Search Legislation

Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

16Prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)In section 75 of the 1983 Act (prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent), at the end insert—

(11)This section does not apply in relation to a local government election in Scotland..

(2)After that section insert—

75AScottish local government elections: prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent

(1)This section applies in relation to a local government election in Scotland.

(2)No person other than a candidate at the election, his election agent or a person authorised in writing by the election agent shall, with a view to promoting or procuring the election of the candidate, incur any expenses on account of—

(a)holding public meetings or organising any public display;

(b)issuing advertisements, circulars or publications; or

(c)otherwise presenting to the electors the candidate or his views or the extent or nature of his backing or disparaging another candidate.

(3)Subsection (2)(c) above does not restrict the publication of any matter relating to the election in—

(a)a newspaper or other periodical;

(b)a broadcast made by the British Broadcasting Corporation; or

(c)a programme included in any service licensed under Part 1 or 3 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42) or Part 1 or 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 (c. 55).

(4)Subsection (2) does not apply to expenses incurred by any person—

(a)which do not exceed in the aggregate the permitted sum (and are not incurred by that person as part of a concerted plan of action); or

(b)in travelling or in living away from home or similar personal expenses.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (4)(a) above—

(a)“the permitted sum” means, in respect of each candidate, £50 together with an additional 0.5p for every entry in the register of local government electors for the electoral area in question as it has effect on the last day for publication of notice of the election; and

(b)expenses are to be regarded as incurred by a person “as part of a concerted plan of action” if they are incurred by that person in pursuance of any plan or other arrangement whereby that person and one or more other persons are to incur, with a view to promoting or procuring the election of the same candidate, expenses which (disregarding subsection (4)(a)) fall within subsection (2) above.

(6)Where a person incurs any expenses required by subsection (2) above to be authorised by the election agent, that person shall, within 21 days after the day on which the result of the election is declared, deliver to the appropriate officer—

(a)a return of the amount of the expenses, stating the election at which, and the candidate in whose support they were incurred;

(b)a declaration by that person (or in the case of an association or body of persons, by a director, general manager, secretary or other similar officer of the association or body) verifying the return and giving particulars of the matters for which the expenses were incurred; and

(c)the authority received from the election agent (which, for the purposes of this section, is to be treated as forming part of the return).

(7)A person is guilty of a corrupt practice if he—

(a)incurs, or aids, abets, counsels or procures any other persons to incur, any expenses in contravention of subsection (2) above; or

(b)makes a declaration required by subsection (6)(b) above which he knows to be false.

(8)A person is guilty of an illegal practice if he fails to deliver any return or declaration as required by subsection (6) above.

(9)The court by or before which a person is convicted of a corrupt or illegal practice under subsection (7) or (8) above may, if the court thinks it just in the special circumstances of the case, mitigate or entirely remit any incapacity incurred under section 173 or 173A of this Act by virtue of the conviction.

(10)A candidate is not liable for, and his election is not void by reason of, a corrupt or illegal practice under subsection (7) or (8) above committed by an agent without his consent or connivance.

(11)Where any act or omission of an association or body of persons (whether corporate or unincorporate) is a corrupt or illegal practice under this section, any person who at the time of the act or omission was a director, general manager, secretary or other similar officer of the association or body, or was purporting to act in any such capacity, is also guilty of the corrupt or illegal practice, unless the person proves—

(a)that the act or omission took place without his consent or connivance; and

(b)that he exercised all such diligence to prevent the commission of the offence as he ought to have exercised having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all the circumstances..

(3)The amendments made by this section are to be taken to have had effect from 16th February 2001.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources