3) Provision requiring the returning officer— (a) to reject all postal voting documents handed in together by a person where the returning officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the documents are handed in on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors; (b) to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person, or all postal voting documents handed in together by a person, on a particular occasion, where the returning officer has reasonable cause to suspect that, taking that document or those documents together with any postal voting documents handed in by the person on any previous occasion (disregarding any that were rejected), the person has handed in postal voting documents on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors. (4) In sub-paragraph (3)— (a) references to postal voting documents handed in by a person are to postal voting documents all relating to the same election, but do not include references to a postal voting document issued to that person; (b) “electors” means persons who are electors in relation to the election to which the postal voting documents handed in by the person relate. (5) Provision authorising the returning officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person where the returning officer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that, in handing in the document, the person commits an offence under section 112A (offences relating to handling of postal voting documents). (6) Provision as to the arrangements to be made in respect of the documents mentioned in sub-paragraph (7), including provision about— (a) the procedure to be followed in respect of those documents; (b) storage of those documents; (c) disposal of those documents. (7) The documents are— (a) a postal voting document that is rejected; (b) a postal voting document that— (i) is brought into the offices of the returning officer so that it may be handed in to a person, but (ii) is left behind there (without being handed in). (8) Provision about the notification of the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (9) where a postal ballot paper is— (a) rejected, or (b) left behind as mentioned in sub-paragraph (7)(b). (9) The persons are— (a) the person whose ballot paper it is; (b) where that person is a proxy— (i) that person, and (ii) the elector for whom the person voted as proxy on that paper. (10) Provision as to the meaning of any reference in the regulations to— (a) a person seeking to hand in a postal voting document; (b) a postal voting document being handed in. (11) In this paragraph— - “postal voting document” means a postal ballot paper, declaration of identity, or other document that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a parliamentary election in Northern Ireland; - “rejected” means rejected in accordance with regulations made by virtue of this paragraph.

Limit on number of electors for whom a proxy can vote

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Schedule 4—

(see paragraphs 6(4) and 7(2)), and

Requirement of secrecy

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(3A) No person may— (a) except for some purpose authorised by law, obtain or attempt to obtain information, or communicate at any time to any other person any information, as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of a ballot paper sent to a person for voting by post at a relevant election; (b) except for some purpose authorised by law, obtain or attempt to obtain information, or communicate at any time to any other person any information, as to the official mark on a ballot paper sent to a person for voting by post at a relevant election; (c) obtain or attempt to obtain information, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (3B), as to the candidate for whom a person voting by post at a relevant election (“V”) is about to vote or has voted; (d) communicate at any time to any other person information obtained in contravention of paragraph (c). (3B) The circumstances referred to in subsection (3A)(c) are where V is about to mark, is in the process of marking, or has just marked, a ballot paper sent to V for voting by post at the election. (3C) But— (a) a person (“E”) who is voting by proxy does not contravene subsection (3A) by obtaining or attempting to obtain from the person appointed as E’s proxy information as to a matter mentioned in paragraph (a) or (c) of that subsection that relates to E’s vote, and (b) a person who is appointed as proxy for an elector does not contravene subsection (3A) by communicating to that elector information as to a matter mentioned in paragraph (a) or (c) of that subsection that relates to that elector’s vote. (3D) Subsection (3A)(c) and (d) does not apply where the purpose (or main purpose) for which the information is sought or communicated is its use for the purposes of— (a) a published statement relating to the way in which voters intend to vote or have voted at the relevant election, or (b) a published forecast as to the result of that election which is based on information given by voters. (3E) In subsection (3D)— (a) “forecast” includes estimate; (b) “published” means made available to the public at large or to any section of the public, in whatever form and by whatever means; (c) the reference to the result of the relevant election is a reference to the result of the election either as a whole or so far as any particular candidate or candidates at the election is or are concerned. (3F) A person voting as proxy for an elector at a relevant election— (a) must not communicate at any time to any person other than that elector any information as to the candidate for whom the person is about to vote, or has voted, as proxy for that elector; (b) except for some purpose authorised by law, must not communicate at any time to any person other than that elector the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of a ballot paper sent or delivered to the person for voting as proxy for that elector.

(4A) No person having undertaken to assist a relevant voter to vote at a relevant election may communicate at any time to any person except that voter any information as to— (a) the candidate for whom the voter intends to vote or has voted, or (b) the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given for the use of the voter. (4B) In subsection (4A) “relevant voter” means a voter who is blind, has another disability, or is unable to read.

(6A) In this section, “relevant election” means— (a) a parliamentary election, or (b) an election in England under the local government Act.

(1A) In paragraph (1)(a) “relevant voter” means a voter who is blind, has another disability, or is unable to read.

Undue influence

Undue influence

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(114A) (1) A person is guilty of a corrupt practice if the person is guilty of undue influence. (2) A person (“P”) is guilty of undue influence if P carries out an activity falling within subsection (4) for the purpose of— (a) inducing or compelling a person to vote in a particular way or to refrain from voting, or (b) otherwise impeding or preventing the free exercise of the franchise of an elector or of a proxy for an elector. (3) A person (“P”) is also guilty of undue influence if P carries out an activity falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of subsection (4) on account of— (a) a person having voted in a particular way or refrained from voting, or (b) P assuming a person to have voted in a particular way or to have refrained from voting. (4) The following activities fall within this subsection— (a) using or threatening to use violence against a person; (b) damaging or destroying, or threatening to damage or destroy, a person’s property; (c) damaging or threatening to damage a person’s reputation; (d) causing or threatening to cause financial loss to a person; (e) causing spiritual injury to, or placing undue spiritual pressure on, a person; (f) doing any other act designed to intimidate a person; (g) doing any act designed to deceive a person in relation to the administration of an election. (5) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3) an activity is carried out by a person (“P”) if it is carried out— (a) by P, (b) by P jointly with one or more other persons, or (c) by one or more other persons on behalf of P and with P’s authority or consent. (6) In subsection (4)(f) and (g) “act” includes an omission (and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly). (7) This section does not have effect in relation to an election in Scotland or Wales under the local government Act.

Assistance with voting for persons with disabilities

Assistance with voting for persons with disabilities

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(b) such equipment as it is reasonable to provide for the purposes of enabling, or making it easier for, relevant persons to vote independently in the manner directed by rule 37 (including in relation to voting secretly).

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(3B) In this rule, “relevant persons” means persons who find it difficult or impossible to vote in the manner directed by rule 37 because of— (a) blindness or partial sight, or (b) another disability.

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(8) The Electoral Commission must give guidance to returning officers in relation to the duty imposed by paragraph (3A)(b). (9) Before giving guidance under paragraph (8), the Commission must consult such persons, including bodies representing the interests of relevant persons, as they consider appropriate. (10) In performing the duty imposed by paragraph (3A)(b), a returning officer must have regard to guidance given under paragraph (8).

(2AA) Subsection (2AB) applies where a report under this section relates to— (a) a parliamentary general election, (b) a parliamentary by-election, (c) an ordinary election of police and crime commissioners, (d) an election held under section 51 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (election to fill vacancy in office of police and crime commissioner), or (e) a Northern Ireland Assembly general election. (2AB) The report must include a description of the steps taken by returning officers to assist relevant persons (within the meaning of rule 29 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983) to vote at the election.

Nomination of candidates at parliamentary elections

Candidate nomination paper: commonly used names

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(2A) If a candidate— (a) commonly uses a surname that is different from any other surname the candidate has, (b) commonly uses a forename that is different from any other forename the candidate has, or (c) otherwise commonly uses one or more forenames or a surname in a different way from the way in which the candidate’s names are stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) (for example, where the commonly used names are in a different order from the names as so stated, include only some of those names, or include additional names), the nomination paper may state the commonly used name or names in addition to the names as stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a).

(2A) Where a candidate commonly uses a name or names— (a) that are different from the candidate’s full names as stated on the nomination paper, or (b) in a different way from the candidate’s full names as stated on the nomination paper, the commonly used name or names may also appear on the nomination paper; but if they do so, the commonly used name or names (instead of any other name) will appear on the ballot paper.

Home address form: statement of local authority area

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— (i) where the candidate’s home address is in the United Kingdom, state the constituency or the relevant area within which that address is situated; (ii) where the candidate’s home address is outside the United Kingdom, state the country within which that address is situated.

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(6) In paragraph (5)(b)(i), “relevant area” means— (a) in relation to a home address in England— (i) if the address is within a district for which there is a district council, that district; (ii) if the address is within a county in which there are no districts with councils, that county; (iii) if the address is within a London borough, that London borough; (iv) if the address is within the City of London (including the Inner and Middle Temples), the City of London; (v) if the address is within the Isles of Scilly, the Isles of Scilly; (b) in relation to a home address in Wales— (i) if the address is within a county, that county; (ii) if the address is within a county borough, that county borough; (c) in relation to a home address in Scotland, the local government area in which the address is situated; (d) in relation to a home address in Northern Ireland, the local government district in which the address is situated.

Northern Ireland elections

Local elections and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland

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Schedule 6 contains provision relating to local elections in Northern Ireland and elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly (including provision corresponding to provision made by this Part in relation to parliamentary elections in Northern Ireland).

Voting system for elections for certain offices

Simple majority system to be used in elections for certain offices

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Elections for Mayor of London 1 The Greater London Authority Act 1999 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (5). 2 In section 4 (voting at ordinary elections)— a in subsection (1)(a), omit “(referred to in this Part as a mayoral vote)”; b in subsection (2), omit “, unless there are three or more candidates”; c omit subsection (3). 3 In section 16 (filling a vacancy)— a in subsection (3), for “a mayoral vote” substitute “one vote which may be given for a candidate to be the Mayor”; b for subsection (4) substitute— 4 Section 4(2) (simple majority system) applies in relation to the election as it applies in relation to the election of the Mayor at an ordinary election. 4 In section 29 (interpretation of Part 1), omit the definition of “mayoral vote”. 5 In Schedule 2 (voting at elections), omit Part 1. 6 In section 165 of RPA 1983 (avoidance of election for employing corrupt agent), omit subsection (4).

Elections for elected mayors of local authorities in England 7 The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows. 8 In section 9HC (voting at elections of elected mayors)— a for subsection (1) substitute— 1 Each person entitled to vote as an elector at an election for the return of an elected mayor is to have one vote which may be given for a candidate to be the elected mayor. ; b in subsection (2), omit “, unless there are three or more candidates”; c omit subsection (3). 9 In section 9HD (entitlement to vote), in subsection (2), for “first preference vote, or more than one second preference vote,” substitute “vote”. 10 In section 9R (interpretation of Part 1A), in subsection (1), omit the definitions of “first preference vote” and “second preference vote”. 11 In Schedule 2 (election of elected mayor), in paragraph 1, after “authority” insert “in Wales”.

Elections for mayors of combined authority areas 12 Schedule 5B to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (mayors for combined authority areas: further provision about elections) is amended as follows. 13 In paragraph 4 (voting at elections of mayors)— a for sub-paragraph (1) substitute— 1 Each person entitled to vote as an elector at an election for the return of a mayor is to have one vote which may be given for a candidate to be the mayor. ; b in sub-paragraph (2), omit “, unless there are three or more candidates”; c omit sub-paragraph (3). 14 Omit paragraph 5. 15 In paragraph 6 (entitlement to vote), in sub-paragraph (2), for “first preference vote, or more than one second preference vote,” substitute “vote”.

Elections for police and crime commissioners 16 The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 is amended as follows. 17 In section 57 (voting at elections of police and crime commissioners)— a in subsection (2), omit “, unless there are three or more candidates”; b omit subsections (3) to (5). 18 Omit Schedule 9.

Part 2 — Overseas electors and EU citizens

Overseas electors

Extension of franchise for parliamentary elections: British citizens overseas

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(1) (1) A person is entitled to vote as an elector at a parliamentary election in a constituency if— (a) on the declaration date, the person— (i) qualifies as an overseas elector in respect of that constituency (see section 1A), (ii) is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote (age apart), and (iii) is a British citizen, and (b) on the date of the poll, the person— (i) is not subject to any legal incapacity to vote, (ii) is a British citizen, and (iii) is registered in a register of parliamentary electors for that constituency. (2) In this section, “the declaration date” means— (a) the date on which the person makes a declaration under and in accordance with section 1C (overseas elector’s declaration), or (b) where the person makes a declaration under and in accordance with section 1E (renewal declaration), the date on which the person makes the declaration. (1A) (1) For the purposes of this Act and the principal Act, a person qualifies as an overseas elector in respect of a constituency on the declaration date if— (a) on that date the person is not resident in the United Kingdom, and (b) the person satisfies the previous registration condition or the previous residence condition. (2) A person satisfies the previous registration condition if— (a) the person has at some time in the past been entered in an electoral register in respect of an address at a place that is situated within the constituency, and (b) subsequent to that entry ceasing to have effect, the person has not been included in any electoral register (whether in respect of the address mentioned in paragraph (a) or any other address). (3) A person satisfies the previous residence condition if— (a) the person has at some time in the past been resident in the United Kingdom, (b) on the last day on which the person was resident in the United Kingdom, the person— (i) was resident at an address at a place that is situated within the constituency, or (ii) was not so resident but could have made a declaration under section 7B of the principal Act (a “declaration of local connection”) in respect of such an address, and (c) subject to section 1B(4), the person has not at any time been included in any electoral register (whether in respect of the address mentioned in paragraph (b) or any other address). (4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(b)(ii), it is to be assumed that section 7B of the principal Act was in force on the last day on which the person was resident in the United Kingdom. (5) In this section— - “declaration date” has the same meaning as in section 1; - “electoral register” means— a register of parliamentary electors, or a register of local government electors (including a register of electors prepared for the purposes of local elections (within the meaning of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962)). (1B) (1) A person is entitled to be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of a declaration made by the person under and in accordance with section 1C (an “overseas elector’s declaration”) if the following two conditions are satisfied. (2) The first condition is that the register is for the constituency or part of the constituency within which is situated the place of the address specified in the declaration by virtue of— (a) section 1C(2)(a) (where the person is seeking to be registered in reliance on the previous registration condition), or (b) section 1C(3)(a) or (4) (where the person is seeking to be registered in reliance on the previous residence condition). (3) The second condition is that the registration officer concerned is satisfied that, on the date on which the person makes the declaration, the person qualifies as an overseas elector in respect of the constituency. (4) Where— (a) a person applies to be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in reliance on the previous residence condition, and (b) the registration officer concerned considers that insufficient evidence is available for the purpose of determining whether the person has at any time been included in any electoral register (within the meaning of section 1A), the officer may disregard section 1A(3)(c) in determining whether the person satisfies the previous residence condition. (5) An overseas elector’s declaration made by a person is of no effect unless received by the registration officer concerned within the period of 3 months beginning with the date on which the person makes the declaration. (6) For the purposes of section 1A, where a person is registered in a register of parliamentary electors for a constituency or part of a constituency in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, it is to be conclusively presumed that the person was not resident in the United Kingdom on the date on which the person made the declaration. (7) See also sections 10ZC and 10A of the principal Act, which (among other things) contain provision about the making of applications for registration. (1C) (1) An overseas elector’s declaration must— (a) give the full name of the person making the declaration (“the declarant”), (b) state the date of the declaration, (c) state that the declarant is a British citizen, (d) state that the declarant is not resident in the United Kingdom on the date of the declaration, (e) state whether the declarant is seeking to be registered in reliance on the previous registration condition or the previous residence condition, (f) contain any other prescribed information and satisfy any other prescribed requirements (which may include requirements for the declaration to be attested), and (g) state that the declarant believes the matters stated in the declaration to be true. (2) Where the declarant is seeking to be registered in reliance on the previous registration condition, the declaration must also— (a) specify— (i) the address in the United Kingdom in respect of which the declarant was included in an electoral register, and (ii) when the declarant was last included in such a register in respect of that address, and (b) state that since the declarant’s entry in that register in respect of that address ceased to have effect, the declarant has not been included in any electoral register (whether in respect of that or any other address). (3) Where the declarant is seeking to be registered in reliance on the previous residence condition by virtue of section 1A(3)(b)(i), the declaration must also— (a) specify— (i) the address in the United Kingdom at which the declarant was resident, and (ii) when the declarant was last resident at that address, and (b) state that since being resident at that address, the declarant has not been resident at any other address in the United Kingdom. (4) Where the declarant is seeking to be registered in reliance on the previous residence condition by virtue of section 1A(3)(b)(ii), the declaration must also specify an address in respect of which the declarant could have made a declaration of local connection on the last day on which the declarant was resident in the United Kingdom. (5) An overseas elector’s declaration that specifies an address in Northern Ireland under subsection (2)(a), (3)(a) or (4) may, instead of or in addition to including a statement under subsection (1)(c), state that the declarant is an Irish citizen who— (a) was born in Northern Ireland, and (b) qualifies as a British citizen (whether or not the declarant identifies as such). (6) If the declarant— (a) makes an overseas elector’s declaration that specifies more than one address under subsection (2)(a), (3)(a) or (4), or (b) makes two or more overseas elector’s declarations that bear the same date and specify different addresses in the United Kingdom under subsection (2)(a), (3)(a) or (4), the declaration or declarations are void. (7) The declarant may at any time cancel an overseas elector’s declaration made by the declarant. (8) In this section— - “electoral register” has the same meaning as in section 1A; - “registered” means registered in a register of parliamentary electors. (9) A person found abandoned in Northern Ireland as a new-born infant is, unless the contrary is shown, deemed for the purposes of subsection (5) to have been born in Northern Ireland. (1D) (1) Where a person is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, the person is entitled to remain so registered until— (a) the third 1 November following the date when the person’s entry on the register first takes effect (subject to any extension under subsections (2) and (3)), or (b) if sooner, the occurrence of an event mentioned in subsection (4). (2) Subsection (3) applies if— (a) at any time during the 6 months ending with the last day of the initial registration period or of any further registration period, the registration officer concerned receives a declaration made by the person under and in accordance with section 1E (a “renewal declaration”), and (b) the registration officer is satisfied that, on the date on which the person makes the renewal declaration, the person is entitled to remain registered in the register in pursuance of the overseas elector’s declaration. (3) The person is entitled to remain registered in the register in pursuance of the overseas elector’s declaration until— (a) the third 1 November following the day after the last day of the initial registration period or of the further registration period in question (subject to any further extension), or (b) if sooner, the occurrence of an event specified in subsection (4). (4) The events referred to in subsections (1)(b) and (3)(b) are— (a) the registration officer determines in accordance with regulations that the person was not entitled to be registered or to remain registered (as the case may be); (b) the registration officer determines in accordance with regulations— (i) that the person was registered as the result of an application under section 10ZC or 10A(1) of the principal Act made by some other person, or (ii) that the person’s entry has been altered as the result of an application under section 10ZD or 10A(4) of that Act made by some other person; (c) the overseas elector’s declaration is cancelled (see section 1C(7)); (d) another entry made in respect of the person in any electoral register takes effect (in the case of a register of parliamentary electors, whether or not in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration). (5) A renewal declaration made by a person is of no effect unless received by the registration officer concerned within the period of 3 months beginning with the date on which the person makes the declaration. (6) In this section— - “electoral register” has the same meaning as in section 1A; - “initial registration period” means the period for which the person is entitled by virtue of subsection (1)(a) to remain registered; - “further registration period” means a period for which the person is entitled by virtue of subsection (3)(a) to remain registered. (7) Where a person is entitled to remain registered in a register of parliamentary electors for a constituency or part of a constituency by virtue of subsections (2) and (3), it is to be conclusively presumed for the purposes of section 1A that the person was not resident in the United Kingdom on the date on which the person made the renewal declaration in question. (8) Where a person’s entitlement to remain registered in a register of parliamentary electors terminates by virtue of subsection (1) or (3), the registration officer concerned must remove the person’s entry from the register. (1E) (1) A renewal declaration must— (a) give the full name and date of birth of the person making the declaration (“the declarant”), (b) state the date of the declaration, (c) state that the declarant is a British citizen, (d) state that the declarant is not resident in the United Kingdom on the date of the declaration, (e) contain any other prescribed information and satisfy any other prescribed requirements, and (f) state that the declarant believes the matters stated in the declaration to be true. (2) A renewal declaration must also— (a) specify the address in respect of which the declarant is registered, and (b) state that since the declarant was registered in respect of that address, no other entry has been made in respect of the declarant in any electoral register (whether in respect of the address mentioned in paragraph (a) or any other address). (3) A renewal declaration that specifies an address in Northern Ireland under subsection (2)(a) may, instead of or in addition to the statement under subsection (1)(c), state that the declarant is an Irish citizen who— (a) was born in Northern Ireland, and (b) qualifies as a British citizen (whether or not the declarant identifies as such), (and section 1C(9) applies as it applies for the purposes ofsection 1C(5)). (4) If the declarant— (a) makes a renewal declaration that specifies more than one address under subsection (2)(a), or (b) makes two or more renewal declarations that bear the same date and specify different addresses under subsection (2)(a), the declaration or declarations are void. (5) In this section— - “electoral register” has the same meaning as in section 1A; - “registered” means registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration.

Voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens

Voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens

15

Schedule 8 makes provision about voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens in relation to local elections in England and certain other elections.

Part 3 — The Electoral Commission

Strategy and policy statement

Strategy and policy statement

16

After section 4 of PPERA insert—

(4A) (1) The Secretary of State may designate a statement for the purposes of this section if the requirements set out in section 4C (consultation and procedural requirements) are satisfied. (2) The statement is a statement prepared by the Secretary of State that sets out— (a) strategic and policy priorities of Her Majesty’s government relating to elections, referendums and other matters in respect of which the Commission have functions, and (b) the role and responsibilities of the Commission in enabling Her Majesty’s government to meet those priorities. (3) The statement may also set out— (a) guidance relating to particular matters in respect of which the Commission have functions; (b) any other information (for example, about the roles and responsibilities of other persons) the Secretary of State considers appropriate. (4) In preparing the statement, the Secretary of State must have regard to the duties imposed on the Commission by section 145(1) (duties with respect to compliance with controls imposed by this Act). (5) The statement must not contain provision about the carrying out by the Commission of their functions under Schedule 19B (investigatory powers) or Schedule 19C (civil sanctions) in relation to a particular person. (6) The statement must not include provision in relation to elections, referendums and other matters so far as the provision would relate to the Commission’s devolved Scottish functions or the Commission’s devolved Welsh functions. (7) A statement designated under this section must be published in whatever manner the Secretary of State considers appropriate. (8) For the purposes of subsection (6)— (a) the Commission’s “devolved Scottish functions” are the Commission’s functions in relation to— (i) Scottish Parliamentary general elections, elections held under section 9 of the Scotland Act 1998 (constituency vacancies), and local government elections in Scotland, so far as those functions do not relate to reserved matters within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998, and (ii) referendums held throughout Scotland in pursuance of provision made by or under an Act of the Scottish Parliament; (b) the Commission’s “devolved Welsh functions” are the Commission’s functions in relation to— (i) general elections of members of Senedd Cymru, (ii) elections held under section 10 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (elections for Senedd constituency vacancies), (iii) local government elections in Wales, and (iv) referendums held under Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 or Part 4 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 (referendums relating to local authority executive arrangements), so far as those functions do not relate to reserved matters within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 2006. (4B) (1) This section applies where a statement has been designated under section 4A. (2) The Commission must have regard to the statement when carrying out their functions. (3) Subsection (2)does not apply to information contained in the statement by virtue of section 4A(3)(b). (4) The Commission must publish a report, as soon as practicable after the end of— (a) the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the statement was first designated under section 4A, and (b) every subsequent 12-month period, on what they have done during the period in question in consequence of the statement. (5) Where, before the end of a reporting period, the statement is designated by virtue of section 4D (5-yearly review) or section 4E (power to revise statement)— (a) the Commission are not required to publish a report under subsection (4) in relation to the reporting period, and (b) subsection (4) has effect as if the reference in paragraph (a) to the day on which the statement was first designated under section 4A were to the day on which the statement was last designated under that section by virtue of section 4D or 4E. (6) “Reporting period” means a period in relation to which a report is required to be published under subsection (4). (7) The duty under subsection (4) does not apply in relation to a 12-month period if before the end of that period the statement’s designation is withdrawn under section 4D(4)(c) or treated as withdrawn under section 4D(5)(b). (8) The Commission must provide a copy of each report published under subsection (4) to the Speaker’s Committee. (4C) (1) This section sets out the requirements that must be satisfied before the Secretary of State may designate a statement under section 4A. (2) The Secretary of State must consult the following on a draft of the statement— (a) the Commission, (b) the Speaker’s Committee, and (c) the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee. (3) After the Secretary of State has carried out the consultation required by subsection (2), the Secretary of State— (a) must make whatever changes to the draft the Secretary of State considers necessary in light of responses to the consultation, and (b) must prepare a report containing the Secretary of State’s response to the consultation. (4) If, after complying with subsection (3), the Secretary of State proposes to designate the statement, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a document that— (a) explains the Secretary of State’s proposals, (b) sets them out in the form of a draft statement, and (c) contains the report prepared under subsection (3)(b). (5) Where a document is laid before Parliament under subsection (4), no draft of the statement that the Secretary of State proposes to designate is to be laid before Parliament before the end of the 60-day period. (6) In preparing a draft statement for laying before Parliament, the Secretary of State must consider any representations made during the 60-day period in relation to anything in the document laid under subsection (4). (7) If, after the end of the 60-day period, the Secretary of State wishes to proceed with designating the statement, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament— (a) the draft statement (incorporating any changes made in light of any representations made as mentioned in subsection (6)), and (b) a report containing the Secretary of State’s response to any such representations. (8) The draft as laid under subsection (7) must, before the end of the 40-day period, have been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament before the Secretary of State may designate the statement under section 4A. (9) In this section— (a) “the 40-day period” means the period of 40 days beginning on the day on which the draft is laid before Parliament (or, if it is not laid before each House of Parliament on the same day, the later of the days on which it is laid); (b) “the 60-day period” means the period of 60 days beginning on the day on which the document mentioned in subsection (4) is laid before Parliament (or, if it is not laid before each House of Parliament on the same day, the later of the days on which it is laid). (10) When calculating the 40-day period or the 60-day period for the purposes of subsection (9)(a) or (b) respectively, ignore any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than 4 days. (11) If the name of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee is changed, the reference in subsection (2)(c) to that Committee is to be read (subject to subsection (12)) as a reference to the Committee by its new name. (12) If the functions of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee at the passing of this Act with respect to electoral matters (or functions corresponding substantially to such matters) become functions of a different committee of the House of Commons, the reference in subsection (2)(c) to that Committee is to be read as a reference to the committee which for the time being has those functions. (4D) (1) The Secretary of State must review a statement designated under section 4A if a period of 5 years has elapsed since— (a) the time when the statement was first designated under section 4A, or (b) if later, the time when the statement was last designated under that section by virtue of this section or section 4E. (2) But where— (a) the statement was last designated by virtue of section 4E, and (b) the case was one in which the Secretary of State made a determination under section 4E(5) (disapplication of consultation and other pre-designation requirements on revision of statement), the designation of the statement in that case is to be ignored in determining for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) when the statement was last designated. (3) A review under subsection (1) must take place as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the 5-year period referred to in that subsection. (4) After reviewing the statement, the Secretary of State may— (a) revise the statement, (b) leave the statement as it is, or (c) withdraw the statement’s designation under section 4A. (5) Where the Secretary of State proceeds under subsection (4)(a) or (b)— (a) the Secretary of State must designate the statement (whether or not revised) under section 4A(1); (b) if the statement is not designated before the end of the review period, the designation of the statement (in the form reviewed under subsection (1)) is treated as withdrawn at the end of that period. (6) “The review period” means the 12 months beginning with the end of the 5-year period referred to in subsection (1). (7) Sections 4A(2) to (7) and 4C apply in relation to the statement and its designation in accordance with subsection (5)(a) as they apply in relation to the original statement. (4E) (1) The Secretary of State may revise a statement designated under section 4A otherwise than in consequence of a review under section 4D. (2) The power under subsection (1) may be exercised— (a) on the Secretary of State’s own initiative, (b) at the request of the Commission, where the request— (i) is made by notice given to the Secretary of State and the Speaker’s Committee, and (ii) gives details of the changes to the statement that the Commission propose should be made, or (c) at the request of the Speaker’s Committee, where the request— (i) is made by notice given to the Secretary of State, and (ii) gives details of the changes to the statement that the Speaker’s Committee propose should be made. (3) Where a request is made in accordance with subsection (2)(b) or (c), the Secretary of State must inform the Commission or the Speaker’s Committee (as the case may be) how the Secretary of State proposes to deal with the request. (4) Where the Secretary of State revises the statement under subsection (1)— (a) the Secretary of State must designate the revised statement under section 4A(1), and (b) subject to subsection (5), sections 4A(2) to (7) and 4C apply to the revised statement and its designation in accordance with paragraph (a) as they apply to the original statement. (5) The Secretary of State may determine in a particular case that section 4C(2) to (6) (consultation and pre-designation requirements) does not apply in relation to the revised statement. (6) Before making a determination under subsection (5), the Secretary of State— (a) must give notice to the Speaker’s Committee of the proposed determination (giving details of the revisions to the statement), and (b) must consider any representations made by the Speaker’s Committee in response to the notice. (7) Where the Secretary of State makes a determination under subsection (5), the Secretary of State must notify the following of the revisions to the statement— (a) the Commission, (b) the Speaker’s Committee, and (c) the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, and section 4C(11) and (12) apply for the purposes of paragraph (c) as they apply for the purposes of section 4C(2)(c). (8) Subsection (9) applies where the Secretary of State makes a determination under subsection (5) despite the Speaker’s Committee objecting to the proposed determination. (9) When laying the revised statement before Parliament in accordance with section 4C(7)(a), the Secretary of State must also lay before Parliament a statement of the Secretary of State’s reasons for the determination. (10) For the purposes of this section, corrections of clerical or typographical errors do not count as a revision of the statement.

Examination of duty to have regard to strategy and policy statement

17

(13ZA) (1) The Speaker’s Committee may examine the performance by the Commission of the Commission’s duty under section 4B(2) (duty to have regard to strategy and policy statement). (2) The Speaker’s Committee may require the Commission to provide the Committee with information that— (a) the Committee require for the purposes of enabling them to exercise their power under subsection (1), and (b) is held by the Commission. (3) The Commission— (a) must as soon as is reasonably practicable provide the Speaker’s Committee with information required under subsection (2), and (b) must provide the information in such form as the Committee may reasonably require. (4) A requirement imposed on the Commission under subsection (2) does not require the Commission to provide information that, in their opinion, might adversely affect any current investigation or proceedings. (5) Except as provided by subsection (6), the disclosure of information pursuant to a requirement imposed under subsection (2) does not breach— (a) any obligation of confidence owed by the Commission, or (b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed). (6) A requirement imposed on the Commission under subsection (2) does not require them to disclose information if to do so would contravene the data protection legislation (but, in determining whether a disclosure would do so, the requirement imposed on the Commission is to be taken into account). (7) In subsection (6), “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3(9) of that Act).

(4) (1) Evidence given by a person who is a witness before the Speaker’s Committee may not be used against the person in any civil or disciplinary proceedings, or in any criminal proceedings, unless the evidence was given in bad faith. (2) For the purposes of the law of defamation the publication by the Speaker’s Committee of any evidence given by a person who is a witness before the Speaker’s Committee is absolutely privileged.

Membership of the Speaker’s Committee

Membership of the Speaker’s Committee

18

(2A) The functions of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities under subsection (2)(b) are exercisable concurrently with any Member of the House of Commons who— (a) is a Minister of the Crown, and (b) is appointed to membership of the Committee by the Prime Minister in order to carry out those functions concurrently with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

(1A) The reference in sub-paragraph (1)(c) to the member who is the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities does not include any member appointed under section 2(2A).

Criminal proceedings

Criminal proceedings

19

(2) The Commission may not— (a) borrow money; (b) institute criminal proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

Part 4 — Regulation of expenditure

Notional expenditure of candidates and others

Notional expenditure: use of property etc on behalf of candidates and others

20

(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), except as it applies in relation to an election in Scotland or Wales under the local government Act, property, goods, services or facilities are made use of on behalf of a candidate only if their use on behalf of the candidate is directed, authorised or encouraged by the candidate or the candidate’s election agent.

(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), as it applies for the purposes of a period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 9 (periods involving parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), property, services or facilities are made use of on behalf of a registered party only if their use on behalf of the party is directed, authorised or encouraged by— (a) the party, or (b) the treasurer or a deputy treasurer appointed under section 74.

;

(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), as it applies for the purposes of a period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (periods involving parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), property, services or facilities are made use of on behalf of a third party only if their use on behalf of the third party is directed, authorised or encouraged by the third party or (where the third party is a recognised third party and is not an individual) by the third party or the responsible person.

(8A) Where the period is one in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (periods involving parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), property, services or facilities are made use of on behalf of a third party for the purposes of subsection (8)(b) only if their use on behalf of the third party is directed, authorised or encouraged by the third party or (where the third party is a recognised third party and is not an individual) by the third party or the responsible person.

(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), property, services or facilities are made use of on behalf of an individual or body only if their use on behalf of the individual or body is directed, authorised or encouraged by the individual or body or (where the individual or body is a permitted participant) by the individual or body or the responsible person.

(3A) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3), property, services or facilities are made use of on behalf of P only if their use on behalf of P is directed, authorised or encouraged by P or (where P is an accredited campaigner) by P or the responsible person.

(1A) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), property, goods, services or facilities are made use of on behalf of a candidate only if their use on behalf of the candidate is directed, authorised or encouraged by the candidate or the candidate’s election agent.

Codes of practice on expenses

21

(c) guidance relating to the application of Part 2 of this Act in relation to expenses incurred for the purposes of a candidate’s election (whether or not election expenses).

;

(aa) any order under paragraph 3(7) of Schedule 8, other than an order of the Welsh Ministers;

.

Authorised persons not required to pay expenses through election agent

22

(ca) any expenses incurred, otherwise than in relation to an election in Wales under the local government Act, on account of any matter falling within section 75(1) by a person authorised as mentioned in that provision; or

.

(ca) any expenses incurred on account of any matter falling within section 41(1) by a person authorised as mentioned in that provision;

.

Registration of parties etc

Declaration of assets and liabilities to be provided on application for registration

23

, and (c) (subject to subsection (3E)) is accompanied by a declaration falling within subsection (3B).

(3B) The declarations falling within this subsection are— (a) a declaration that, to the best of the proposed registered treasurer’s knowledge and belief, the assets/liabilities condition is met in relation to the party; (b) a declaration that, to the best of the proposed registered treasurer’s knowledge and belief, the assets/liabilities condition is not met in relation to the party. (3C) The assets/liabilities condition is met in relation to a party if— (a) the total value of the party’s assets does not exceed £500, and (b) the total amount of the party’s liabilities does not exceed £500. (3D) A declaration within subsection (3B)(b) must be accompanied by a record of the party’s assets and liabilities; and that record must comply with such requirements as to its form and contents as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commission. (3E) Subsection (1)(c) does not apply to an application under this section made in pursuance of a declaration falling within subsection (2)(d) (and subsections (3D)and (8A) to (8C) are accordingly to be disregarded in relation to such an application).

(8A) Subsections (8B) and (8C) apply where— (a) the Commission grant an application by a party under this section, and (b) the application was accompanied by a declaration within subsection (3B)(b). (8B) The Commission must ensure that the party’s entry in the register is marked so as to indicate that its application was accompanied by a declaration within subsection (3B)(b). (8C) The Commission must— (a) as soon as reasonably practicable after granting the application, make a copy of the record of assets and liabilities provided by the party under subsection (3D) available for public inspection, and (b) keep the copy available for public inspection for such period as the Commission think fit.

Prohibition on entities being registered political parties and recognised third parties at same time

24

(7A) A party may not make an application under this section at any time when the party is also a recognised third party for the purposes of Part 6 (see section 85(5)).

Section 24: transitional provision

25

Controlled expenditure etc

Restriction on which third parties may incur controlled expenditure

26

(89A) (1) No amount of controlled expenditure may be incurred by or on behalf of a third party during a reserved regulated period unless the third party— (a) falls within any paragraph of section 88(2) (third parties eligible to give notification), or (b) is an unincorporated association with the requisite UK connection. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any expenses incurred by or on behalf of a third party during a reserved regulated period which do not in total exceed £700. (3) Subsections (4) and (5) apply where expenses are incurred by or on behalf of a third party in contravention of subsection (1). (4) If the third party is not an individual— (a) any person who authorised the expenses to be incurred by or on behalf of the third party is guilty of an offence if the person knew or ought reasonably to have known that the expenses would be incurred in contravention of subsection (1), and (b) the third party is also guilty of an offence. (5) If the third party is an individual, the individual is guilty of an offence if they knew or ought reasonably to have known that the expenses would be incurred in contravention of subsection (1). (6) An unincorporated association has “the requisite UK connection” if it consists of two or more persons both or all of whom are registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1C of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (overseas elector’s declaration). (7) In this section— - “register of parliamentary electors” means a register of parliamentary electors maintained under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; - “reserved regulated period” means a period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (periods involving parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly).

Section 89A(4) or (5) (incurring controlled expenditure in contravention of section 89A(1)) On summary conviction in England and Wales: fine
Section 89A(4) or (5) (incurring controlled expenditure in contravention of section 89A(1)) On summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland: statutory maximum
Section 89A(4) or (5) (incurring controlled expenditure in contravention of section 89A(1)) On indictment: fine

.

Third parties capable of giving notification for purposes of Part 6 of PPERA

27

(9) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (2), as it applies for the purposes of a period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (periods involving parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), by— (a) adding a description of third party to the list in that subsection, (b) removing a description of third party from that list, or (c) varying the description of a third party in that list. (10) An order under subsection (9)(b) or (c) may be made only where the order gives effect to a recommendation of the Commission.

(de) section 88(9),

.

Recognised third parties: changes to existing limits etc

28

(5B) “The lower-tier expenditure limits”, in relation to controlled expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party, means the limits specified in section 94(5) (limits on controlled expenditure incurred in a part of the UK); and a recognised third party is subject to those limits if the notification given by the third party under section 88(1), as it has effect for the time being, contains a statement within section 88(3D).

(3D) A notification given under subsection (1) by a third party so as to be subject to the lower-tier expenditure limits must contain a statement to that effect.

(6A) In a case where the original notification, as it has effect for the time being, contains a statement within subsection (3D), the renewal notification must either— (a) confirm that the statement is to continue to have effect, or (b) indicate that the statement is withdrawn.

(a) any statement within subsection (3) that is contained in the original notification, as it has effect for the time being, is replaced by some other statement conforming with that subsection that is contained in the notification of alteration, or (b) any statement within subsection (3D) that is contained in the original notification, as it has effect for the time being, is withdrawn.

any of the following sub-paragraphs applies— (ai) during a regulated period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (periods involving parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), any controlled expenditure is incurred by or on behalf of a third party in excess of £10,000;

;

(b) the third party— (i) in a case within paragraph (a)(ai) or (ii), is not a recognised third party; (ii) in a case within paragraph (a)(i), is not a recognised third party or, where the regulated period is one in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10, is a recognised third party but is subject to the lower-tier expenditure limits.

(4ZA) In its application to a case within subsection (3)(a)(i) where the third party is a recognised third party that is subject to the lower-tier expenditure limits, the reference in subsection (4)(a)(i) to any person who authorised the expenditure to be incurred is to be read as a reference to the responsible person.

(10A) Where an offence under subsection (4) is committed in the case of a recognised third party that is subject to the lower-tier expenditure limits— (a) the third party ceases to be subject to those limits at the time the offence is committed, and (b) this Part then applies to the third party as if the notification under section 88(1) which is for the time being in force in relation to the third party did not contain a statement under section 88(3D).

(5A) A recognised third party that is subject to the lower-tier expenditure limits may not send a notice under subsection (1).

Provision of PPERA Number of inserted subsection
Section 91(4) (restriction on payments in respect of controlled expenditure) (4A)
Section 92(7) (restriction on making claims in respect of controlled expenditure) (7A)
Section 95A(10) (quarterly donation reports) (10A)
Section 95B(10) (weekly donation reports during general election periods) (10A)
Section 95D(7) (forfeiture) (8)
Section 96(8) (returns as to controlled expenditure) (9)

Code of practice on controls relating to third parties

29

(100A) (1) The Commission must prepare a code of practice about the operation of this Part in relation to a reserved regulated period. (2) The code must in particular set out— (a) guidance on the kinds of expenses which do, or do not, fall within Part 1 of Schedule 8A (qualifying expenses); (b) guidance on determining whether the condition in section 85(2)(b) (promoting or procuring electoral success) is met in relation to expenditure; (c) guidance on determining whether anything provided to or for the use of a third party falls to be dealt with in accordance with section 86 (notional controlled expenditure) or with section 95 and Schedule 11 (donations); (d) examples of when expenditure falls to be dealt with in accordance with section 94(6) (expenditure of a third party in pursuance of an arrangement with one or more other third parties); (e) guidance about the operation of sections 94D to 94H (targeted controlled expenditure). (3) The Commission may from time to time revise the code. (4) In exercising their functions under this Part, the Commission must have regard to the code. (5) It is a defence for a third party charged with an offence under any provision of this Part, where the offence relates to expenditure incurred or treated as incurred by a third party during a reserved regulated period, to show— (a) that the code, in the form for the time being issued under section 100B, was complied with by the third party in determining whether the expenditure is controlled expenditure for the purposes of this Part, and (b) that the offence would not have been committed on the basis of the controlled expenditure as determined in accordance with the code. (6) In this section, “reserved regulated period” means a period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (regulated periods for parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly). (7) Section 100B sets out consultation and procedural requirements relating to the code or any revised code. (100B) (1) The Commission must consult the following on a draft of a code under section 100A— (a) the Speaker’s Committee; (b) the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee; (c) such other persons as the Commission consider appropriate. (2) After the Commission have carried out the consultation required by subsection (1), they must— (a) make whatever modifications to the draft code the Commission consider necessary in light of responses to the consultation, and (b) submit the draft to the Secretary of State for approval by the Secretary of State. (3) The Secretary of State may approve a draft code either without modifications or with such modifications as the Secretary of State may determine. (4) Once the Secretary of State has approved a draft code, the Secretary of State must lay before each House of Parliament a copy of the draft, whether— (a) in its original form, or (b) in a form which incorporates any modifications determined under subsection (3). (5) If the draft code incorporates any such modifications, the Secretary of State must at the same time lay before each House a statement of the Secretary of State’s reasons for making them. (6) If, within the 40-day period, either House resolves not to approve the draft, the Secretary of State must take no further steps in relation to the draft code. (7) Subsection (6) does not prevent a new draft code from being laid before Parliament. (8) If no resolution of the kind mentioned in subsection (6) is made within the 40-day period— (a) the Secretary of State must issue the code in the form of the draft laid before Parliament, (b) the Commission must arrange for the code to be published in such manner as they consider appropriate, and (c) the code comes into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint. (9) References in this section (other than in subsection (1)) to a code or draft code include a revised code or draft revised code. (10) In this section, “the 40-day period”, in relation to a draft code, means— (a) if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of 40 days beginning with the later of the two days, and (b) in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House, no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days. (11) If the name of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee is changed, the reference in subsection (1)(b) to that Committee is to be read (subject to subsection (12)) as a reference to the Committee by its new name. (12) If the functions of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee at the passing of this Act with respect to electoral matters (or functions corresponding substantially to such matters) become functions of a different committee of the House of Commons, the reference in subsection (1)(b) to that Committee is to be read as a reference to the committee which for the time being has those functions.

