The Returning Officer’s Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1990

Made: 14th May 1990

Coming into force: 15th May 1990

The Treasury, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 29(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1983[^f00001], hereby make the following Regulations:—

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Returning Officer’s Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1990 and shall come into force on 15th May 1990.

2

The maximum charges to which the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland as the returning officer responsible for the conduct of a parliamentary election in Northern Ireland shall be entitled in respect of expenses incurred by him, are the amounts specified in the Schedule to these Regulations.

3

The Returning Officers' Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1987[^f00002] are hereby revoked.

SCHEDULE — SCALE OF MAXIMUM EXPENDITURE WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER AS THE RETURNING OFFICER FOR A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN RESPECT OF PAYMENT OF FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS TO PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER TO ASSIST HIM AND HIS DEPUTY ELECTORAL OFFICERS AND ALL OTHER EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN A CONSTITUENCY

1

• (a) For the presiding officer at each polling station (to include all expenses, other than any travelling and overnight subsistence expenses specified in this Schedule)

2

• (a) For one clerk at each polling station

3

• (I) For the employment of persons in connection with the manual preparation and issue of the official poll cards, including charges for superannuation contributions where payable:

• (a) For the initial preparation of the cards:

• For every 100 cards or fraction thereof

4

For the employment of persons in connection with the count and the ballot papers of electors entitled to vote by post, and for all clerical and other assistance employed by the returning officer or deputy returning officer, for the purposes of the election, including charges for day subsistence expenses and for superannuation contributions where payable.

• (a) If the number of entries in the register of electors to be used at the election (as first published) in the constituency does not exceed 50,000

5

Returning officer’s or deputy returning officer'stravelling and overnight subsistence expenses where necessary to make arrangements for the poll or otherwise in connection with the conduct of the election.

6

Travelling and overnight subsistence expenses of presiding officers and poll clerks (including anyexpenses incurred in conveying the ballot boxes in those cases in which presiding officers or poll clerks are responsible for the transport of the boxes to or from the polling stations).

7

Travelling and overnight subsistence expenses of clerical and other assistants employed by the returning officer or deputy returning officer where necessary to make arrangements for the poll or otherwise in connection with the conduct of the election.

8

For printing and providing ballot papers.

9

For printing and providing official poll cards.

10

For printing and providing notices and other documentsrequired in and about the election or poll and costs of publishing the same.

11

For the renting of any building or room for the purpose of the election and for expenses of heating, lighting and cleaning any building or room for such purposes.

12

For adapting and fitting up any building or room for thepurpose of the election (including the provision of voting compartments and any necessary furniture) and restoring it to fit condition for its normal use.

13

For providing ballot boxes, including any repairs.

14

For the conveyance of ballot boxes and ballot papers in those cases where the cost of transport is not included in the travelling expenses of presiding officers and poll clerks under paragraph 1.6 of this Schedule.

15

For every stamping instrument required to be purchased, hired, altered or repaired.

16

For copies of the electoral register.

17

For general stationery, postage, telephone calls, bankcharges and miscellaneous expenses.

Signed

Kenneth Carlisle — David Lightbown — Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury — 14th May 1990

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke and replace the Returning Officers' Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1987 (S.I.1987/900).They prescribe, in relation to Northern Ireland, a revised scale further increasing the maximum charges in respect of expenses incurred by the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland as returning officer for the purposes of or in connection with a parliamentary election.For certain expenses the increase from 1987 is 21% plus an overall addition of £3,300 above the sums paid to the returning officer in respect of the corresponding expenses incurred in connection with the 1987 parliamentary election.Other increases are between 15% and 20% save that the maximum charges prescribed for the presiding officer and poll clerk are increased by 29% and 26% respectively.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1983 c. 2; for the definition of “prescribed” see section 202(1).

[^f00002]: S.I. 1987/900.