Representation of the People Act 1983

Part I U.K. Provisions as to Time

Timetable U.K.

1 U.K. The proceedings at the election shall be conducted in accordance with the following Table.

Timetable

Proceeding	Time
Issue of Writ	In the case of a general election, as soon as practicable after the [F1 dissolution of Parliament F2 ...].
	In the case of a by-election, as soon as practicable after the issue of the warrant for the writ.
[F3 Publication of notice of election.	In the case of a general election, not later than 4 in the afternoon on the second day after that on which the writ is received (and for these purposes the writ is to be taken to have been received on the day after the date of the dissolution of Parliament).	In the case of a by-election, not later than 4 in the afternoon on the second day after that on which the writ is received (and for these purposes the writ is to be taken to have been received on the day after the date of the warrant for the writ).]
Delivery of nomination papers.	In the case of a general election, between the hours of 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon on any day after the date of publication of the notice of election, but not later than the sixth day after the date of the [F4 dissolution of Parliament F5 ...].	[F6 (and for these purposes the writ is to be taken to have been received on the day after the date of the warrant for the writ)]
	In the case of a by-election, the same as in the case of a general election, except that the last day shall be a day fixed by the returning officer and shall be not earlier than the third day after the date of publication of the notice of election nor later than the seventh day after that on which the writ is received.
Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature.	Within the time for the delivery of nomination papers at the election.
The making of objections to nomination papers.	In the case of a general election or a by-election, during the hours allowed for delivery of nomination papers on the last day for their delivery and the hour following; but—
	(a) no objection may be made in the afternoon of that last day except to a nomination paper delivered within 24 hours of the last time for its delivery, and in the case of a nomination paper so delivered no objection may be so made to the sufficiency or nature of the particulars of the candidate unless made at or immediately after the time of the delivery of the nomination paper; and
	(b) the foregoing provisions do not apply to objections made in pursuance of rule 15(2).
Publication of statement of persons nominated.	In the case of a general election or a by-election, [F7 (a) if no objections to nomination papers are made, at the close of the time for doing so, or (b) if any such objections are made, not before they are disposed of but not later than 24 hours after the last time for delivery of nomination papers.]
Polling	In the case of a general election, between the hours of 7 in the morning and 10 at night on the [F8 19th day after the last day for delivery of nomination papers].
	In the case of a by-election, between the hours of 7 in the morning and 10 at night on the day fixed by the returning officer, which shall not be earlier than the [F9 17th] nor later than the [F10 19th] day after the last day for delivery of nomination papers.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 1 rule 1 substituted (15.9.2011) by Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), s. 7(2), Sch. para. 10(2) (with ss. 1-3, 6)

F2 Words in Sch. 1 rule 1 omitted (24.3.2022) by virtue of Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(2)(a)

F3 Words in Sch. 1 rule 1 substituted (24.3.2022) by Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(2)(b)

F4 Words in Sch. 1 rule 1 substituted (15.9.2011) by Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), s. 7(2), Sch. para. 10(3) (with ss. 1-3, 6)

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

F6 Words in Sch. 1 rule 1 inserted (24.3.2022) by Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(2)(c)(ii)

F7 Words in Sch. 1 rule 1 substituted (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 19(2), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(f) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts 2, 4

F8 Words in Sch. 1 rule 1 substituted (24.3.2022) by Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 8(2)(d)

F9 Word in Sch. 1 rule 1 substituted (6.4.2014) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), ss. 14(3)(a), 27(1); S.I. 2014/414, art. 3(a) (with art. 4)

F10 Word in Sch. 1 rule 1 substituted (6.4.2014) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), ss. 14(3)(b), 27(1); S.I. 2014/414, art. 3(a) (with art. 4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

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

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

C3 Sch. 1 rule 1 amended (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Act 2004 (c. 2), s. 8, Sch. para. 1

C4 Sch. 1 rule 1 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by The Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599), art. 3, Sch. 1 (as amended (20.3.2003) by Northern Ireland Assembly Elections Act 2003 (c. 3), s. 1(6); substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, art. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1; and modified (16.2.2011) by Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 (c. 1), s. 19(1), Sch. 8 para. 4)

Computation of time U.K.

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

(a) a Saturday or Sunday,

[F11 (b) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, F12 . . . Good Friday or a bank holiday]

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

shall be disregardedF13 ... [F14 , 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.]

F15 (1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16 (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; F17 ...

F17 (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F18 (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 [F19 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.]

F20 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F11 Sch. 1 rule 2(1)(b) substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 19(5)(a)

F12 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

F13 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)

F14 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)

F15 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)

F16 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)

F17 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)

F18 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)

F19 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)

F20 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)

C5 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C6 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C7 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.