(za) an order under section 100B(8);

(11) This paragraph does not apply in relation to expenses incurred during a period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (regulated periods for parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly) (see sections 100A and 100B as regards expenses incurred during such a period).

Part 5 — Disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc

Disqualification orders

30

it is to be taken for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) to have been committed on the last of those days.

Vacation of office etc

31

the determination of the appeal does not entitle the person to resume that office.

Candidates etc

32

Holders of relevant elective offices

33

Campaigners

34

Election etc of a person to the House of Commons who is subject to a disqualification order

35

(6) In this section, a reference to disqualification by this Act includes a reference to disqualification by virtue of an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc).

Power to amend Schedule 9

36

Interpretation of Part

37

Minor and consequential amendments

38

Schedule 10 contains minor and consequential amendments.

Part 6 — Information to be included with electronic material

Definitions

Definitions relating to electronic material and publication

39

Definitions relating to parties etc

40

Requirements

Requirement to include information with electronic material

41

Electronic material to which section 41 applies: paid-for material

42

Purposes referred to in section 42

43

Electronic material to which section 41 applies: other electronic material

44

Purposes referred to in section 44

45

Electronic material relating to more than one candidate or future candidate

46

Exceptions to section 41

47

as a result of which its previous publication complied with section 41.

Enforcement

Offence of breaching section 41

48

as a result of which the person reasonably believed its previous publication complied with section 41.

Order to take down electronic material in breach of section 41

49

Enforcement by the Commission

50

Notice to take down electronic material in breach of section 41

51

Further provision about notice under section 51

52

Supply of information

53

Supplementary

Guidance

54

no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

Information in Commission’s annual report

55

Notices

56

Proceedings for an offence under this Part

57

Offences committed by bodies corporate

58

that person, as well as the body corporate, is guilty of that offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Offences committed by unincorporated associations etc

59

the officer or member, as well as the association, is guilty of that offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Regulations under this Part

60

Meaning of “the Commission”

61

In this Part “the Commission” means the Electoral Commission.

Part 7 — General

Review of operation of Act

62

Power to amend references to subordinate legislation etc

63

in consequence of the amendment or revocation of any subordinate legislation which is for the time being referred to in the provision.

Financial provisions

64

Interpretation etc

65

In this Act—

Extent

66

Commencement

67

Short title

68

This Act may be cited as the Elections Act 2022.

Schedule 1

Amendments of RPA 1983

1

RPA 1983 is amended as follows.

2

After section 13BC insert—

(13BD) (1) An application for an electoral identity document may be made by a person who— (a) is or has applied to be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain or a register of local government electors in England, or (b) is or has applied to be registered in a register of local government electors in Wales and— (i) is entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on being registered be entitled to vote, at an election of a police and crime commissioner for a police area in Wales (see section 52(1A) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011), or (ii) will be entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on being registered be entitled to vote, at such an election on attaining the age of 18. (2) An application must be made to a registration officer who maintains a register referred to in subsection (1) in which the applicant is or has applied to be registered. (3) A registration officer must, in accordance with regulations, determine an application made to the registration officer. (4) Regulations may make provision— (a) about the timing of an application for an electoral identity document; (b) about the issuing or collection of an electoral identity document. (5) Regulations under subsection (4)(a) may in particular provide for an application to be disregarded for the purposes of a particular election where the application is received after a deadline specified by reference to the date of that election. (6) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (4)(b) includes provision amending the parliamentary elections rules in connection with the collection of an electoral identity document from a polling station. (7) No charge may be made for the issue of an electoral identity document. (8) Regulations must require an electoral identity document issued to a person— (a) to state the person’s full name, and (b) to contain a photograph of the person. (9) Regulations may require an electoral identity document to include other information. (10) Regulations may make provision about— (a) the form of an electoral identity document (including provision for the document to be issued in different forms in different circumstances), and (b) the period for which an electoral identity document issued in a particular form is to be valid. (11) Regulations under subsection (9) or (10)(a) may confer functions on the Electoral Commission (for example, the Commission may be required to design an electoral identity document). (13BE) (1) An application for an anonymous elector’s document may be made by a person who— (a) has or has applied for an anonymous entry in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain or a register of local government electors in England, or (b) has or has applied for an anonymous entry in a register of local government electors in Wales and— (i) is entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on having an anonymous entry in the register be entitled to vote, at an election of a police and crime commissioner for a police area in Wales (see section 52(1A) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011), or (ii) will be entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on having an anonymous entry in the register be entitled to vote, at such an election on attaining the age of 18. (2) An application must be made to a registration officer who maintains a register referred to in subsection (1) in which the applicant has or has applied for an anonymous entry. (3) A registration officer must, in accordance with regulations, determine an application made to the registration officer. (4) Regulations may make provision— (a) about the timing of an application for an anonymous elector’s document; (b) about the issuing or collection of an anonymous elector’s document. (5) Regulations under subsection (4)(a) may in particular provide for an application to be disregarded for the purposes of a particular election where the application is received after a deadline specified by reference to the date of that election. (6) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (4)(b) includes provision amending the parliamentary elections rules in connection with the collection of an anonymous elector’s document from a polling station. (7) No charge may be made for the issue of an anonymous elector’s document. (8) Regulations must require an anonymous elector’s document issued to a person— (a) to state the person’s electoral number, and (b) to contain a photograph of the person. (9) Regulations may require an anonymous elector’s document to include other information. (10) Regulations may make provision about— (a) the form of an anonymous elector’s document (including provision for the document to be issued in different forms in different circumstances), and (b) the period for which an anonymous elector’s document issued in a particular form is to be valid. (11) Regulations under subsection (9) or (10)(a) may confer functions on the Electoral Commission (for example, the Commission may be required to design an anonymous elector’s document). (12) Regulations— (a) may authorise or require a registration officer to remind a person who has an anonymous entry in a register maintained by the officer of the need to obtain an anonymous elector’s document in order to be able to vote in person; (b) may require a registration officer, in prescribed circumstances, to replace an anonymous elector’s document issued to a person with a new anonymous elector’s document issued by the officer.

3

(3A) Regulations may make provision about the issuing or collection of an electoral identity card. (3B) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (3A) includes provision amending the parliamentary elections rules in connection with the collection of an electoral identity card from a polling station.

(4A) Regulations may make provision— (a) about the information to be included in an electoral identity card; (b) about the form of an electoral identity card (including provision for the card to be issued in different forms in different circumstances).

4

(1) A person commits an offence if the person provides false information in connection with— (a) an application under section 13BD for an electoral identity document, (b) an application under section 13BE for an anonymous elector’s document, or (c) an application under section 13C for an electoral identity card.

(5) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable— (a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or a fine (or both); (b) on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both); (c) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both). (6) In relation to an offence committed before section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force, the reference in subsection (5)(a) to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to six months.

5

In section 56 (registration appeals: England and Wales), in subsection (1), after paragraph (ab) insert—

(ac) from a determination of a registration officer not to issue— (i) an electoral identity document following an application under section 13BD, or (ii) an anonymous elector’s document following an application under section 13BE,

.

6

In section 58 (registration appeals: Northern Ireland), in subsection (1), after paragraph (ba) insert—

(bb) from a determination of the Chief Electoral Officer not to issue an electoral identity card following an application under section 13C;

.

7

After section 59 (supplemental provisions as to members of forces and service voters) insert—

(59A) (1) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish reports on the effect of the voter identification requirements on applications made under rule 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) or 40(1) of the parliamentary elections rules. (2) The duty under subsection (1) applies in respect of each of the first two parliamentary general elections that are held after the day on which paragraph 7 of Schedule 1 to the Elections Act 2022 comes into force. (3) Subsection (4) applies where requirements corresponding to the voter identification requirements (“the corresponding requirements”) have effect in relation to local government elections in England by virtue of rules made under section 36. (4) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish reports on the effect of the corresponding requirements on applications made under the provisions of rules made under section 36 corresponding to rules 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) and 40(1) of the parliamentary elections rules. (5) The duty under subsection (4) applies in respect of the first ordinary elections of councillors for local government areas in England that— (a) are held on an ordinary day of election (as determined under section 37) after the day on which the corresponding requirements come into force, and (b) are not combined with a parliamentary general election. (6) In preparing a report under this section, the Secretary of State must in particular take into account— (a) in the case of a report under subsection (1), information provided to the Secretary of State under rule 40B of the parliamentary elections rules (collection and disclosure of information relating to applications under rules 37 to 40); (b) in the case of a report under subsection (4), information provided to the Secretary of State under any provision of rules made under section 36 corresponding to rule 40B of the parliamentary elections rules. (7) In this section, “the voter identification requirements” means paragraphs (1A) to (1T) of rule 37 of the parliamentary elections rules (voting procedure) as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland (including those paragraphs as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40 of those rules).

8

(6ZA) For the purpose of determining whether an application for a ballot paper constitutes an offence under any of the multiple voting provisions, a previous application is to be disregarded if the applicant’s failure to vote on that occasion resulted only from a failure to produce satisfactory proof of identity. (6ZB) In subsection (6ZA), “the multiple voting provisions” means subsections (2)(a)(i), (2A)(a) to (c), (3)(a)(i) and (3A)(a) to (c).

9

In section 66B (failure to comply with conditions relating to supply etc of certain documents), in subsection (1)(a), after “rule” insert “19B, 56A or”.

10

Schedule 1 (Parliamentary elections rules) is amended in accordance with paragraphs 11 to 33.

11

After rule 19A insert—

(19B) (1) The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must prepare the following lists for each polling station— (a) a list setting out, in relation to each elector allotted to the polling station, the elector’s date of birth as supplied pursuant to section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b); (b) a list setting out, in relation to each person appointed to vote as proxy for an elector allotted to the polling station, the person’s date of birth as supplied pursuant to a relevant provision. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), “relevant provision” means— (a) where the person is or will be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Northern Ireland, section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b), and (b) where the person is or will be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain and does not also fall within sub-paragraph (a), section 8(7A) of the Representation of the People Act 1985. (3) A list prepared under paragraph (1) must include sufficient information for the purposes of enabling the presiding officer or a clerk at the polling station to make a decision under rule 37(1B)(a)(ii) (decision whether specified document raises doubt as to voter’s apparent age). (4) A person to whom paragraph (5) applies must not, otherwise than in accordance with these rules (including regulations under paragraph (6))— (a) permit a list prepared under paragraph (1) for a polling station to be inspected; (b) supply to any person a copy of a list prepared under paragraph (1) for a polling station or information contained in such a list; (c) make use of information contained in a list prepared under paragraph (1). (5) This paragraph applies to— (a) the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland; (b) a person to whom functions are delegated by the Chief Electoral Officer; (c) the presiding officer of the polling station; (d) a clerk or other officer appointed to work at the polling station. (6) Regulations may make provision— (a) enabling the inspection of a list prepared under paragraph (1) by prescribed persons; (b) authorising or requiring prescribed persons to supply a copy of a list prepared under paragraph (1) to such persons as may be prescribed; (c) for the payment of a fee in respect of the inspection of a list or the supply of a copy of a list. (7) Regulations under paragraph (6)(a) or (b) may impose conditions in relation to— (a) the inspection of a list; (b) the supply of a copy of a list; (c) the purposes for which information contained in a list that is inspected or supplied in pursuance of the regulations may be used. (8) The conditions that may be imposed by virtue of paragraph (7)(b) include conditions relating to the extent to which a person to whom a copy of a list has been supplied may— (a) supply the copy to any other person, (b) disclose to any other person information contained in the copy, or (c) use any such information for a purpose other than that for which the copy was supplied to the person. (9) Regulations under paragraph (6) may also impose, in respect of persons to whom a copy of a list has been supplied or information has been disclosed by virtue of paragraph (8), conditions corresponding to those mentioned in paragraph (8).

12

In rule 25 (provision of polling stations), after paragraph (5) insert—

(6) The returning officer must ensure that each polling station contains an area in which voters can produce proof of identity in private.

13

except— (a) order the arrest of any person or the exclusion or removal of any person from the polling station, (b) refuse to deliver a ballot paper under rule 35(3) or the relevant paragraph of rule 37, or (c) resolve doubts over identity as mentioned in the relevant paragraph of rule 37.

(4) In paragraph (3), “the relevant paragraph of rule 37” means— (a) in sub-paragraph (b)— (i) paragraph (1E) of rule 37 as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland (including that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40); (ii) paragraph (1C) of rule 37 as it extends to Northern Ireland (including that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40); (b) in sub-paragraph (c)— (i) paragraph (1F) of rule 37 as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland (including that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40); (ii) paragraph (1DA) of rule 37 as it extends to Northern Ireland (including that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40).

14

In rule 28 (issue of official poll cards), after paragraph (3) insert—

(3ZA) In the case of a form prescribed under paragraph (3) that relates to— (a) elections in England and Wales or Scotland, and (b) an official poll card to be sent to an elector or proxy voting in person at a polling station, the form must include details of the documents the voter needs to bring to the polling station, namely— (i) in the case of an elector (other than an elector with an anonymous entry) or a proxy, any of the forms of identification for the time being referred to in rule 37(1H); (ii) in the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, the elector’s official poll card and an anonymous elector’s document showing the same electoral number as the electoral number shown on the official poll card.

15

(f) in the case of an election held in Northern Ireland, the lists prepared for the polling station under rule 19B.

(3ZA) In the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, the returning officer must also provide each polling station with a prescribed form (referred to in these rules as “the ballot paper refusal list”) on which entries are to be made as mentioned in rule 40ZB (refusal to deliver ballot paper: Great Britain).

(4A) In the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, a large notice must be displayed inside each polling station containing— (a) details of the documents the voter needs to produce when applying for a ballot paper, namely— (i) in the case of an elector (other than an elector with an anonymous entry) or a proxy, any of the forms of identification for the time being referred to in rule 37(1H); (ii) in the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, the elector’s official poll card and an anonymous elector’s document showing the same electoral number as the electoral number shown on the official poll card, and (b) a statement that further proof of identity may be required to resolve any discrepancy between the name of the holder of a specified form of identification and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be.

16

(za) At an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, “What is your name?” (zb) At an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, “What is your address?”

(2B) In the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, where a clerk— (a) gives a person the required information (see paragraph (5)), (b) puts a question specified in paragraph (1) to the person, and (c) decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily, the clerk must refer the matter to the presiding officer, who must put the question to the person again.

(3) Where the presiding officer— (a) gives a person the required information, (b) puts a question specified in paragraph (1) to the person (whether or not, in the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, following a referral under paragraph (2B)), and (c) decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily, the officer must refuse to deliver a ballot paper to the person. In the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, see rule 40ZB (procedure where ballot paper is refused under this paragraph). (3A) For the purposes of this rule, a person answers the question “What is your name?” or “What is your address?” satisfactorily if— (a) where one of those questions is put, the answer matches a name or address (as the case may be) in the register of parliamentary electors; (b) where both those questions are put, the answers match a name and address in that register that relate to the same person. (3B) In the case of an elector in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D), the references to the register in paragraph (3A) above are to be read as references to the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D).

(5) For the purposes of this rule, a person to whom any question is to be put is given “the required information” if the person is first informed that— (a) a ballot paper will be refused if the person fails to answer each question satisfactorily, and (b) giving false information may be an offence.

17

(1AA) The presiding officer or clerk must arrange for the voter to produce any document in a private area of the polling station if the voter so requests, and, in such a case, must ensure that no other persons witness the production except as permitted by the voter.

— (a) the officer or clerk decides that— (i) the document, or (ii) the apparent age of the voter as compared with the voter’s age according to the date supplied as the date of the voter’s birth pursuant to a relevant provision (see paragraph (1DC)), raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or (b) the officer or clerk reasonably suspects that the document is a forged document (see paragraph (1EA)).

(1DA) There is an exception from paragraph (1C) for cases within sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1B) where— (a) a discrepancy between the name of the holder of a specified document and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be is resolved to the presiding officer’s satisfaction at the time of the application by the voter producing further proof of identity, and (b) the presiding officer has no other reason (arising from any document produced by the voter) to doubt that the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be. (1DB) The refusal to deliver a ballot paper under paragraph (1C) does not prevent the voter making a further application under paragraph (1), and paragraphs (1A) to (1DA) apply on any further application. (1DC) For the purposes of paragraph (1B)(a)(ii), “relevant provision” means— (a) where the voter is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Northern Ireland, section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b) of this Act, and (b) where the voter is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain and does not also fall within sub-paragraph (a), section 8(7A) of the Representation of the People Act 1985.

(m) a Half Fare SmartPass issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme for use from 1 April 2004; (n) a biometric immigration document issued in accordance with regulations under section 5 of the UK Borders Act 2007.

(1EA) In this rule a “forged document” means a false document made to resemble a specified document.

(1FA) No person other than the presiding officer or a clerk may inspect a document produced as proof of a voter’s identity, except as permitted by the voter.

18

(1A) A ballot paper must not be delivered to a voter unless the voter produces a specified document to the presiding officer or a clerk. (1B) The presiding officer or clerk must arrange for the voter to produce any document in a private area of the polling station if the voter so requests, and, in such a case, must ensure that no other persons witness the production except as permitted by the voter. (1C) Paragraph (1D) applies in relation to a voter where— (a) the voter produces a specified document to a clerk and the clerk decides that the document raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or (b) the voter produces a document to a clerk that the clerk reasonably suspects to be a forged document (see paragraph (1P)). (1D) Where this paragraph applies, the clerk must refer the matter and produce the document to the presiding officer, who must proceed as if the voter had produced the document to the presiding officer in the first place. (1E) The presiding officer must refuse to deliver a ballot paper to a voter where— (a) the voter produces a specified document to the officer and the officer decides that the document raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or (b) the voter produces a document to the officer that the officer reasonably suspects to be a forged document. See rule 40ZB (procedure where ballot paper is refused under this paragraph). (1F) But there is an exception from paragraph (1E) for cases within sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph where— (a) a discrepancy between the name of the holder of a specified document and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be is resolved to the presiding officer’s satisfaction at the time of the application by the voter producing further proof of identity, and (b) the presiding officer has no other reason (arising from any document produced by the voter) to doubt that the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be. (1G) The refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under paragraph (1E) does not prevent the voter making a further application under paragraph (1), and paragraphs (1A) to (1F) apply on any further application. (1H) In this rule a “specified document”, except in the case of a voter with an anonymous entry in the register of electors (as to which see paragraph (1K)), means any of the following documents (in whatever form issued to the holder) that contain a photograph of the holder— (a) a United Kingdom passport (see paragraph (1I)); (b) a passport issued by an EEA state or a Commonwealth country; (c) a licence to drive a motor vehicle granted under— (i) Part 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, or (ii) the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (SI 1981/154 (N.I. 1)); (d) a driving licence issued by any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state; (e) a biometric immigration document issued in accordance with regulations under section 5 of the UK Borders Act 2007; (f) an identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card); (g) a Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card); (h) a relevant concessionary travel pass (see paragraph (1J)); (i) a badge of a form prescribed under section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 or section 14 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (blue badge scheme); (j) an electoral identity document issued under section 13BD (electoral identity document: Great Britain); (k) an electoral identity card issued under section 13C (electoral identity card: Northern Ireland); (l) a national identity card issued by an EEA state. (1I) In paragraph (1H)(a) “United Kingdom passport” means a passport issued by— (a) the Government of the United Kingdom, (b) the Lieutenant-Governor of any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or (c) the Government of any British overseas territory. (1J) In paragraph (1H)(h), “relevant concessionary travel pass” means a concessionary travel pass listed in the second column of the following table—

passes funded by the Government of the United Kingdom an Older Person’s Bus Pass
passes funded by the Government of the United Kingdom a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
passes funded by the Government of the United Kingdom an Oyster 60+ card
passes funded by the Government of the United Kingdom a Freedom Pass
passes funded by the Scottish Government the National Entitlement Card
passes funded by the Welsh Government a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
passes funded by the Welsh Government a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
passes issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme a Senior SmartPass
passes issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme a Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass
passes issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme a War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass
passes issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme a 60+ SmartPass
passes issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme a Half Fare SmartPass

(1K) In this rule a “specified document”, in the case of a voter who has an anonymous entry in the register of electors, means an anonymous elector’s document issued to the voter under section 13BE which— (a) was issued by an appropriate registration officer, and (b) contains the voter’s electoral number. (1L) For the purposes of paragraph (1K)— - “appropriate registration officer” means—the registration officer for the constituency in which the election is being held, orwhere the election is being held in a constituency for which there is more than one registration officer, any of those officers; - a voter’s “electoral number” is the number—allocated to the voter as stated in the copy of the register of electors, orwhere an entry relating to the voter is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D), as stated in the copy of that notice. (1M) A reference in this rule to a document that is a specified document is a reference to the document regardless of any expiry date relating to it (subject to paragraph (1N)). (1N) Paragraph (1M) does not apply to a document which— (a) is referred to in paragraph (1H)(j) or (1K), and (b) in accordance with regulations made by virtue of section 13BD or 13BE (as the case may be), is issued for use only at a particular poll or at particular polls being held on the same day. (1P) In this rule a “forged document” means a false document made to resemble a specified document. (1Q) Regulations may make provisions varying paragraph (1H), (1I) or (1J) by— (a) adding a reference to a document to any of those paragraphs, (b) removing a reference to a document from any of those paragraphs (other than the document referred to in paragraph (1H)(j)), or (c) varying any description of document referred to in any of those paragraphs. (1R) The power to make provision by virtue of paragraph (1Q)(b) is exercisable only on, and in accordance with, a recommendation of the Electoral Commission. (1S) No person other than the presiding officer or a clerk may inspect a document produced as proof of a voter’s identity, except as permitted by the voter. (1T) References in this rule to producing a document are to producing it for inspection.

