Representation of the People Act 1983

2 (1) In computing any period of time for the purposes of the Timetable— U.K.

(a) a Saturday or Sunday,

[F1 (b) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, F2 . . . Good Friday or a bank holiday]

(c) a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning,

shall be disregardedF3 ... [F4 , and any such day is not to be treated as a day for the purpose of any proceedings in the Timetable up to the completion of the poll, nor is the returning officer obliged to proceed with the counting of the votes on such a day.]

F5 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (1B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) In this rule “bank holiday” means—

(a) in relation to a general election, a day which is a bank holiday under the M1 Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in any part of the United Kingdom,

(b) in relation to a by-election, a day which is a bank holiday under that Act in that part of the United Kingdom in which the constituency is situated,

but at a general election sub-paragraph (b) and not sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph applies in relation to any proceedings—

(i) commenced afresh by reason of a candidate’s death; F7 ...

F7 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F8 (2A) In relation to a general election, this rule does not apply to a day which is a bank holiday or a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning if [F9 the day was not fixed or appointed as such before the dissolution of Parliament.]

But, in relation to any proceedings commenced afresh by reason of a candidate's death, this paragraph is to be ignored.]

F10 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 rule 2(1)(b) substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 19(5)(a)

F2 Words in Sch. 1 rule 2(1)(b) repealed (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 47, 77, Sch. 1 para. 52; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(w)(bb)(ii)(cc)(v) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 4

F3 Words in Sch. 1 rule 2(1) omitted (15.9.2011) by virtue of Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), s. 7(2), Sch. para. 11(2) (with s. 6)

F4 Words in Sch. 1 rule 2(1) inserted (24.3.2022) by Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(3)(a)

F5 Sch. 1 rule 2(1A) omitted (24.3.2022) by virtue of Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(3)(b)

F6 Sch. 1 rule 2(1B) omitted (24.3.2022) by virtue of Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(3)(b)

F7 Sch. 1 rule 2(2)(ii) and preceding word omitted (15.9.2011) by virtue of Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), s. 7(2), Sch. para. 11(4) (with s. 6)

F8 Sch. 1 rule 2(2A) inserted (15.9.2011) by Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), s. 7(2), Sch. para. 11(5) (with s. 6)

F9 Words in Sch. 1 rule 2(2A) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 2(2A)(a)(b) (24.3.2022) by Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(3)(c)

F10 Sch. 1 rule 2(3) repealed by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), ss. 19(5)(b), Sch. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C3 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

Marginal Citations

M1 1971 c. 80.