19

In rule 38 (votes marked by presiding officer), for paragraph (1A) substitute—

(1A) The relevant paragraphs of rule 37 apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) above as they apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 37(1), but as if— (a) references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to causing a voter’s vote to be marked on a ballot paper, and (b) in rule 37(1G) as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland, and in rule 37(1DB) as it extends to Northern Ireland, the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 37 were to paragraph (1) of this rule. (1B) In paragraph (1A), “the relevant paragraphs of rule 37” means— (a) paragraphs (1A) to (1T) of rule 37 as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland; (b) paragraphs (1A) to (1G) of rule 37 as it extends to Northern Ireland.

20

In rule 39 (voting by persons with disabilities), for paragraph (2A) substitute—

(2A) The relevant paragraphs of rule 37 apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) above as they apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 37(1), but as if— (a) references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to granting a voter’s application, and (b) in rule 37(1G) as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland, and in rule 37(1DB) as it extends to Northern Ireland, the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 37 were to paragraph (1) of this rule. (2B) In paragraph (2A), “the relevant paragraphs of rule 37” means— (a) paragraphs (1A) to (1T) of rule 37 as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland; (b) paragraphs (1A) to (1G) of rule 37 as it extends to Northern Ireland.

21

(1A) The relevant paragraphs of rule 37 apply in the case of a person who seeks to mark a tendered ballot paper under this rule as they apply in the case of a voter who applies for a ballot paper under rule 37(1), subject to the modification set out in paragraph (1AA). (1AA) The modification is that— (a) in rule 37(1G) as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland, and (b) in rule 37(1DB) as it extends to Northern Ireland, the reference to making a further application under paragraph (1) of rule 37 were to seeking a further time to mark a tendered ballot paper under the paragraph of this rule under which a previous such attempt was made. (1AB) In paragraph (1A), “the relevant paragraphs of rule 37” means— (a) paragraphs (1A) to (1T) of rule 37 as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland; (b) paragraphs (1A) to (1G) of rule 37 as it extends to Northern Ireland.

22

After rule 40ZA insert—

(40ZB) (1) This rule applies in relation to an election held in England and Wales or Scotland. (2) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as an elector, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list— (a) the voter’s electoral number, and (b) against that number, the reason for the refusal. (3) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as a proxy, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list— (a) the name and address of the voter, and (b) against those details, the reason for the refusal. (4) Paragraphs (5) and (6) apply where— (a) a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under rule 37(1E), and (b) the voter makes a further application under rule 37(1). (5) If a ballot paper is delivered to the voter following a further application, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list. (6) If the presiding officer again refuses to deliver a ballot paper to the voter, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list. (7) Entries required by this rule to be made on the ballot paper refusal list must be made as soon as practicable after delivery of a ballot paper to a voter is refused (or, in the case mentioned in paragraph (5), as soon as practicable after the delivery of a ballot paper to a voter). (8) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number— (a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or (b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D), as stated in the copy of that notice. (9) Subject to rule 37(1G) and paragraph (10), a refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever. (10) A refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is subject to review on an election petition. (11) In this rule— (a) except in paragraph (4)(a), any reference to the refusal to deliver a ballot paper (however expressed) is to the refusal to do so under rule 35(3) or 37(1E), and (b) any reference to paragraph (1E) or (1G) of rule 37 includes a reference to that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40.

23

In rule 40A—

24

After rule 40A insert—

(40B) (1) This rule applies in relation to an election held in England and Wales or Scotland if— (a) regulations provide that this rule applies in relation to the election, or (b) the election is within a description of elections in relation to which regulations provide that this rule applies. (2) A presiding officer must— (a) collect prescribed information relating to applications made under rules 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) and 40(1), and (b) provide the prescribed information to the returning officer as soon as practicable after the close of the poll. (3) Where the prescribed information relates to an election held in England and Wales— (a) the returning officer must forward the information to the relevant registration officer, and (b) the relevant registration officer must, as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the information, deal with it as required by paragraph (5). (4) Where the prescribed information relates to an election held in Scotland, the returning officer must deal with it as required by paragraph (5). (5) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must— (a) anonymise the prescribed information by removing from it all names and electoral numbers of the people to whom the information relates, and (b) collate the information in the prescribed manner. The information as anonymised and collated in accordance with this paragraph is referred to in the rest of this rule as “the paragraph (5) information”. (6) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must provide the paragraph (5) information— (a) to the Secretary of State, as soon as reasonably practicable after taking the steps required by paragraph (5), and (b) where they request the information, to the Electoral Commission. (7) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must not disclose the paragraph (5) information otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (6). (8) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must retain the information anonymised in accordance with paragraph (5)(a) for at least 10 years. (9) For the purposes of paragraph (5)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number— (a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or (b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D), as stated in the copy of that notice. (10) Except as provided by paragraph (11), a disclosure of information under this rule does not breach— (a) any obligation of confidence owed by the presiding officer, the returning officer or a registration officer, or (b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed). (11) Nothing in this rule authorises the making of a disclosure that contravenes the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, the duties imposed by paragraphs (2)and (3) are to be taken into account). (12) In this rule— (a) “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3(9) of that Act); (b) references to the relevant registration officer are to— (i) the registration officer of the local authority in whose area the constituency is situated, or (ii) if the constituency comprises any part of the area of more than one local authority, the registration officer of the local authority in whose area the greater or greatest (as the case may be) number of electors is registered.

25

In rule 43 (procedure on close of poll), after paragraph (1)(da) insert—

(db) in the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, the ballot paper refusal list completed in accordance with rule 40ZB, (dc) in the case of an election held in Northern Ireland, the lists provided to the polling station under rule 29(3)(f),

.

26

After rule 53A insert—

(53B) The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must destroy the lists provided to the polling station under rule 29(3)(f)— (a) on the next working day following the 21st day after the Chief Electoral Officer has returned the name of the member elected, or (b) if an election petition questioning the election or return is presented before that day, on the next working day following the conclusion of proceedings on the petition or on appeal from such proceedings.

27

In rule 54 (sealing up of ballot papers), after paragraph (2)(b) insert—

(ba) in the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, the completed ballot paper refusal list,

.

28

In rule 55 (delivery of documents to registration officer), after paragraph (1)(ca) insert—

(cb) in the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, the packet containing the completed ballot paper refusal list,

.

29

In rule 56 (orders for production of documents), after paragraph (1) insert—

(1A) An order— (a) for the opening of the sealed packet containing a completed ballot paper refusal list, or (b) for the inspection or production of that list, may be made by the High Court or the county court if satisfied by evidence on oath that the order is required for the purpose of an election petition relating to an election in England and Wales or Scotland.

30

After rule 56 insert—

(56A) (1) Regulations may make provision about the circumstances in which a registration officer may open the sealed packet containing a completed ballot paper refusal list and inspect the list. (2) Regulations may impose conditions in relation to the opening of a sealed packet or the inspection of a list by virtue of paragraph (1). (3) Regulations may make provision about the disclosure by a registration officer of information contained in the ballot paper refusal list.

31

In rule 57 (retention and public inspection of documents), after paragraph (2)(b) insert—

(ba) in the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, the completed ballot paper refusal list,

.

32

In rule 58 (disposal of documents in Scotland), after paragraph (2)(b) insert—

(ba) the references in rule 56A to a registration officer are to be read as references to the returning officer;

.

33

(1) You must satisfy the presiding officer about your identity by showing an approved form of ID.

Extension of Northern Ireland voter identification provisions to Great Britain

34

Section 2(3)(b) and (c) of the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985, and section 2(1) of that Act so far as relating to those provisions, extend to England and Wales and to Scotland (as well as to Northern Ireland).

35

After section 7(4) of the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 insert—

(5) See also paragraph 34 of Schedule 1 to the Elections Act 2022 (which relates to section 2 of this Act).

36

Section 5(2) of the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002, and section 5(1) of that Act so far as relating to that provision, extend to England and Wales and to Scotland (as well as to Northern Ireland).

37

After section 8(5) of the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 insert—

(6) See also paragraph 36 of Schedule 1 to the Elections Act 2022 (which relates to section 5 of this Act: disabled voters).

38

Section 13CZA of RPA 1983 (provision of false information: application for electoral identity card) extends to England and Wales and to Scotland (as well as to Northern Ireland).

39

After section 27(3) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 insert—

(4) See also paragraph 38 of Schedule 1 to the Elections Act 2022 (which relates to section 17 of this Act: electoral identity cards).

Consequential repeals

40

Section 2(2) of the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 is repealed.

Schedule 2

Amendments to the Representation of the People Act 1983

1

In section 53 of RPA 1983 (power to make regulations as to registration etc), in subsection (1)—

(ba) with respect to applications under sections 13BD, 13BE and 13C and documents or cards issued under any of those sections; and

.

2

Schedule 2 to RPA 1983 (provision which may be contained in regulations as to registration etc) is amended in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 11.

3

(5A) References in this paragraph to a registration officer’s registration duties include references to— (a) in the case of a registration officer in Great Britain, the officer’s functions— (i) under sections 13BD and 13BE, and (ii) in relation to applications under paragraph 3, 4 or 6 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000, other than applications in relation to a local government election, or local government elections, in Scotland or Wales; (b) in the case of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, the Chief Electoral Officer’s functions— (i) under section 13C, and (ii) in relation to applications under section 6, 7 or 8 of the Representation of the People Act 1985.

4

(1A) The following persons are within this sub-paragraph— (a) a person who is registered in a register maintained by the registration officer; (b) a person who is named in— (i) an application for registration in, or alteration of, a register, (ii) an application (including a partially completed application) under section 13BD, 13BE or 13C, or (iii) a relevant absent voting application. (1B) In sub-paragraph (1A)(b)(i), the reference to an application for registration in, or alteration of, a register includes a reference to a partially completed application submitted through the UK digital service.

(6) In sub-paragraph (1), the reference to disclosing information includes, in relation to verifying information relating to a person who is named in a relevant registration application or a relevant absent voting application, references to disclosing evidence provided by a person in connection with the application. (7) In this paragraph— (a) “relevant absent voting application” means— (i) an application (including a partially completed application) under paragraph 3, 4 or 6 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000, other than an application in relation to a local government election, or local government elections, in Scotland or Wales, or (ii) an application (including a partially completed application) under section 6, 7 or 8 of the Representation of the People Act 1985; (b) “relevant registration application” means an application (including a partially completed application) for registration in, or alteration of— (i) a register of parliamentary electors, or (ii) a register of local government electors in England, and includes a form (or partially completed form) in connection with a canvass under section 10; (c) “the UK digital service” means a digital service provided by a Minister of the Crown for the registration of electors, and the reference in sub-paragraph (1B) to an application submitted through the UK digital service is a reference to an application submitted using that service as an intermediary. (8) A notice, including a partially completed notice, under section 8(9) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (cancellation of proxy appointment) is to be treated as a relevant absent voting application for the purposes of this paragraph.

5

(2A) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) in relation to applications within sub-paragraph (2B) may include provision— (a) conferring functions on the Secretary of State to enable applications to be made in a particular manner; (b) authorising the Secretary of State, in prescribed circumstances, to complete applications in part for people. (2B) The following applications are within this sub-paragraph— (a) an application for registration in, or alteration of— (i) a register of parliamentary electors, (ii) a register of local government electors in England, or (iii) a register of local government electors in Scotland or Wales, where the application is submitted through the UK digital service; (b) an application under section 13BD or 13BE.

(3A) Provision requiring a person making an application under section 13BD or 13BE to provide evidence that the person is the person named in the application.

(7) In sub-paragraph (2B)(a)(iii), “the UK digital service” means a digital service provided by a Minister of the Crown for the registration of electors, and the reference to an application submitted through the UK digital service is a reference to an application submitted using that service as an intermediary.

6

For paragraph 3A substitute—

(3A) (1) Provision about— (a) applications for registration in Northern Ireland and applications under section 13C, including in particular provision about— (i) the form and contents of applications and of any declarations to be made in connection with them; (ii) the manner in which applications and any such declarations are to be made; (b) the manner in which forms in connection with a canvass under section 10 are to be submitted. (2) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision— (a) conferring functions on the Secretary of State or the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland to enable applications to be made, or forms to be submitted, in a particular manner; (b) conferring other functions on the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland; (c) conferring functions on the Electoral Commission; (d) authorising the Secretary of State or the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, in prescribed circumstances, to complete applications or forms in part for people. (3) Provision requiring a person making an application for registration in Northern Ireland— (a) to provide evidence that the person is the person named in the application; (b) to provide evidence of entitlement to be registered. (4) Provision requiring a person making an application under section 13C to provide evidence that the person is the person named in the application. (5) Provision made under sub-paragraph (3) or (4) must specify the kind of evidence that a person is required to provide. (6) Examples of the evidence that may be specified include a person’s date of birth or national insurance number. (7) Provision made under sub-paragraph (3) or (4) may require a person to provide the evidence to the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland or to some other prescribed person (or person of a prescribed description). (8) Provision about how any requirement for an applicant to provide a signature in connection with— (a) an application for registration in Northern Ireland, or (b) a form submitted in connection with a canvass under section 10, may be satisfied.

7

After paragraph 5 insert—

(5ZA) (1) Provision about the manner in which relevant absent voting applications are to be made. (2) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision— (a) conferring functions on the Secretary of State, registration officers, or local or public authorities in Great Britain, to enable applications to be made in a particular manner; (b) conferring other functions on registration officers; (c) conferring functions on the Electoral Commission; (d) authorising the Secretary of State or the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, in prescribed circumstances, to complete applications in part for people. (3) Provision imposing requirements to be met in relation to a relevant absent voting application. (4) Provision about how any requirement for an applicant to provide a signature in connection with a relevant absent voting application may be satisfied. (5) In this paragraph “relevant absent voting application” has the same meaning as in paragraph 1A. (6) A notice under section 8(9) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (cancellation of proxy appointment) is to be treated as a relevant absent voting application for the purposes of this paragraph.

8

In paragraph 8B(1), for “or 10ZD” substitute “, 10ZD, 13BD, 13BE or 13C”.

9

After paragraph 8B insert—

(8BA) (1) Provision requiring a registration officer in Great Britain to keep records of— (a) applications made to the officer under sections 13BD and 13BE; (b) documents issued by the officer under those sections. (2) Provision requiring the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland to keep records of— (a) applications made to the Chief Electoral Officer under section 13C; (b) electoral identity cards issued under that section. (3) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) may include provision about information to be shown in a record. (4) Provision authorising or requiring a relevant registration officer— (a) to supply a copy of a record kept by the officer by virtue of provision made under sub-paragraph (1) or (2), or (b) to disclose information contained in such a record, to such persons and for such purposes as may be prescribed. (5) In sub-paragraph (4), “relevant registration officer” means— (a) in relation to a record referred to in sub-paragraph (1), a registration officer in Great Britain; (b) in relation to a record referred to in sub-paragraph (2), the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland.

10

In paragraph 8C(1)—

11

In paragraph 13, after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

(1ZZA) References in sub-paragraph (1)(b) to a registration officer’s registration duties include references to— (a) in the case of a registration officer in Great Britain, the officer’s functions— (i) under sections 13BD and 13BE, and (ii) in relation to applications under paragraph 3, 4 or 6 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000, other than applications in relation to a local government election, or local government elections, in Scotland or Wales; (b) in the case of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, the Chief Electoral Officer’s functions— (i) under section 13C, and (ii) in relation to applications under section 6, 7 or 8 of the Representation of the People Act 1985.

Power to remove signature requirements

12

Power to make provision about unique reference numbers: elections in Northern Ireland

13

Consequential repeals

14

The following are repealed—

Schedule 3

Representation of the People Act 2000

1

Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (absent voting in Great Britain) is amended as follows.

2

(1A) Any grant of an application under sub-paragraph (1) to vote by post at parliamentary elections, or at local government elections in England, is to be for— (a) the period ending with the third 31 January following the date on which the application is granted, or (b) any shorter period specified in the application. (1B) But where the person is or will be registered in the register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, sub-paragraph (1A) does not apply and instead any grant of an application to vote by post at parliamentary elections is to be for— (a) the period ending with the 1 November until which, by virtue of section 1D(1)(a) or (3)(a) of the Representation of the People Act 1985, the person is entitled to remain registered in that register, or (b) any shorter period specified in the application.

(aa) in the case of those who may vote by post at parliamentary elections or at local government elections in England (or both), the period for which they may do so, (ab) in the case of— (i) those who may vote by post at local government elections in Scotland or Wales, or (ii) those who may vote by proxy, whether their applications were to vote by post or proxy for an indefinite or a particular period (specifying that period),

.

(ca) in the case of a person shown in the record as voting by post at parliamentary elections or at local government elections in England (or both), once the period for which the person is entitled to vote by post at elections of the kind in question has expired, or

;

(7A) Sub-paragraph (1A) applies to an application under sub-paragraph (7) to vote by post at parliamentary elections, or at local government elections in England, as it applies to an application under sub-paragraph (1) (but this is subject to sub-paragraph (7B)). (7B) Where an application under sub-paragraph (7) to vote by post at parliamentary elections is made by a person who is or will be entitled to be registered in the register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, sub-paragraph (1B) applies to the application as it applies to an application under sub-paragraph (1).

3

(5A) Any grant of an application under sub-paragraph (4)(a) to vote by post as proxy at parliamentary elections, or at local government elections in England, is to be for— (a) the period ending with the third 31 January following the date on which the application is granted, or (b) any shorter period specified in the application.

(aa) in the case of those who may vote by post as proxy at parliamentary elections or at local government elections in England (or both), the period for which they may do so, (ab) in the case of those who may vote by post as proxy at local government elections in Scotland or Wales, whether their applications were to vote by post as proxy for an indefinite or a particular period (specifying that period), and

.

(ca) in the case of a person shown in the record as voting by post as proxy at parliamentary elections or at local government elections in England (or both), once the period for which the person is entitled to vote by post as proxy at elections of the kind in question has expired, or

;

Transitional provision

4

Schedule 4

Representation of the People Act 1983

1

RPA 1983 is amended as follows.

2

(1A) A person (“P”) is guilty of an offence if P applies for the appointment of a proxy to vote for P— (a) at a parliamentary election, where P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at that election, or at parliamentary elections, for four or more other electors; (b) at a parliamentary election where— (i) P is or will be registered in a register of parliamentary electors otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration, and (ii) P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at that election, or at parliamentary elections, for two or more other electors none of whom is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration; (c) at a local government election in England, where P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at that election, or at local government elections in England, for four or more other electors; (d) at a local government election in England where— (i) P is or will be registered in a register of local government electors in England otherwise than in pursuance of a service declaration, and (ii) P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at that election, or at local government elections in England, for two or more other electors none of whom is registered in a register of local government electors in England in pursuance of a service declaration; (e) at parliamentary elections, where P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at a parliamentary election, or at parliamentary elections, for four or more other electors; (f) at parliamentary elections where— (i) P is or will be registered in a register of parliamentary electors otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration, and (ii) P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at a parliamentary election, or at parliamentary elections, for two or more other electors none of whom is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration; (g) at local government elections in England, where P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at a local government election in England, or at local government elections in England, for four or more other electors; (h) at local government elections in England, where— (i) P is or will be registered in a register of local government electors in England otherwise than in pursuance of a service declaration, and (ii) P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote, at a local government election in England, or at local government elections in England, for two or more other electors none of whom is registered in a register of local government electors in England in pursuance of a service declaration.

(3B) A person (“P”) is also guilty of an offence if P votes as proxy— (a) for more than four electors— (i) at a parliamentary election; (ii) where the polls for two or more parliamentary elections are held on the same day, at those elections taken together; (iii) at a local government election in England; (iv) where the polls for two or more local government elections in England are held on the same day, at those elections taken together; (b) for more than two electors— (i) at a parliamentary election, or (ii) where the polls for two or more parliamentary elections are held on the same day, at those elections taken together, where P knows that more than two of those electors are registered in a register of parliamentary electors otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration; (c) for more than two electors— (i) at a local government election in England, or (ii) where the polls for two or more local government elections in England are held on the same day, at those elections taken together, where P knows that more than two of those electors are registered in a register of local government electors otherwise than in pursuance of a service declaration.

3

In section 202 (general provisions as to interpretation), in subsection (1), after the definition of “registered political party” insert—

  • “service declaration” means a declaration made by a person under and in accordance with section 15;

.

4

(c) must be put if— (i) the person has answered the previous question in the manner indicated, and (ii) the letter “R” appears after the question and the candidate or his election or polling agent requires the question to be put:

.

“Have you already voted as proxy at this election, whether here or elsewhere in this constituency or in any other constituency, on behalf of four or more electors?” [R] If the person answers question (c) in the negative: “Have you already voted as proxy at this election, whether here or elsewhere in this constituency or in any other constituency, on behalf of two or more electors?” [R] If the person answers question (d) in the affirmative: “Were two or more of the electors on whose behalf you have voted in this election registered in a register of parliamentary electors otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration?” [R] If the person answers question (e) in the affirmative: “Is the elector (or are the electors) for whom you are voting today registered in a register of parliamentary electors otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration?” [R] At an election held in Northern Ireland, “What is your date of birth?”.

.

“Have you already voted as proxy at this election, whether here or elsewhere in this constituency or in any other constituency, on behalf of four or more electors?” [R] If the person answers question (c) in the negative: “Have you already voted as proxy at this election, whether here or elsewhere in this constituency or in any other constituency, on behalf of two or more electors?” [R] If the person answers question (d) in the affirmative: “Were two or more of the electors on whose behalf you have voted in this election registered in a register of parliamentary electors otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration?” [R] If the person answers question (e) in the affirmative: “Is the elector (or are the electors) for whom you are voting today registered in a register of parliamentary electors otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration?” [R]

.

5

In Schedule 2 (provisions which may be contained in regulations as to registration etc), after paragraph 5B insert—

(5C) (1) Provision as to the steps that the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must take, before appointing a person as proxy to vote for another, to ensure that the appointment complies with section 8(2A) of the Representation of the People Act 1985. (2) Provision under sub-paragraph (1) may require a registration officer in Great Britain to provide information about whether the person has or will have an entry in a register of parliamentary electors maintained by the officer.

Representation of the People Act 1985

6

(2A) A person is not capable of being appointed to vote, or voting, as proxy at a parliamentary election unless the person is or will be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

(5) A person— (a) is not entitled to vote as proxy at a parliamentary election on behalf of more than two electors who do not fall within subsection (5A), but (b) subject to paragraph (a), is entitled to vote as proxy at a parliamentary election on behalf of up to four electors. (5A) An elector falls within this subsection if the elector is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration. (5B) Where the polls for two or more parliamentary elections are held on the same day, references in subsection (5A) to a parliamentary election are to all of those elections taken together.

(7A) The requirements prescribed under subsections (6) and (7) must include a requirement for an application to contain the proxy’s date of birth.

Representation of the People Act 2000

7

(5C) A person— (a) is not entitled to vote as proxy at a parliamentary election, or at a local government election in England, on behalf of more than two electors who do not fall within sub-paragraph (5D), but (b) subject to paragraph (a), is entitled to vote as proxy at any such election on behalf of up to four electors. (5D) An elector falls within this sub-paragraph— (a) in relation to a parliamentary election, if the elector is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration; (b) in relation to a local government election in England, if the elector is registered in a register of local government electors in England in pursuance of a service declaration. (5E) Where the polls for two or more parliamentary elections are held on the same day, references in sub-paragraph (5C) to a parliamentary election are to all of those elections taken together. (5F) Where the polls for two or more local government elections in England are held on the same day, references in sub-paragraph (5C) to a local government election in England are to all of those elections taken together.

Termination of certain proxy appointments on the specified day

8
9

Termination of applications for certain proxy appointments on the specified day

10
11

Schedule 5

Local Government Act 1972

1

The Local Government Act 1972 is amended as follows.

2

In section 80 (disqualifications for election and holding office as member of local authority), in subsection (1), after paragraph (e) insert

; or (f) is incapable of being elected to or holding— (i) the office of member of the Northern Ireland Assembly having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under section 114A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599)) (undue influence); (ii) the office of member of a district council in Northern Ireland having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (undue influence);

.

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

3

In section 4 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 (disqualifications), in subsection (1), after paragraph (e) insert—

(ea) the person is incapable of being elected to or holding— (i) the office of member of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under section 114A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, article 69 of the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 or regulation 136 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016 (undue influence); (ii) the office of member of the Northern Ireland Assembly having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under section 114A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001) (undue influence); or

.

Representation of the People Act 1983

4

(4B) Subject to section 113(2) to (6) of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962, a person reported by an election court personally guilty of a corrupt practice under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to that Act (undue influence)— (a) is, during the relevant period specified in subsection (5), incapable of being elected to the House of Commons, and (b) if already elected to a seat in the House of Commons, must vacate the seat as from the date of the report. (4C) In subsection (4B) “election court” has the same meaning as in the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (see section 130 of that Act); and section 94(2) of that Act (persons treated as reported personally guilty) applies also for the purposes of subsection (4B).

;

(2A) A person convicted of a corrupt practice under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (undue influence)— (a) is, during the relevant period specified in subsection (3), incapable of being elected to the House of Commons, and (b) if already elected to a seat in the House of Commons, must vacate the seat subject to and in accordance with subsections (4) and (5).

;

(7A) If a person convicted of a corrupt practice under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (undue influence) has already been elected to a seat in the House of Commons, the person is (in addition to being subject to the incapacities mentioned in subsection (2A)(a) above and section 112(1)(a)(ii) of that Act) suspended from performing any of the functions of a Member of Parliament during the period of suspension specified in subsection (8).

;

(9A) Any incapacity or other requirement applying to a person by virtue of subsection (2A) or (7A) applies in addition to any punishment imposed under section 108 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962; but each of those subsections has effect subject to section 113(2) to (6) of that Act.

Greater London Authority Act 1999

5

In section 21 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (disqualification from being the Mayor or an Assembly member)—

; or (f) the person is incapable of being elected to or holding— (i) the office of member of the Northern Ireland Assembly having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under section 114A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599)) (undue influence); (ii) the office of member of a district council in Northern Ireland having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (undue influence).

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

6

In Schedule 5B to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (mayors for combined authority areas: further provision about elections), in paragraph 9(1), after paragraph (d) insert—

(e) is incapable of being elected to or holding— (i) the office of member of the Northern Ireland Assembly having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under section 114A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599)) (undue influence); (ii) the office of member of a district council in Northern Ireland having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (undue influence).

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

7

In section 66 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (disqualification from election or holding office as police and crime commissioner), in subsection (3)—

; or (e) the person is incapable of being elected to or holding the office of— (i) member of the Northern Ireland Assembly having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under section 114A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599)) (undue influence); (ii) member of a district council in Northern Ireland having been reported personally guilty or convicted of a corrupt practice under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (undue influence).

Schedule 6

Part 1 — Local elections in Northern Ireland

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

1

The Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) is amended as follows.

2

In section 96 (provisions applying to all persons reported personally guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice)—

(ba) a corrupt practice under paragraph 5ZA of that Schedule (handling of postal voting documents by political campaigners); or

.

3

In section 108 (penalties for corrupt practices), in subsection (4)(a)(i), for “or 4A”, in both places, substitute “, 4A or 5ZA”.

4

In section 112 (incapacities resulting from convictions for corrupt or illegal practices)—

(ba) a corrupt practice under paragraph 5ZA of Schedule 9 (handling of postal voting documents by political campaigners); or

.

5

In section 114 (corrupt and illegal practices committed by agents), in subsection (1)(a), after “paragraph” insert “5ZA or”.

6

Schedule 5 (local elections rules) is amended in accordance with paragraphs 7 to 22.

7

In rule 5 (nomination of candidates), for paragraph (2A) substitute—

(2A) If a candidate— (a) commonly uses a surname that is different from any other surname the candidate has, (b) commonly uses a forename that is different from any other forename the candidate has, or (c) otherwise commonly uses one or more forenames or a surname in a different way from the way in which the candidate’s names are stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) (for example, where the commonly used names are in a different order from the names as so stated, include only some of those names, or include additional names), the nomination paper may state the commonly used name or names in addition to the names as stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a).

8

In rule 12 (publication of statement of persons nominated), in paragraph (2A)—

9

After rule 16A insert—

(16B) (1) The returning officer must prepare the following lists for each polling station— (a) a list setting out, in relation to each elector allotted to the polling station, the elector’s date of birth as supplied pursuant to section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989); (b) a list setting out, in relation to each person appointed to vote as proxy for an elector allotted to the polling station, the person’s date of birth as supplied pursuant to a relevant provision. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), “relevant provision” means— (a) where the person is or will be registered in a register of local electors in Northern Ireland, section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989), and (b) where the person is or will be registered in a register of local government electors in Great Britain and does not also fall within sub-paragraph (a), paragraph 9(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. (3) A list prepared under paragraph (1) must include sufficient information for the purposes of enabling the presiding officer or a clerk at each polling station to make a decision under rule 34(3)(a)(ii) (decision whether specified document raises doubt as to voter’s apparent age). (4) A person to whom paragraph (5) applies must not, otherwise than in accordance with these rules or provision made by or under any other enactment— (a) permit a list prepared under paragraph (1) for a polling station to be inspected; (b) supply to any person a copy of a list prepared under paragraph (1) for a polling station or information contained in such a list; (c) make use of information contained in a list prepared under paragraph (1). (5) This paragraph applies to— (a) the returning officer; (b) a person to whom functions are delegated by the returning officer; (c) the presiding officer of the polling station; (d) a clerk or other officer appointed to work at the polling station.

10

In rule 22 (provision of polling stations), after paragraph (4) insert—

(5) The returning officer must ensure that each polling station contains an area in which voters can produce proof of identity in private.

11

In rule 23 (appointment of presiding officers and clerks), in paragraph (3), for the words from “except” to the end substitute

except— (a) order the arrest of any person or the exclusion or removal of any person from the polling station, (b) refuse to deliver a ballot paper under rule 32(3) or paragraph (4) of rule 34 (including that paragraph as applied by rule 35, 36 or 37), or (c) resolve doubts over identity as mentioned in paragraph (5A) of rule 34 (including that paragraph as applied by rule 35, 36 or 37).

12

(f) the lists prepared for the polling station under rule 16B.

(b) such equipment as it is reasonable to provide for the purposes of enabling, or making it easier for, relevant persons to vote independently in the manner directed by rule 34 (including in relation to voting secretly).

(3B) In this rule, “relevant persons” means persons who find it difficult or impossible to vote in the manner directed by rule 34 because of— (a) blindness or partial sight, or (b) another disability. (3C) The Electoral Commission must give guidance to returning officers in relation to the duty imposed by paragraph (3A)(b). (3D) Before giving guidance under paragraph (3C), the Commission must consult such persons, including bodies representing the interests of relevant persons, as they consider appropriate. (3E) In performing the duty imposed by paragraph (3A)(b), a returning officer must have regard to guidance given under paragraph (3C).

13

(2) In the case of a person applying as proxy, the presiding officer may, and if required as mentioned in paragraph (1) above must, put the following additional question:— (a) “Have you already voted as proxy at this election, either here or elsewhere in this or any other district electoral area, on behalf of four or more electors?” and if the person answers that question in the negative, the following question:— (b) “Have you already voted as proxy at this election, either here or elsewhere in this or any other district electoral area, on behalf of two or more electors both or all of whom are registered in a register of local electors in Northern Ireland otherwise than by virtue of a service qualification?” and if the person answers that question in the affirmative, the following question:— (c) “Is the elector (or are the electors) for whom you are voting today at this election registered in a register of local electors in Northern Ireland otherwise than by virtue of a service qualification?”

(2A) Where a clerk— (a) gives a person the required information (see paragraph (6)), (b) puts any of the questions set out in paragraphs (1) to (2) above to the person, and (c) decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily, the clerk must refer the matter to the presiding officer, who must put the question to the person again.

(3) Where the presiding officer— (a) gives a person the required information, (b) puts any of the questions set out in paragraphs (1) to (2) above to the person (whether or not following a referral under paragraph (2A)), and (c) decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily, the officer must refuse to deliver a ballot paper to the person.

(6) For the purposes of this rule, a person to whom any question is to be put is given “the required information” if the person is first informed that— (a) a ballot paper will be refused if the person fails to answer each question satisfactorily, and (b) giving false information may be an offence.

14

(2A) The presiding officer or clerk must arrange for the voter to produce a specified document in a private area of the polling station if the voter so requests, and, in such a case, must ensure that no other persons witness the production except as permitted by the voter.

— (a) the officer or clerk decides that— (i) the document, or (ii) the apparent age of the voter as compared with the voter’s age according to the date supplied as the date of the voter’s birth pursuant to a relevant provision (see paragraph (5C)), raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or (b) the officer or clerk reasonably suspects that the document is a forged document (see paragraph (6B)).

(5A) There is an exception from paragraph (4) for cases within paragraph (3)(a) where— (a) a discrepancy between the name of the holder of a specified document and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be is resolved to the presiding officer’s satisfaction at the time of the application by the voter producing further proof of identity, and (b) the presiding officer has no other reason (arising from any document produced by the voter) to doubt that the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be. (5B) The refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under paragraph (4) does not prevent the voter making a further application under paragraph (1), and paragraphs (1A) to (5A) apply on any further application. (5C) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(a)(ii), “relevant provision” means— (a) where the voter is registered in a register of local electors in Northern Ireland, section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as applied by Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989), and (b) where the voter is registered in a register of local government electors in Great Britain and does not also fall within sub-paragraph (a), paragraph 9(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

(ka) a Half Fare SmartPass issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme for use from 1 April 2004;

;

(m) a biometric immigration document issued in accordance with regulations under section 5 of the UK Borders Act 2007.

(6B) In this rule, a “forged document” means a false document made to resemble a specified document. (6C) No person other than the presiding officer or a clerk may inspect a document produced as proof of a voter’s identity, except as permitted by the voter.

15

In rule 35 (votes marked by presiding officer), in paragraph (2), for the words from “reading” to the end substitute “but as if—

(a) references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to causing a voter’s vote to be marked on a ballot paper, and (b) in rule 34(5B), the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 34 were to paragraph (1) of this rule.

16

(a) references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to granting a voter’s application, and (b) in rule 34(5B), the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 34 were to paragraph (1) of this rule.

17

In rule 37 (tendered ballot papers), in paragraph (2)—

18

In rule 38 (refusal to deliver ballot paper), in paragraph (2), after “that” insert “and to rule 34(5B)”.

19

In rule 41(1) (sealing and delivery of documents etc), after sub-paragraph (da) insert—

(db) the lists provided to the polling station under rule 26(3)(f),

.

20

(1A) The documents referred to in paragraph (1) are— (a) each candidate’s home address form; (b) the lists provided to the polling station under rule 26(3)(f).

21

In form 1 in the Appendix of Forms (form of nomination paper), for note 3 substitute—

(3) Where a candidate commonly uses a name or names— (a) that are different from the candidate’s full names as stated on the nomination paper, or (b) in a different way from the candidate’s full names as stated on the nomination paper, the commonly used name or names may also appear on the nomination paper; but if they do so, the commonly used name or names (instead of any other name) will appear on the ballot paper.

22

In the Appendix of Forms, in form 10 (declaration for the companion of a voter with disabilities)—

23

Schedule 9 (electoral misdemeanours) is amended in accordance with paragraphs 24 to 27.

24

For paragraph 3 substitute—

(3) (1) A person is guilty of undue influence if the person carries out an activity falling within sub-paragraph (3) for the purpose of— (a) inducing or compelling an elector or proxy for an elector to vote in a particular way or to refrain from voting, or (b) otherwise impeding or preventing the free exercise of the franchise of an elector or of a proxy for an elector. (2) A person (“P”) is also guilty of undue influence if P carries out an activity falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of sub-paragraph (3) on account of— (a) an elector or proxy for an elector having voted in a particular way or refrained from voting, or (b) P assuming an elector or proxy for an elector to have voted in a particular way or to have refrained from voting. (3) The following activities fall within this sub-paragraph— (a) using or threatening to use violence against a person; (b) damaging or destroying, or threatening to damage or destroy, a person’s property; (c) damaging or threatening to damage a person’s reputation; (d) causing or threatening to cause financial loss to a person; (e) causing spiritual injury to, or placing undue spiritual pressure on, a person; (f) doing any other act designed to intimidate a person; (g) doing any act designed to deceive a person in relation to the administration of an election. (4) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) an activity is carried out by a person (“P”) if it is carried out— (a) by P, (b) by P jointly with one or more other persons, or (c) by one or more other persons on behalf of P and with P’s authority or consent.

25

After paragraph 5 insert—

(5ZA) (1) A person who is a political campaigner in respect of a local election is guilty of a corrupt practice if the person handles a postal voting document that has been issued to another person for use in that election. (2) But a person who handles a postal voting document for use in a local election is not guilty of a corrupt practice if— (a) the person is responsible for, or assists with, the conduct of that election (for example as a returning officer or a person working under the direction of a returning officer), (b) the person is engaged in the business of a postal operator, or (c) the person is employed or engaged in a role the duties of which include the handling of postal packets on behalf of members of an organisation or the occupants of a communal building, and the handling is consistent with the person’s duties in that capacity. (3) Nor is a person guilty of a corrupt practice if the person— (a) is the other person’s spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild, or (b) provides regular care for, or is employed or engaged by an organisation which provides care for, the other person. (4) It is a defence for a person charged with the corrupt practice to show that the person did not dishonestly handle the postal voting document for the purpose of promoting a particular outcome at a local election. (5) Where sufficient evidence is adduced to raise an issue with respect to the defence under sub-paragraph (4), the court must assume that the defence is satisfied unless the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt that it is not. (6) For the purposes of this paragraph a person is a political campaigner in respect of a local election if any of the following paragraphs applies— (a) the person is a candidate at the election; (b) the person is an election agent of a candidate at the election; (c) the person is employed or engaged by a person who is a candidate at the election for the purposes of that person’s activities as a candidate; (d) the person is a member of a registered political party and carries on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election; (e) the person is employed or engaged by a registered political party in connection with the party’s political activities; (f) the person is employed or engaged by a person within any of paragraphs (a) to (e) to carry on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election; (g) the person is employed or engaged by a person within paragraph (f) to carry on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election. (7) In this paragraph— - “postal operator” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (see section 27(3) to (5) of that Act); - “postal voting document” means a postal ballot paper, declaration of identity or envelope that has been issued to a person by the returning officer for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a local election; - “registered political party” means a party registered under Part 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. (8) For the purposes of this paragraph, an envelope— (a) that is not a postal voting document, but (b) that contains a postal ballot paper or declaration of identity that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a local election, is to be treated as if it were a postal voting document that has been issued to the person for use in the election. (9) In this paragraph, any reference to a person who is “engaged” by another person, or to a person who provides care for another person, includes a reference to a person who is engaged or provides care otherwise than for payment or promise of payment. (10) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(a), two people living together as if spouses of each other are treated as if they were spouses or civil partners of each other.

26

(1A) A person (“P”) is guilty of an illegal practice if P applies for the appointment of a proxy to vote for P— (a) at a local election, where P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at that election, or at local elections, for four or more other electors; (b) at a local election where— (i) P is or will be registered in the register of local electors otherwise than by virtue of a service qualification, and (ii) P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at that election, or at local elections, for two or more other electors none of whom is registered in a register of local electors by virtue of a service qualification; (c) at local elections, where P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at a local election, or at local elections, for four or more other electors; (d) at local elections, where— (i) P is or will be registered in the register of local electors otherwise than by virtue of a service qualification, and (ii) P knows that the person to be appointed is already appointed as proxy to vote at a local election, or at local elections, for two or more other electors none of whom is registered in a register of local electors by virtue of a service qualification.

(4) A person is also guilty of an illegal practice if the person votes as proxy— (a) for more than four electors— (i) at a local election, or (ii) where the polls for two or more local elections are held on the same day, at those elections taken together; (b) for more than two electors— (i) at a local election, or (ii) where the polls for two or more local elections are held on the same day, at those elections taken together, where the person knows that more than two of those electors are registered in a register of local electors otherwise than by virtue of a service qualification.

(6A) For the purpose of determining whether an application for a ballot paper constitutes an offence under sub-paragraph (2)(a)(i) or (3)(a)(i), a previous application is to be disregarded if the applicant’s failure to vote on that occasion resulted only from a failure to produce satisfactory proof of identity.

27

(3A) A person is guilty of an electoral offence if the person— (a) except for some purpose authorised by law, obtains or attempts to obtain information, or communicates at any time to any other person any information, as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of a ballot paper sent to a person for voting by post at a local election; (b) except for some purpose authorised by law, obtains or attempts to obtain information, or communicates at any time to any other person any information, as to the official mark on a ballot paper sent to a person for voting by post at a local election; (c) obtains or attempts to obtain information, in the circumstances mentioned in sub-paragraph (3B), as to the candidate for whom a person voting by post at a local election (“V”) is about to vote or has voted; or (d) communicates at any time to any other person information obtained in contravention of paragraph (c). (3B) The circumstances referred to in sub-paragraph (3A)(c) are where V is about to mark, is in the process of marking, or has just marked, a ballot paper sent to V for voting by post at the election. (3C) But— (a) a person (“E”) who is voting by proxy is not guilty of the offence under sub-paragraph (3A) if E obtains or attempts to obtain from the person appointed as E’s proxy information as to a matter mentioned in paragraph (a) or (c) of that sub-paragraph that relates to E’s vote, and (b) a person who is appointed as proxy for an elector is not guilty of the offence under sub-paragraph (3A) if the person communicates to that elector information as to a matter mentioned in paragraph (a) or (c) of that sub-paragraph that relates to that elector’s vote. (3D) Sub-paragraph (3A)(c) and (d) does not apply where the purpose (or main purpose) for which the information is sought or communicated is its use for the purposes of— (a) a published statement relating to the way in which voters intend to vote or have voted at the election, or (b) a published forecast as to the result of that election which is based on information given by voters. (3E) In sub-paragraph (3D)— (a) “forecast” includes estimate; (b) “published” means made available to the public at large or to any section of the public, in whatever form and by whatever means; (c) the reference to the result of the election is a reference to the result of the election either as a whole or so far as any particular candidate or candidates at the election is or are concerned. (3F) A person voting as proxy for an elector at a local election is guilty of an electoral offence if the person— (a) communicates at any time to any person other than that elector any information as to the candidate for whom the person is about to vote, or has voted, as proxy for that elector; or (b) except for some purpose authorised by law, communicates at any time to any person other than that elector any information as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of a ballot paper sent or delivered to the person for voting as proxy for that elector.

(5) A person who has undertaken to assist a relevant voter to vote at a local election is guilty of an electoral offence if the person communicates at any time to any person except that voter any information as to— (a) the candidate for whom the voter intends to vote or has voted, or (b) the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given for the use of the voter. (6) In sub-paragraph (5) “relevant voter” means a voter who is blind, has another disability, or is unable to read.

Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

28

(1A) A person is not capable of being appointed to vote, or voting, as proxy at a local election unless the person is or will be registered in— (a) a register of local electors in Northern Ireland, or (b) a register of local government electors in Great Britain maintained under section 9 of the 1983 Act.

(4) A person— (a) is not entitled to vote as proxy at a local election on behalf of more than two electors who do not fall within sub-paragraph (4A), but (b) subject to paragraph (a), is entitled to vote as proxy at a local election on behalf of up to four electors. (4A) An elector falls within this sub-paragraph if the elector is registered in a register of local electors in pursuance of a service declaration. (4B) Where the polls for two or more local elections are held on the same day, references in sub-paragraph (4) to a local election are to all of those elections taken together.

29

In paragraph 9(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (additional requirements for applications for appointment of a proxy), after “name” insert “, date of birth”.

Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989

30

(ba) subsection (1)(ba) is omitted;

.

(18A) In Schedule 2, references to applications under sections 13BD, 13BE and 13C and documents or cards issued under any of those sections are to be disregarded, and the following are omitted— (a) in paragraph 1A— (i) sub-paragraph (1A)(b)(iii); (ii) in sub-paragraph (6), “or a relevant absent voting application”; (iii) sub-paragraphs (7)(a) and (8); (b) in paragraph 5(2), “or with his appointment as a proxy”; (c) paragraphs 5ZA and 5A; (d) in paragraph 13(1)(a), “or paragraph 2”.

Elections Act 2001

31

(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).

Transitional provisions relating to proxy voting

32
33

Consequential repeals

34

The following provisions are revoked—

Part 2 — Elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001

35

Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599) (application with modifications of provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983 etc) is amended as follows.

36

In the table, in the right-hand column of the entry for section 61 of RPA 1983 (other voting offences), after the modifications relating to subsection (1) of that section insert—

In subsection (1A)(a) and (b)(ii) omit the words “, or at parliamentary elections,”.
Omit subsection (1A)(e) and (f)
37

In the table, after the entry for section 112 of RPA 1983 insert—

Section 112A (handling of postal voting documents by political campaigners) In subsection (8), in the definition of “postal voting document”, omit “postal voting statement,”.
38

In the table, for the entry relating to section 115 of RPA 1983 substitute—

Section 114A (undue influence)
39

In the table, after the entry for rule 19A of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 insert—

Rule 19B (preparation of date of birth lists) In paragraph (1A)(b), for the words “register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain” substitute “register of local government electors in Great Britain”.
40

The entries in the right-hand column of the table in relation to Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (Parliamentary elections rules) are amended in accordance with paragraphs 41 to 43.

41

In the entry for rule 31 (notification of requirement of secrecy), omit the words in the right-hand column.

42

In the entry for rule 37 (voting procedure), before the paragraph beginning “In paragraph (1E)(b)” insert—

In paragraph (1DC), for sub-paragraph (b) substitute— b where the voter is registered in a register of local government electors in Great Britain and does not also fall within sub-paragraph (a), paragraph 9(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 or section 8(7) of the Representation of the People Act 1985.
43

Against the entry for rule 38 (votes marked by presiding officer), after the paragraph beginning “In paragraph (1)” insert—

In paragraph (1A), for “vote to be marked on a ballot paper” substitute “ballot paper to be marked”.
44

In the table, after the entry for rule 53A of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 insert—

Rule 53B (destruction of date of birth lists)
45

In the entry for section 8 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (proxies at elections), in the right-hand column—

In subsection (2A), for “register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain or Northern Ireland” substitute “register of local government electors in Great Britain or a register of local electors in Northern Ireland

;

In subsection (7A), for “subsections (6) and” substitute “subsection”.
46

In the Annex, in the form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities—

Transitional provisions relating to proxy voting

47
48

Schedule 7

Part 1 — Minor and consequential amendments

Representation of the People Act 1983

1

RPA 1983 is amended as follows.

2

In section 4 (entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local government elector), in subsection (4)(b), for “section 2(1)” substitute “section 1B(1)”.

3

In section 202(1) (general provisions as to interpretation), for the definition of “overseas elector’s declaration” substitute—

  • “overseas elector’s declaration” means a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1C of the Representation of the People Act 1985;

.

4

(3ZB) (1) Provision about renewal declarations (within the meaning given by section 1D(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985), including in particular provision about their form and contents. (2) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision conferring functions on the Electoral Commission.

(3) Provision as to the manner in which renewal declarations (within the meaning given by section 1D(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985) are to be transmitted to the registration officer.

(1AA) The provision that may be made under sub-paragraph (1A) includes provision authorising a registration officer, despite provision contained in regulations made by virtue of that sub-paragraph— (a) to require such other kind of evidence as the officer considers appropriate, or (b) to deem such other kind of evidence as the officer considers appropriate to be sufficient or conclusive evidence.

Representation of the People Act 1985

5

In section 12 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (offences as to declarations)—

(1A) In subsection (1) “relevant declaration” means— (a) an overseas elector’s declaration; (b) a renewal declaration (within the meaning given by section 1D(2)).

Finance Act 1996

6

In section 200 of the Finance Act 1996 (domicile for tax purposes of overseas electors), in subsection (3)(a), for “section 1(1)(a)” substitute “section 1(2)(a)”.

Income Tax Act 2007

7

In section 835B of the Income Tax Act 2007 (domicile for income tax purposes of overseas electors), in subsection (3)(a), for “section 1(1)(a)” substitute “section 1(2)(a)”.

Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

8

In section 42 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (tax status of members of the House of Lords: transitional provision), omit subsection (7).

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

9

In section 102(1) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (interpretation of Part 1), for the definition of “overseas elector’s declaration” substitute—

  • “overseas elector’s declaration” means a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1C of the Representation of the People Act 1985.

House of Lords Reform Act 2014

10

In section 4 of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 (effect of ceasing to be a member of the House of Lords), omit subsection (6).

Consequential repeals

11

In consequence of section 14(1), the following are repealed—

Part 2 — Transitional provision

Interpretation of Part

12

In this Part—

Pre-commencement applications for registration in a register of parliamentary electors

13

Overseas electors registered pursuant to pre-commencement applications

14

Postal voting

15

the entitlement ends at that time.

16

Power to make supplementary provision

17

Promoting awareness of changes to overseas elector franchise

18

Schedule 8

Part 1 — Amendments to the Representation of the People Act 1983

1

Ireland or— (i) in relation to a local government election in England, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or (ii) in relation to a local government election in Wales, a relevant citizen of the Union or a qualifying foreign citizen; and

.

Ireland or— (i) in relation to a local government election in England, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or (ii) in relation to a local government election in Wales, a relevant citizen of the Union or a qualifying foreign citizen; and

.

Ireland or— (i) if the declaration is made for the purposes only of the registration of local government electors in England, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or (ii) if the declaration is made for the purposes only of the registration of local government electors in Wales, a relevant citizen of the Union or a qualifying foreign citizen;

;

— (i) in relation to local government elections in England, by a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or (ii) in relation to local government elections in Wales, by a relevant citizen of the Union; and

.

or— (i) in relation to local government elections in England, by a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or (ii) in relation to local government elections in Wales, by a relevant citizen of the Union; and

.

— (i) if the declaration is made for the purposes only of the registration of local government electors in England, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or (ii) if the declaration is made for the purposes only of the registration of local government electors in Wales, a relevant citizen of the Union or a qualifying foreign citizen,

.

— (i) if the declaration is made for the purposes only of the registration of local government electors in England, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, or (ii) if the declaration is made for the purposes only of the registration of local government electors in Wales, a relevant citizen of the Union or a qualifying foreign citizen, of the age appearing from the declaration and as not being subject to any legal incapacity except as so appearing.

(iiia) in the case of a person registered as a local government elector in England or entered in the list of proxies by virtue of being a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights;

;

  • “EU citizen with retained rights” has the meaning given by section 203B;”;
  • “qualifying EU citizen” has the meaning given by section 203A;

.

(203A) (1) In this Act “qualifying EU citizen” means a person who— (a) is a citizen of a country for the time being listed in Schedule 6A, and (b) either— (i) does not require leave under the Immigration Act 1971 to enter or remain in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands, or (ii) does require such leave but for the time being has (or is, by virtue of any enactment, to be treated as having) any description of such leave. (2) The Secretary of State must by regulations add a country to the list in Schedule 6A where— (a) the country is a qualifying country, (b) the United Kingdom and the country intend to become parties to a relevant treaty, and (c) section 20 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (treaties to be laid before Parliament before ratification) applies in relation to the relevant treaty and the requirements of that section have been met such that the relevant treaty may be ratified. (3) The Secretary of State may by regulations remove a country from the list in Schedule 6A where the country ceases to be a party to a relevant treaty to which the United Kingdom is also a party. (4) The Secretary of State must, as soon as reasonably practicable after regulations are made under subsection (2) or (3), give notice of that fact to— (a) registration officers in England, (b) registration officers for elections of police and crime commissioners for police areas in Wales, (c) the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, and (d) the Electoral Commission. (5) In this section— - “the Islands” means the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man; - “qualifying country” means a country— that was a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland, that was part of a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland, or that is formed entirely of two or more former countries, both or all of which were member States immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland; - “ratification”, in relation to a treaty, is to be construed in accordance with section 25(3) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010; - “relevant treaty” means a treaty containing provision relating to eligibility to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections; - “treaty” has the same meaning as in Part 2 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (see section 25 of that Act). (203B) (1) In this Act “EU citizen with retained rights” means a person who— (a) is a citizen of a country falling within subsection (8), (b) was a citizen of the Union immediately before IP completion day, (c) was resident in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands immediately before that day, (d) falls within any of subsections (2) to (4), and (e) is not a qualifying EU citizen. (2) A person falls within this subsection if the person— (a) has UK or Islands leave granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, and (b) has such leave otherwise than in accordance with provision in residence scheme immigration rules for joining family members. (3) A person falls within this subsection if— (a) the person has UK or Islands leave but does not fall within subsection (2), and (b) the requirements of subsection (5) are met in relation to the person. (4) A person falls within this subsection if— (a) the person does not require UK or Islands leave, (b) the person is resident in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands, and (c) the requirements of subsection (5) are met in relation to the person. (5) The requirements referred to in subsections (3)(b) and (4)(c) are that— (a) at all times since the relevant date, the person has either had UK or Islands leave or not required UK or Islands leave, and (b) the person was resident in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands at all times after the relevant date when the person did not require UK or Islands leave. (6) In determining whether the requirement in subsection (5)(a) is met in relation to a person, any period to which subsection (7) applies is to be disregarded if the person was resident in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands during the period. (7) This subsection applies to any period after the relevant date during which the person required UK or Islands leave but did not have it, if at the end of the period the person was granted UK or Islands leave— (a) in pursuance of an application made before the end of the relevant date, or (b) in pursuance of an application made after the relevant date, where the leave was granted— (i) by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, and (ii) otherwise than in accordance with provision in such rules for joining family members. (8) A country falls within this subsection where the country— (a) was a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland, (b) was part of a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland, or (c) is formed of two or more former countries, at least one of which was a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland. (9) In this section a reference to a person having UK or Islands leave includes a reference to a person who is, by virtue of any enactment, to be treated as having such leave. (10) In this section— - “the 1971 Act” means the Immigration Act 1971; - “the Islands” means the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man; - “the relevant date” means 30 June 2021; - “immigration rules” has the same meaning as in the 1971 Act; - “residence scheme immigration rules” means— residence scheme immigration rules within the meaning of Part 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (see section 17(1) of that Act), Appendix EU to the Guernsey immigration rules, Appendix EU to the Isle of Man immigration rules, or Appendix EU(J) to the Jersey immigration rules; - “UK or Islands leave” means leave under the 1971 Act to enter or remain in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands. (11) In this section— - “Guernsey immigration rules” means the rules made in respect of the Bailiwick of Guernsey under sections 1(4) and 3(2) of the 1971 Act as extended to that Bailiwick; - “Isle of Man immigration rules” means the rules made in respect of the Isle of Man under section 3(2) of the 1971 Act as extended to the Isle of Man; - “Jersey immigration rules” means the rules contained in the directions made in respect of the Bailiwick of Jersey under sections 1(4A) and 3(2) of the 1971 Act as extended to that Bailiwick. (12) References in this section to provision in residence scheme immigration rules for joining family members are references to— (a) paragraph EU11A or EU14A of Appendix EU to the immigration rules or provision replacing either of those paragraphs, or (b) provision corresponding to provision within paragraph (a) in the Guernsey immigration rules, the Isle of Man immigration rules or the Jersey immigration rules.

Schedule 6A (1) Luxembourg. (2) Poland. (3) Portugal. (4) Spain.

Part 2 — Amendments in relation to certain local elections in England and Wales

City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957

2
  • “EU citizen with retained rights” has the same meaning as in the Act of 1983 (see section 203B of that Act);

;

  • “qualifying EU citizen” has the same meaning as in the Act of 1983 (see section 203A of that Act);

.

Local Government Act 1972

3

In section 79 of the Local Government Act 1972 (qualifications for election and holding office as member of local authority), as it extends to England and Wales and applies in relation to England—

(2A) In this section “qualifying EU citizen” and “EU citizen with retained rights” have the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (see sections 203A and 203B of that Act).

Greater London Authority Act 1999

4

In section 20 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (qualification to be the Mayor or an Assembly member)—

  • “qualifying EU citizen” and “EU citizen with retained rights” have the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (see sections 203A and 203B of that Act);

.

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

5

In Schedule 5B to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (mayors for combined authority areas), in paragraph 8(3), for the definition of “qualifying citizen” substitute—

  • “qualifying citizen” means a person who is— a qualifying Commonwealth citizen (within the meaning given by section 79 of the Local Government Act 1972), a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen (within the meaning given by section 203A of the Representation of the People Act 1983), or an EU citizen with retained rights (within the meaning given by section 203B of that Act).

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

6

— (i) disqualified as a peer from voting as an elector at parliamentary elections, or (ii) a qualifying EU citizen, or an EU citizen with retained rights, who has attained the age of 18

.

— (i) disqualified as a peer from voting as an elector at parliamentary elections, or (ii) a qualifying EU citizen, or an EU citizen with retained rights, who has attained the age of 18,

.

  • “qualifying EU citizen” and “EU citizen with retained rights” have the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (see sections 203A and 203B of that Act);

.

Part 3 — Amendments in relation to certain elections in Northern Ireland

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

7

In Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (local elections rules), in the Appendix of Forms, in form 2 (consent to nomination), for “or a citizen of another Member State of the European Union” substitute “, qualifying EU citizen (within the meaning of section 203A of the Representation of the People Act 1983) or EU citizen with retained rights (within the meaning of section 203B of that Act)”.

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

8

In section 3 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 (qualifications)—

Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989

9
  • “qualifying EU citizen” and “EU citizen with retained rights” have the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (see sections 203A and 203B of that Act);

.

  • Sections 203A and 203B (meaning of “qualifying EU citizen” and “EU citizen with retained rights”).
  • Schedule 6A (list of countries for the purposes of section 203A).

(1A) In section 4(3)(c)— (a) in sub-paragraph (i), omit “in relation to a local government election in England,”, and (b) omit sub-paragraph (ii) (and the “or” preceding it).

;

(7A) In section 7B— (a) references to the United Kingdom are to be read as references to Northern Ireland; (b) in subsection (3)(e)— (i) in sub-paragraph (i), omit “in England,”, and (ii) omit sub-paragraph (ii) (and the “or” preceding it); (c) in subsection (7)(a)— (i) in sub-paragraph (i), omit “in England,”, and (ii) omit sub-paragraph (ii) (and the “or” preceding it).

;

(11A) In section 15(5)(a)— (a) in sub-paragraph (i), omit “in England,”, and (b) omit sub-paragraph (ii) (and the “or” preceding it). (11B) In section 17(1)(c)— (a) in sub-paragraph (i), omit “in England,”, and (b) omit sub-paragraph (ii) (and the “or” preceding it).

;

(b) in subsection (5)— (i) in the first sentence, omit “, or entered in the list of proxies,”, (ii) in paragraph (b)(iiia), omit “in England or entered in the list of proxies”, and (iii) omit paragraph (b)(iv).

Northern Ireland Act 1998

10

(4A) A person who is a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights is disqualified for membership of the Assembly unless the person is resident for the purposes of section 4(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in— (a) an electoral area in Great Britain, or (b) a district electoral area in Northern Ireland.

(8) In this section, “qualifying EU citizen” and “EU citizen with retained rights” have the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (see sections 203A and 203B of that Act).

Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001

11
Section 203A (meaning of “qualifying EU citizen”)
Section 203B (meaning of “EU citizen with retained rights”)

.

Schedule 6A (list of countries for purposes of section 203A)

.

Part 4 — Transitional provision etc

Holders of elected offices

12

Power to make transitional and saving provision

13

Schedule 9

Part 1 — Common law offences

Offences under the law of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

1

Kidnapping.

2

Murder.

Offences under the law of England and Wales and Northern Ireland

3

False imprisonment.

4

Manslaughter.

Offences under the law of Scotland

5

Abduction.

6

Assault to the danger of life.

7

Assault to severe injury.

8

Assault with intent to rape or ravish.

9

Assault other than a kind listed in paragraphs 6 to 8.

10

Breach of the peace.

11

Culpable homicide.

12

Culpable and reckless conduct.

13

Culpable and reckless endangering of the public.

14

Culpable and reckless fire-raising.

15

Drugging.

16

Extortion.

17

Malicious mischief.

18

Mobbing and rioting.

19

Uttering threats.

20

Wilful fire-raising.

Offences under the law of Northern Ireland

21

Affray.

22

Riot.

Part 2 — Statutory offences

Offences against the Person Act 1861

23

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Offences against the Person Act 1861—

Explosive Substances Act 1883

24

An offence under either of the following provisions of the Explosive Substances Act 1883—

Theft Act 1968

25

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Theft Act 1968—

Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969

26

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969—

Criminal Damage Act 1971

27

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Damage Act 1971—

Protection from Eviction Act 1977

28

An offence under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 (unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier).

Criminal Law Act 1977

29

An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Law Act 1977—

Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977

30

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977—

Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978

31

An offence under article 54 of the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier).

Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

32

An offence under article 172A or 172B of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (aggravated vehicle taking).

Taking of Hostages Act 1982

33

An offence under section 1 of the Taking of Hostages Act 1982 (hostage taking).

Rent (Scotland) Act 1984

34

An offence under section 22 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier).

Public Order Act 1986

35

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Public Order Act 1986—

Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987

36

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987—

Criminal Justice Act 1988

37

An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1988—

Malicious Communications Act 1988

38

An offence under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 (sending communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety).

Malicious Communications (Northern Ireland) Order 1988

39

An offence under article 3 of the Malicious Communications (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (sending communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety).

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

40

An offence under section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (intimidation or annoyance by violence or otherwise).

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

41

An offence under section 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (aggravated trespass).

Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995

42

An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995—

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

43

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997—

Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

44

An offence under either of the following provisions of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997—

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

45

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998—

Communications Act 2003

46

An offence under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 (improper use of public electronic communications network).

Sexual Offences Act 2003

47

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003—

Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

48

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008—

Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 9)

49

An offence under any of the following provisions of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009—

Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13)

50

An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010—

Serious Crime Act 2015

51

An offence under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship).

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 14)

52

An offence under section 3 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (racially aggravated harassment).

Part 3 — Inchoate offences

53

Schedule 10

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

1

(c) that an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc) has effect in relation to the candidate.

Local Government Act 1972

2

(db) in the case of a disqualification by virtue of an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc), on the date the office is vacated in accordance with section 31 of that Act (vacation of office etc);

;

(1A) In a case where subsection (1)(db) and one or both of subsections (1)(d) and (1)(da) apply in relation to a vacancy, the vacancy is to be deemed to have occurred on the date mentioned in subsection (1)(db).

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

3

(2) Where a councillor becomes disqualified for being a councillor by reason of both— (a) an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc), and (b) section 4(1)(cc) (disqualification by reason of imprisonment etc for an offence), section 31 of the Elections Act 2022 (vacation of office) applies in relation to the vacation of the office (and accordingly subsection (1) does not apply).

Representation of the People Act 1983

4

Northern Ireland Act 1998

5

Greater London Authority Act 1999

6

(ib) by virtue of an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc),

.

(fa) in the case of disqualification by virtue of an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc), on the date the office is vacated in accordance with section 31 of that Act (vacation of office etc);

;

(1A) In a case where subsection (1)(fa) and (f) (in the case of a conviction) apply in relation to a vacancy, the vacancy is to be regarded as occurring on the date mentioned in subsection (1)(fa).

(ib) by virtue of an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc),

.

Government of Wales Act 2006

7

(aa) section 31 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc);

;

(6A) A person subject to a disqualification order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc).

Armed Forces Act 2006

8

(236A) (1) This section applies where— (a) a person (“the offender”) is convicted of a qualifying section 42 offence by a court, (b) the offender was aged 18 or over when the offence was committed, and (c) the court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the offence is aggravated by hostility related to persons falling within any of sections 32 to 34 of the Elections Act 2022. (2) The court must, when dealing with the offender for the offence, also make an order (a “disqualification order”) that the offender is disqualified, for the period of 5 years beginning with the date on which the order is made— (a) for being nominated for election to a relevant elective office, and (b) for being elected to or holding a relevant elective office. (3) Subsection (2) does not apply where the court considers that there are particular circumstances relating to the offence or to the offender which would make it unjust in all the circumstances to make the order; and in such a case the court must state in open court the reasons for not making the order. (4) For the purposes of this section an offence is aggravated by hostility related to persons falling within any of sections 32 to 34 of the Elections Act 2022 if— (a) at the time of committing the offence, or immediately before or after doing so, the offender demonstrated towards the victim of the offence hostility based on the victim being (or being presumed to be) a person falling within any of those sections, or (b) the offence was motivated (wholly or partly) by hostility towards persons falling within any of those sections in their capacity as such. (5) For the purposes of subsection (4) it is immaterial whether or not the offender's hostility is also based, to any extent, on any other factor not mentioned in that subsection. (6) For the purpose of deciding whether to make a disqualification order the court may consider evidence led by the parties to the proceedings. (7) It is immaterial whether evidence led in pursuance of subsection (6) would have been admissible in the proceedings in which the offender was convicted. (8) Where a qualifying section 42 offence is found to have been committed— (a) over a period of 2 or more days, or (b) at some time during a period of 2 or more days, it is to be taken for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) to have been committed on the last of those days. (9) For the purposes of any appeal against a disqualification order— (a) references in section 141 to a finding or punishment include the making of a disqualification order; (b) references in section 16A of the Court Martial Appeals Act 1968 to passing a sentence include making a disqualification order. (10) In this section— - “court” means the court or officer sentencing the offender; - “presumed” means presumed by the offender; - “qualifying section 42 offence” means an offence under section 42 (criminal conduct) as respects which the corresponding offence under the law of England and Wales is an offence listed in Schedule 9 to the Elections Act 2022; - “relevant elective office” has the same meaning as in Part 5 of the Elections Act 2022 (see section 37 of that Act). (236B) References (however expressed) in any enactment to an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 include references to an order under section 236A.

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

9

(e) in the case of disqualification by virtue of an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification of offenders for holding elective office etc), on the date the office is vacated in accordance with section 31 of that Act (vacation of office etc).

;

(2A) In a case where subsection (1)(e) and (d) (in the case of a disqualification by virtue of section 66(3)(c)) apply in relation to a vacancy, the vacancy is to be regarded as occurring on the date mentioned in subsection (1)(e).

Sentencing Act 2020

10
Elections Act 2022 Elections Act 2022 Elections Act 2022
section 30 disqualification order Schedule 9 offence within the meaning of section 30 of that Act.

Schedule 11

Candidates etc at parliamentary, Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections

1

Candidates etc at elections to the Scottish Parliament

2

Candidates etc at elections to Senedd Cymru

3

would be guilty of an offence under section 48(1), and

Candidates etc at local elections in Scotland

4

Candidates etc at local elections in Northern Ireland

5

Candidates at police and crime commissioner elections

6

MPs and recall petitions

7

Schedule 12

Supply of information etc

1

Court order for disclosure of information etc

2
3

Power to make copies and records

4

A relevant enforcer, or a person authorised by a relevant enforcer, may make copies or records of any information or material provided under this Schedule.

Authorisation to be in writing

5

An authorisation of a person by a relevant enforcer under this Schedule must be in writing.

Legal professional privilege

6

Nothing in this Schedule requires a person to provide anything in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege (or in Scotland to confidentiality of communications) could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Admissibility of information

7

unless evidence relating to it is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, in the proceedings by or on behalf of P.

Application of restrictions on disclosure

8

Meaning of “relevant enforcer”

9

In this Schedule “relevant enforcer” means the Electoral Commission or a constable.

Voter identification

Power to make regulations about registration, absent voting and other matters

Restriction of period for which person can apply for postal vote

Handling of postal voting documents by political campaigners

Handing in postal voting documents

Limit on number of electors for whom a proxy can vote

Requirement of secrecy

Undue influence

Assistance with voting for persons with disabilities

Candidate nomination paper: commonly used names

Home address form: statement of local authority area

Local elections and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland

Simple majority system to be used in elections for certain offices

Extension of franchise for parliamentary elections: British citizens overseas

Voting and candidacy rights of EU citizens

Strategy and policy statement

Examination of duty to have regard to strategy and policy statement

Membership of the Speaker’s Committee

Criminal proceedings

Notional expenditure: use of property etc on behalf of candidates and others

Codes of practice on expenses

Authorised persons not required to pay expenses through election agent

Declaration of assets and liabilities to be provided on application for registration

Prohibition on entities being registered political parties and recognised third parties at same time

Section 24: transitional provision

Restriction on which third parties may incur controlled expenditure

Third parties capable of giving notification for purposes of Part 6 of PPERA

Recognised third parties: changes to existing limits etc

Code of practice on controls relating to third parties

Disqualification orders

Vacation of office etc

Candidates etc

Holders of relevant elective offices

Campaigners

Election etc of a person to the House of Commons who is subject to a disqualification order

Power to amend Schedule 9

Interpretation of Part

Minor and consequential amendments

Definitions relating to electronic material and publication

Definitions relating to parties etc

Requirement to include information with electronic material

Electronic material to which section 41 applies: paid-for material

Purposes referred to in section 42

Electronic material to which section 41 applies: other electronic material

Purposes referred to in section 44

Electronic material relating to more than one candidate or future candidate

Exceptions to section 41

Offence of breaching section 41

Order to take down electronic material in breach of section 41

Enforcement by the Commission

Notice to take down electronic material in breach of section 41

Further provision about notice under section 51

Supply of information

Guidance

Information in Commission’s annual report

Notices

Proceedings for an offence under this Part

Offences committed by bodies corporate

Offences committed by unincorporated associations etc

Regulations under this Part

Meaning of “the Commission”

Review of operation of Act

Amendments of RPA 1983

Amendments to the Representation of the People Act 1983

Power to remove signature requirements

Power to make provision about unique reference numbers: elections in Northern Ireland

Consequential repeals

Representation of the People Act 2000

Transitional provision

Representation of the People Act 1983

Representation of the People Act 1985

Representation of the People Act 2000

Termination of certain proxy appointments on the specified day

Termination of applications for certain proxy appointments on the specified day

Local Government Act 1972

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Representation of the People Act 1983

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989

Elections Act 2001

Transitional provisions relating to proxy voting

Consequential repeals

Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001

Transitional provisions relating to proxy voting

Representation of the People Act 1983

Representation of the People Act 1985

Finance Act 1996

Income Tax Act 2007

Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

House of Lords Reform Act 2014

Consequential repeals

Interpretation of Part

Pre-commencement applications for registration in a register of parliamentary electors

Overseas electors registered pursuant to pre-commencement applications

Postal voting

Power to make supplementary provision

Promoting awareness of changes to overseas elector franchise

City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957

Local Government Act 1972

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989

Criminal Justice Act 1988

Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001

Holders of elected offices

Power to make transitional and saving provision

Offences under the law of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Offences under the law of England and Wales and Northern Ireland

Offences under the law of Scotland

Offences under the law of Northern Ireland

Offences against the Person Act 1861

Explosive Substances Act 1883

Theft Act 1968

Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969

Criminal Damage Act 1971

Protection from Eviction Act 1977

Criminal Law Act 1977

Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977

Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978

Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Taking of Hostages Act 1982

Rent (Scotland) Act 1984

Public Order Act 1986

Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987

Criminal Justice Act 1988

Malicious Communications Act 1988

Malicious Communications (Northern Ireland) Order 1988

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Communications Act 2003

Sexual Offences Act 2003

Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 9)

Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13)

Serious Crime Act 2015

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 14)

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

Local Government Act 1972

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Representation of the People Act 1983

Northern Ireland Act 1998

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Government of Wales Act 2006

Armed Forces Act 2006

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Sentencing Act 2020

Candidates etc at parliamentary, Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections

Candidates etc at elections to the Scottish Parliament

Candidates etc at elections to Senedd Cymru

Candidates etc at local elections in Scotland

Candidates etc at local elections in Northern Ireland

Candidates at police and crime commissioner elections

MPs and recall petitions

Supply of information etc

Court order for disclosure of information etc

Power to make copies and records

Authorisation to be in writing

Legal professional privilege

Admissibility of information

Application of restrictions on disclosure

Meaning of “relevant enforcer”

Editorial notes

[^key-fc75bb01d29cf985a9d97ecb34d63713]: S. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-db0efeea24b70fe7e87385b3c269a0ca]: S. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-4f38038067cba97f69bb2614627c09e5]: S. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-362b80ab6dbfff2d2fafe9e8e5e2adb9]: S. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-7d79ac4bb256005108307bc58e995831]: S. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-12f3922077f6d8887bea55eb204a6fce]: S. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fb3897367138914e2cd8c02a110c32e4]: S. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-081f3bfcadb1607e8bd9fb361d817f05]: S. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-7eea9815a0ad232699683e679d02f773]: S. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d5662ef06468bf57da57a72d0419a1f3]: S. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-844897ac52611fbccc9b3e0bfc27fe73]: S. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bce066b9f912693ec0472e42df1e4716]: S. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bd6c1b91536307524a3da074765651a7]: S. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-06364dc28c075058926c7098219239f5]: S. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-aa4c4457c76257402613f0d7795f708b]: S. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-633dee962302130dddc5e53c2995414e]: S. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-82e28fff4b2f44967bfe52410bf1b575]: S. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5de6ea9047332cd1e610783a06624ed2]: S. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3f60c700bf0591663fa9b06938ceda4b]: S. 19 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-8ae7d2934a336ffb858bac22860e4aab]: S. 20 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9b296a7c245272ed8b2542f910e5408c]: S. 21 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-94da33c49360490089f7ba7a795b8251]: S. 22 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a98590185571fea49d9d50f1ef2d3864]: S. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-aab27100744fe0300918570b04110555]: S. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-de40651dd0ef3500b452d9f31fa71d0d]: S. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0698644ee37607d8a8bdab5ff5d6edac]: S. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-effd779746f2c45ab9491d78d1a931da]: S. 27 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-89947076cdf7d12c8e2105a0e4f18172]: S. 28 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-df1dd61b20e415f4a353b52639171c28]: S. 29 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-918894739ffd45f86b4cdda82b584ce1]: S. 30 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-eda31344aed2cf29e3392802ac3ed208]: S. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-764de3519fc086d74bcaad88cfe279af]: S. 32 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-767169a29d7254701890565d7ef894b0]: S. 33 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5b0ca9dc2073af0eefd9c8b1c6c45a36]: S. 34 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bb89a1cc9989816233ca8d005593c5b2]: S. 35 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d55369cbed087ae731ca7f7ea0c221e0]: S. 36 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e9edf31e75b8a62bfd60c3f0b7d705fc]: S. 37 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1ddbfe3faa7afdabbad560f6cab28c17]: S. 38 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-737640c5c5b0816bc9065538ca1fa21c]: S. 39 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bdfc691aaee29971908a48a760f4a7ff]: S. 40 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d1435f2e7fd587c9faa3dc802956c8ef]: S. 41 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0a665f178412bbeb2d354b4af767f289]: S. 42 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6403fb5855f1752f041aa616dd74a346]: S. 43 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-47526858ea34bf35e6b6bed90afc7feb]: S. 44 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e492ce1154f2c557e2eedd5880a8bf46]: S. 45 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-917619bd24a89e5d38e98d587606584d]: S. 46 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bb8c0dc422bb033e1d1fe760a531cbb7]: S. 47 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ad01acbb67d7d884f3af0a2afaf3e788]: S. 48 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d7890e844fec7d886bf32e235e4bf587]: S. 49 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-f01de5d7fceaae974200a6b750d9dd34]: S. 50 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6edfd5d60677b4169e548a0c274f401f]: S. 51 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-45629be3b1e7f2afdfac74f51baae8a2]: S. 52 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-f373383b5d6b819ae7a187b0f945315c]: S. 53 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-218a977c40ee0498112ce05fd94b99a2]: S. 54 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-93d15c2ff42edefa4810a3297f4e32e0]: S. 55 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3a6e3d7b0eefc8601fa6f36942d45665]: S. 56 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-55ec8a1074f371b87164c5c066d8fa75]: S. 57 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1fc88cf230aa45c47e672c55390e4f05]: S. 58 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-2f8648f620758177f47f79485545b6e5]: S. 59 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1c7cb44ac07c6f84089b5f1d51301e33]: S. 60 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-34ab396bae020c9735fb4ded65b1af02]: S. 61 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0b523b3dc3c86ec5538cdd26930e2af5]: S. 62 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(3)

[^key-b68648031c654438d7e79768c0a27a2c]: S. 63 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(3)

[^key-b7596816828a750f520925bd218acf9f]: S. 64 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(3)

[^key-88481c5bd2dddd3cc32725fb2183cf14]: S. 65 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(3)

[^key-c9ff59311b9cd697858822386986f698]: S. 66 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(3)

[^key-ce2752431b6213eec6ef9c8147a6d740]: S. 67 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(3)

[^key-4cdc3905de27b201ca80ba3b16ad19f3]: S. 68 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(3)

[^key-071810feab126ee20424962a241929a5]: Sch. 1 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-cf6e12b70c81ac206ade11f4131709ed]: Sch. 1 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e7d1277f355d21e37878e2445e623fcb]: Sch. 1 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-175de6c934da310ab04c13b89ea4dc54]: Sch. 1 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-b28f34bbb11b0caaaf419d2fc8c3f843]: Sch. 1 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a41b9a0b986f7e7062e8018a3792c64a]: Sch. 1 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-00ceea30006d9541b0ecf1a32932c8c4]: Sch. 1 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-f3c4c13679413d001fcf4fa62d8a6fa3]: Sch. 1 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-09e63c0dee8a3b83173d8ebb1015f804]: Sch. 1 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-8f364812f0801b2f59607671c40dafee]: Sch. 1 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c05ae06c0d913eec69dce2948b114527]: Sch. 1 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9652821e25b03d4b8a7ba0f7e0863670]: Sch. 1 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-213ebc1a92b64bb4d114eaf35a30671c]: Sch. 1 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-eeaa371740950ac89de6cad1f353e609]: Sch. 1 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ad065afc22ccca1f138323e51b003536]: Sch. 1 para. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ed8490449315b956dd668f1940e64f3d]: Sch. 1 para. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6084fc8e59810325b392e07ae87f4b33]: Sch. 1 para. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-71421dcd4c19b7f600f1cb2b1f05243d]: Sch. 1 para. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-f242888e50d856efd8ca99b3ee8559c1]: Sch. 1 para. 19 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-645cd53a08bf40ea7eeaa41fa853a75a]: Sch. 1 para. 20 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ee9ea1bdf444bb7121d8be95b8beeeac]: Sch. 1 para. 21 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-06b91cb0bddfe65b2d8b7c65d423ac10]: Sch. 1 para. 22 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fd9e5dec38d5ad625778563f5ce31022]: Sch. 1 para. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a621b7fae30b5e5c79d1f5c164b05ea5]: Sch. 1 para. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ae80b5f31b2d872c157b083afa433e64]: Sch. 1 para. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-748236c896c07157e3bf880d2775c279]: Sch. 1 para. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c9dc60b2268a40955de8e0cf39d2f7ba]: Sch. 1 para. 27 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5963d2ed360c5dfb94f332ec7aaa5a4c]: Sch. 1 para. 28 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-377e9834a7ab102e53c65174f4e9a957]: Sch. 1 para. 29 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-70456bdda88396677eabc8a955c1c17f]: Sch. 1 para. 30 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c2e874690869e7585baf5870a5267fd0]: Sch. 1 para. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5f603015423450201bc22ba7a748517e]: Sch. 1 para. 32 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3c9e1951364f91204f360be9eea20e8d]: Sch. 1 para. 33 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-efc3b72394f55fd3cb25ca0cd8921110]: Sch. 1 para. 34 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1b8cb20b8093f4d9e43cb4d802874bf4]: Sch. 1 para. 35 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-57eadb403563e40b23f608c00163acca]: Sch. 1 para. 36 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9e8ea6970abef5d0433b304864568339]: Sch. 1 para. 37 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d316ed2e71f89aead58202d4a9e4e202]: Sch. 1 para. 38 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-94053021857cdd11a7bdbc3b9cd720f8]: Sch. 1 para. 39 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-68bd374c69e72b85e701eca2ee28256e]: Sch. 1 para. 40 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6a593bd1babebfe6c1c6974b1b4489b4]: Sch. 2 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0c3c2879a87bbd1d319e14edf99d20cf]: Sch. 2 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-deab433d9d3dd0a396357601bdc2ea37]: Sch. 2 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1c525db3fe6dc837eeb96de4a5f2fc2c]: Sch. 2 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fa1d32f991605f8b301c5cc2fbeb4aab]: Sch. 2 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-94ee5472dd7639239ee19c2366c6825e]: Sch. 2 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-930f617bb35d6c7db7e49354b4fc1ab6]: Sch. 2 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d4567c69abd21f4ec3b752b820e891ee]: Sch. 2 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ff25223d02aa688de1b9758fb2800dc4]: Sch. 2 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a36ba9da89c5df3087385459278272d4]: Sch. 2 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-cdb032afea9eca60bf9786f9193063d3]: Sch. 2 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-cf48028d99ee3d44107759a0324c089d]: Sch. 2 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9e407ef147d9e7626ea5203e7423d706]: Sch. 2 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ddb8751eb14c8a9fc63923977cba3815]: Sch. 2 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-2254010fd27da034ad807689e10f8e58]: Sch. 3 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6d232a3b0b52cce423d5893bb6be93cc]: Sch. 3 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-99599e88dda83afcbf30b33ea3d68190]: Sch. 3 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-077d6cd47dd65b2819c1aec249491679]: Sch. 3 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fbb1d0c519e72a84d0467b5895ac6821]: Sch. 4 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-146ac1fcef56a88a3f5eaeafb47ed3fa]: Sch. 4 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-b61ddaf1d0e5efb99f3ac38bfbeb2829]: Sch. 4 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-19be869c73b6e0e21b10f5e1af9059c2]: Sch. 4 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-b45335df9b86a73b9df8b8e2d83dc7de]: Sch. 4 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9ca06eb03ee97675290cde52f84b1b14]: Sch. 4 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-774e4e634e167d37fd5470d9a0ac08ee]: Sch. 4 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ef9e3111cc7452083785ba7bf3e78565]: Sch. 4 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d993674c504e91f40fc9a34b0b539c32]: Sch. 4 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5d695ae2d05e1b52e2e620824dfd80bd]: Sch. 4 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-114ac52f83cb7e9a2c27844998634756]: Sch. 4 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6f0f3a57d79592ad2002c7c95420ce7f]: Sch. 5 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-2457a6ae51c90b720092ebc2060d11ac]: Sch. 5 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-32bdafe246c66f2cdae109bea964e7d8]: Sch. 5 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-2a592968f5e4ba1caf7b116b11eb1192]: Sch. 5 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9448245c170a878e764551174e6fe333]: Sch. 5 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-978b71cef20592e2a7ff367fec2710a9]: Sch. 5 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-26cd6a0957ef548137b1c937e0264e49]: Sch. 5 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3a30fb9796a9f97ddd67c5d3ec209fbc]: Sch. 6 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9917b59803dd446f6d888805fd8d223a]: Sch. 6 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fd897603db7b167e6ea56883846bd3c9]: Sch. 6 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fe2c19ef15e0f52f6d64405755f04e71]: Sch. 6 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-00c568b533a3cb2fa518854c34cbb907]: Sch. 6 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-8294ce610e3f95cac046e148fc32b940]: Sch. 6 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c10c56e0cfcd13b8e29e74e6ec5a022f]: Sch. 6 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e7152402ed9c3a74fd2547546c0c40ce]: Sch. 6 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c571c8f9cfcf989d861efa45537acdfd]: Sch. 6 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9bfdf72a91db0c7b368c1fefe1ea19ee]: Sch. 6 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-be65e67d74774a4c3e27bc52b4eccb43]: Sch. 6 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-8f66f1587c3957c0886f9246dfe81e80]: Sch. 6 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-4ee6234b53c11b3773c4d64dc0e23df2]: Sch. 6 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c261a6ae69dc0aac636b4799a16e08c4]: Sch. 6 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bbe2ae542d9a8527d2604aff449b4eb6]: Sch. 6 para. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-2a8e130258f379cff67ae29bf016de95]: Sch. 6 para. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c59bd38d63d1b092d0f7fbe44b2cbf6c]: Sch. 6 para. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e76ec20a8ca05cab311d6d22d4fc5158]: Sch. 6 para. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0e387c6e825ea339f3634b5fff1f6d9c]: Sch. 6 para. 19 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d9e1e32cb97c3478beca04d13dc036ac]: Sch. 6 para. 20 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fe2275643e6e72bb445ac7eb9b6bee20]: Sch. 6 para. 21 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-b54d0b7dbb69bdbe2fef350ff1daa19c]: Sch. 6 para. 22 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-cdaa00d0aebbfb8569e7102a3a227f3c]: Sch. 6 para. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fdce97c4e4ce8b3cabeb65b54b83ae38]: Sch. 6 para. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d7fe6e47fc16ec0503ce930f00bffca9]: Sch. 6 para. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-792b2df2b8b1ab49128713ca22c40955]: Sch. 6 para. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c7dc8f128ba13e16729d4e168b15fc2f]: Sch. 6 para. 27 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-13bd24e6dcf50e15ccc77042fd9b2332]: Sch. 6 para. 28 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ee5030b53a7c1a8afe1b8703237adea5]: Sch. 6 para. 29 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9854d5724f5026997bf2d87fb5dd7e95]: Sch. 6 para. 30 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c16b7c701d0dd0785cb7070c50bd66ca]: Sch. 6 para. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5c12cfe958fb7d57e42313c053912e22]: Sch. 6 para. 32 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-34eefc71fe51d6e5f3751e45296cf90d]: Sch. 6 para. 33 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-405dcbd71ebec4f2c9c2239fc59554e9]: Sch. 6 para. 34 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3e6e3414c96f0b203f31dc1aa2388774]: Sch. 6 para. 35 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a9e0e6bacde070d13ad5235a79637f5d]: Sch. 6 para. 36 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bcd95f24f8749124b6b79bf5c80b10a3]: Sch. 6 para. 37 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0e1158e36dba9466b4138920812fa949]: Sch. 6 para. 38 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-46f2301743c1fb94f95cf02e38ea01a7]: Sch. 6 para. 39 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e02002b6390d9d263613b32ad51c1a56]: Sch. 6 para. 40 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3d1b69ed989e5c5318df9b533bca00ca]: Sch. 6 para. 41 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a6faf626c8a6e4d943a9a472fb631fdc]: Sch. 6 para. 42 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-f32ea03eff02a49fcd82adc6f1c8dcaf]: Sch. 6 para. 43 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5fb2c957f4b55012e3adf4551ba6121b]: Sch. 6 para. 44 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1659abb556e6c4f555757209b347c3b8]: Sch. 6 para. 45 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-7c329b2958722eebca92adb2bc6c9637]: Sch. 6 para. 46 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-65941c907a7881f5ab585e94777556d1]: Sch. 6 para. 47 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-f7536b846c6ff7f10931729057c43961]: Sch. 6 para. 48 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-48082622a608568ee774bee8a6127ea4]: Sch. 7 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-44d1b3c2ceb9bdce754613f70b965932]: Sch. 7 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-757cdbb69c00e539b8e461166b4e3b11]: Sch. 7 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-879c233f0b886d14f597716a08a78639]: Sch. 7 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5e19c7f01657cd77fd9941fb91ff5814]: Sch. 7 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-968dae7bcf87afd30a3cb1efc0c9777f]: Sch. 7 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-231bae2e89cf91dbe38d0b4ef9d0cbe1]: Sch. 7 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5999eb35d3afdc74404edf53dd241a7b]: Sch. 7 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c79ea1d5eda409f171b6517d3b78331e]: Sch. 7 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9ccb1a46f38acd0fb930ffa0b6a9ee77]: Sch. 7 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d7e621a8941e5ec93cd60a7233c9d111]: Sch. 7 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-65271db1dc04d107276ab193850648ba]: Sch. 7 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-233eb03febf4ba53a950acffec55b018]: Sch. 7 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3c34abdc2e8ce055cea7e7c866d37594]: Sch. 7 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-2581ff6a8b9dd28b868ef956cab86c07]: Sch. 7 para. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-55c55427e6340b43ac52bad31b13b911]: Sch. 7 para. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3a6239b355b8fce03906d09a8f2313d0]: Sch. 7 para. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a3ad78ebf5fbca4e7893728e72953c62]: Sch. 7 para. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-4abcf2b5fda648d2859fc7f877762395]: Sch. 8 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e85ae9751557d598c8dcc5069a1fbe3c]: Sch. 8 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ceba281e91b14f5b854b60b54209e06f]: Sch. 8 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-05d3131e322e960ea851aa19cc41aa9d]: Sch. 8 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c81a5877df5e1994f016eb4baa46dd08]: Sch. 8 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3930b0cac56abe58785b67885b23a74c]: Sch. 8 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-64902008b1947b89f3a9829deaecd9ef]: Sch. 8 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6a2cacedd1aaa592beb916853c999599]: Sch. 8 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-05fbf3712a06df3f399672b68fb0bf13]: Sch. 8 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-bb9109aa8b1cac2f8d50b6898c00f36a]: Sch. 8 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ca9940f9a783813f28a782cd239ab4d1]: Sch. 8 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6681b0c02f7d8c08b97eac1b6771babf]: Sch. 8 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e059d0ebdb04fffe70697b582a81734a]: Sch. 8 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-092da9afa554d57827dd593a457e7a4b]: Sch. 9 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ce17913294aef91bc54b27cffd740d97]: Sch. 9 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-083e55bfb1a3749051eee4fa748caf13]: Sch. 9 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0468c891bc74ecf2da6db1935a9975e4]: Sch. 9 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-10387e13ad425b1c8f68f066d9dbdb00]: Sch. 9 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-a7ef6605bdf848a9421eaec4a5e75e99]: Sch. 9 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-75935553b6d44fd5489e2614c0e6c375]: Sch. 9 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-2ac742fc87e34a7d8e1a5e061fabea90]: Sch. 9 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9b73fc3b284ab14e833e584167098f41]: Sch. 9 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ecea6d61c9b332d9fc6ecebd808ecadc]: Sch. 9 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ec4c54bcd21978ae39b7c88df221a355]: Sch. 9 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-7de02a588aa372d034a5872c4b1b39cc]: Sch. 9 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-346b56560f214254746df7a04ccb635f]: Sch. 9 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-4fc2a6cdcd041373370d17765b6883fe]: Sch. 9 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-37e1fbf1d54afe745adb76fbeff493b4]: Sch. 9 para. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d6d230c70df46e4cc0cb3264028b6012]: Sch. 9 para. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6d32a458e2c40ba12a2cef6aebb35e18]: Sch. 9 para. 17 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-4a5555681f0915d060ece976ed7fba3d]: Sch. 9 para. 18 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-7e1913439b93f8e6e76a75a97700e694]: Sch. 9 para. 19 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-15ca8217e3701e420ecc0be17d002af8]: Sch. 9 para. 20 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e9bf5c3cf6c86ce574a175d88ce57d2f]: Sch. 9 para. 21 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e8b86de7e97be23eee8ab88d1b82090f]: Sch. 9 para. 22 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ed07d198d989a6717f231c5da7507d94]: Sch. 9 para. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e30349d0c8431f5819ef82e7a1e646d0]: Sch. 9 para. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-7dab7d6a4635bea2c4442814c68c8fb3]: Sch. 9 para. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-648fe3b1a84b83f91b7b65d26670db03]: Sch. 9 para. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-e0a6a5c498d6c095ffd3cae603e4535a]: Sch. 9 para. 27 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-43be090c06db8c81d0d57a31197effb7]: Sch. 9 para. 28 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d2b8febe8e7b3ec1a599bbd345e6e534]: Sch. 9 para. 29 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-141438bc188de9eb5164f8439257940f]: Sch. 9 para. 30 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-8a9b8b41eb007afb591ad9307d1b3a0e]: Sch. 9 para. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-5570f1461905300b7231ab1cc95c5a0a]: Sch. 9 para. 32 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-12dd404e0789c4c85b0abe348ca139ac]: Sch. 9 para. 33 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fe2fa4d0d62589d9a451818274e876bf]: Sch. 9 para. 34 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-4e88c44ae728c02971f7442f2536e897]: Sch. 9 para. 35 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-350e7ac1a4bc2a6fb637bcee4e3d8452]: Sch. 9 para. 36 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-ca21af5bd70d68baddbdf4c36d837767]: Sch. 9 para. 37 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-297d369bc8e56bd3584fa1328b9de668]: Sch. 9 para. 38 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-50f07e75cb5e2f7d3e5809e268e4cec9]: Sch. 9 para. 39 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-257d06c0d61f10c692055ae5aa0ef34a]: Sch. 9 para. 40 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-97169ad0792908ab94bafa3aac319bd5]: Sch. 9 para. 41 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-505a1da1c5b726b1874a230004d30788]: Sch. 9 para. 42 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-102a65a0761de27b962738497994b9e6]: Sch. 9 para. 43 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0b3256fa55026eb63aec2d461e7da705]: Sch. 9 para. 44 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-50b7879410d57b2146e12e050a343026]: Sch. 9 para. 45 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9888805d330697f8232cf34b2d1513d3]: Sch. 9 para. 46 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c41a90c94f2a1133a6228f16592bb1be]: Sch. 9 para. 47 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fbbd691506a0f5cb9c10e1ab7eefe915]: Sch. 9 para. 48 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-86a423f9b64d9a442fe73fbe6c98889d]: Sch. 9 para. 49 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-29bc3f27276a0ac92205a09c69871473]: Sch. 9 para. 50 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9f2f0c6cd74db68bf91bb990f607b059]: Sch. 9 para. 51 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d07b0b681b8089678b92e7d772570663]: Sch. 9 para. 52 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-04e73a07c9169393e587e15de78eabfb]: Sch. 9 para. 53 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1835d80a78aae2f069d229a6814c459a]: Sch. 10 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-8813508e1505c0c469822159bccebd22]: Sch. 10 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-393da264314cc6357aeb05b504b12c83]: Sch. 10 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-49052fb28235e7c445443e3b4658297f]: Sch. 10 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-45be767c080c46f17fe3bf0c1491a199]: Sch. 10 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-fe8fcab4fee6a9d260aa78609ec2e318]: Sch. 10 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-db1c797f1cba9d2bd2763468fccaaf51]: Sch. 10 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-642b46d7fd3eb6022c2a54fb3d845fec]: Sch. 10 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-0815f3f24be80dd2c04ec7945f1fdf6c]: Sch. 10 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c97061d432ec2d17cd258c9f7405107c]: Sch. 10 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-cfe6e9060a4a4c501879647b1b12c3c3]: Sch. 11 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-85ee12686fd9e44ec4008294614c544b]: Sch. 11 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-aeee8d2a3123073fd7aa31a26537d5b1]: Sch. 11 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-40e139330e1357de834f417ed3504d6a]: Sch. 11 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-106089a615d8d943f55d9cc50e36a399]: Sch. 11 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-3f01ae07171a9220b33021417400439f]: Sch. 11 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-76abd86e28a425042542e0ba1b38abd3]: Sch. 11 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c584eedb6fdbb2ea99aa435226f64b7d]: Sch. 12 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-d048485f0a4c1a7054dd06e5cfb81563]: Sch. 12 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-c6225d0286e79257e61d6854196dbf7b]: Sch. 12 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-4f6b59b75c89c405ad5d874168886543]: Sch. 12 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-b3c7c536b50170017f649e88bc528fb4]: Sch. 12 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-29333e2d5d98c3cdc8aef0aea7a15162]: Sch. 12 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-6aa06bb8778b9ac1fe451b18f02e5f6c]: Sch. 12 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-9174e77487d7e2414bbc381f88087abf]: Sch. 12 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-cd703fd9823eec601f4d04053a9fcc5d]: Sch. 12 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

[^key-1ba5588a00ba2be05b495a4e4eb4baf0]: S. 16 in force at 19.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/908, reg. 2

[^key-ca189778f456ccc460deeee50e19d967]: S. 17 in force at 19.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/908, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

[^key-aa1541cd31ac7c78a8a3e65c1444bd44]: S. 18 in force at 19.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/908, reg. 2

[^key-c392d372082064db3069d43768036aff]: S. 19 in force at 19.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/908, reg. 2

[^key-65635db10d050298f58155c3e6ee9e28]: S. 1 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(a)

[^key-62017efcbf34334aff7e2fc10c5914b4]: S. 2 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(b)

[^key-332622a6163724ae972ecad316b82f6c]: S. 12 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(c)

[^key-4ccbb7ac2cf4e834ad049acd104fa579]: Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(i)

[^key-a59c55922147bf612f65a55de5d75184]: Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(ii)

[^key-f3bf5e4a28b174d89d2b4bd53004725c]: Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(iii)

[^key-52a5000905d057d63eab407337dfef0b]: Sch. 1 para. 5 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(iv)

[^key-d7cdbe30a469c26c351e94c528b4c22f]: Sch. 1 para. 6 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(v)

[^key-4dd4daa0820be6c226c13a501fe00d59]: Sch. 1 para. 10 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(vi)

[^key-8816fbbaac94ab237559d7c9aabac96c]: Sch. 1 para. 11 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(vii)

[^key-c6ade5c67a245b96e48ded581f1f4e9f]: Sch. 1 para. 15(1) in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(viii)

[^key-b50617201eed9afe54e46ec028c59f94]: Sch. 1 para. 15(3) in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(viii)

[^key-967c46dcff624b42b05ef3194eab577a]: Sch. 1 para. 17(1) in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(ix)

[^key-575afe7050745fd2c604e6a389429278]: Sch. 1 para. 17(8) in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(ix)

[^key-075d282d66719f0c99c046667e9067e5]: Sch. 1 para. 24 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(x)

[^key-29a1af1e099ff8494bedfb8d147f3ba7]: Sch. 1 para. 30 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(xi)

[^key-fe169e21eec5ec4875ed19d04993ac81]: Sch. 1 para. 32 in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(xi)

[^key-2561a5598ff676eea0bb7b4a744ae118]: Sch. 2 para. 1 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-1aaba3f4329681b3f2d10e14dd8cad35]: Sch. 2 para. 2 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-62685751f1fc5c2b7feb1b08d4a12d70]: Sch. 2 para. 3 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-15732359a02f0d52b4f67e71a5fbc500]: Sch. 2 para. 4 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-831860589512f573e0a7fadcd93f5d22]: Sch. 2 para. 5 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-d34fcbd195c376df6326a496f0a1a6f8]: Sch. 2 para. 6 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-901d88e2fbfa29913d512d73931a977c]: Sch. 2 para. 7 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-b990bb6e070395657daefb9c46ceedc8]: Sch. 2 para. 8 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-7ce92f178883367f504950c4d98b4c9b]: Sch. 2 para. 9 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-aabff4d67aa70b9a04ae426fff19eb65]: Sch. 2 para. 10 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-dbcc12fddf0a7784643d7b88607d47e6]: Sch. 2 para. 11 in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-ef937fdb496b043cda1270a2c8ccb8a0]: Sch. 2 para. 14(b)(c) in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(e)

[^key-6c4a3715ee87c7ebf583bf29e4777ab6]: Sch. 6 para. 30(1) in force at 27.8.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(f)(i)

[^key-5c71ba1ecd8d562ae4c8ef201724a75c]: Sch. 6 para. 30(2)(4) in force at 27.8.2022 by S.I. 2022/916, art. 2(f)(ii)

[^key-111a3a6a4afc9b9d5e8b2a534fdc686a]: S. 13 in force at 26.10.2022 (but the amendments made by s.13 do not apply in relation to any election in respect of which the date of the poll specified in the notice of election is before the ordinary day of election in 2023) by S.I. 2022/1093, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

[^key-91f97773c509ed29f3c81e734541ff0b]: Sch. 8 para. 6(1)(2)(4)-(6) in force at 1.11.2023 for specified purposes by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(i)(iv)

Power to remove signature requirements

Representation of the People Act 2000

Transitional provision

Representation of the People Act 1983

Representation of the People Act 1985

Representation of the People Act 2000

Termination of certain proxy appointments on the specified day

Termination of applications for certain proxy appointments on the specified day

Local Government Act 1972

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Representation of the People Act 1983

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989

Elections Act 2001

Transitional provisions relating to proxy voting

Consequential repeals

Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001

Transitional provisions relating to proxy voting

Representation of the People Act 1983

Representation of the People Act 1985

Finance Act 1996

Income Tax Act 2007

Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

House of Lords Reform Act 2014

Consequential repeals

Interpretation of Part

Pre-commencement applications for registration in a register of parliamentary electors

Overseas electors registered pursuant to pre-commencement applications

Postal voting

Power to make supplementary provision

Promoting awareness of changes to overseas elector franchise

City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957

Local Government Act 1972

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989

Northern Ireland Act 1998

Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001

Holders of elected offices

Power to make transitional and saving provision

Offences under the law of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Offences under the law of England and Wales and Northern Ireland

Offences under the law of Scotland

Offences under the law of Northern Ireland

Offences against the Person Act 1861

Explosive Substances Act 1883

Theft Act 1968

Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969

Criminal Damage Act 1971

Protection from Eviction Act 1977

Criminal Law Act 1977

Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977

Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978

Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Taking of Hostages Act 1982

Rent (Scotland) Act 1984

Public Order Act 1986

Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987

Malicious Communications Act 1988

Malicious Communications (Northern Ireland) Order 1988

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Communications Act 2003

Sexual Offences Act 2003

Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 9)

Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13)

Serious Crime Act 2015

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 14)

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

Local Government Act 1972

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

Representation of the People Act 1983

Northern Ireland Act 1998

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Government of Wales Act 2006

Armed Forces Act 2006

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Sentencing Act 2020

Candidates etc at parliamentary, Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections

Candidates etc at elections to the Scottish Parliament

Candidates etc at elections to Senedd Cymru

Candidates etc at local elections in Scotland

Candidates etc at local elections in Northern Ireland

Candidates at police and crime commissioner elections

MPs and recall petitions

Supply of information etc

Court order for disclosure of information etc

Power to make copies and records

Authorisation to be in writing

Legal professional privilege

Admissibility of information

Application of restrictions on disclosure

Meaning of “relevant enforcer”