Representation of the People Act 1983

[F1 Guidance by Commission U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 4A inserted (11.9.2006) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 27(5), 77; S.I. 2006/1972, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 5 (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4, Sch. 2)

14 (1) The Electoral Commission (“the Commission”) may prepare, and from time to time revise, a code of practice [F2 for elections other than local government elections in Wales] [F3 giving— U.K.

(a) guidance as to the matters which do, or do not, fall within Part 1 or Part 2 of this Schedule;

(b) guidance (supplementing the definition in section 90ZA(3) above) as to the cases or circumstances in which expenses are, or are not, to be regarded as incurred for the purposes of a candidate’s election];

[F4 (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).]

(2) Once the Commission have prepared a draft code under this paragraph, they must submit it to the Secretary of State for his approval.

(3) The Secretary of State may approve a draft code either without modification or with such modifications as he may determine.

(4) Once the Secretary of State has approved a draft code he shall lay a copy of the draft, whether—

(a) in its original form, or

(b) in a form which incorporates any modifications determined under sub-paragraph (3),

before each House of Parliament.

(5) If the draft incorporates any such modifications, the Secretary of State must at the same time lay before each House a statement of his 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) If no such resolution 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, and

(b) the code is to come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order [F5 made by statutory instrument] appoint,

and the Commission must arrange for it to be published in such manner as they think appropriate.

(8) Sub-paragraph (6) does not prevent a new draft code from being laid before Parliament.

(9) In this paragraph, “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.

(10) In this paragraph references to a draft code include a revised draft code.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 4A para. 14(1) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 1(2); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)

F3 Words in Sch. 4A para. 14(1) substituted (21.7.2009) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), ss. 22, 43(1)(5)(d)

F4 Sch. 4A para. 14(1)(c) inserted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 21(1)(a), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)

F5 Words in Sch. 4A para. 14(7)(b) inserted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 21(1)(b), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)

[F6 14A (1) The Electoral Commission (“the Commission”) may prepare, and from time to time revise, a code of practice for local government elections in Wales giving— E+W

(a) guidance as to the matters which do, or do not, fall within Part 1 or Part 2 of this Schedule;

(b) guidance (supplementing the definition in section 90ZA(3)) as to the cases or circumstances in which expenses are, or are not, to be regarded as incurred for the purposes of a candidate's election.

(2) Once the Commission have prepared a draft code under this paragraph, they must submit it to the Welsh Ministers for approval.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may approve a draft code with or without modifications.

(4) Once the Welsh Ministers have approved a draft code they must lay a copy of the draft, in the form in which they have approved it, before Senedd Cymru.

(5) If the draft incorporates modifications, the Welsh Ministers must at the same time lay before Senedd Cymru a statement of their reasons for making them.

(6) If, within the 40-day period, Senedd Cymru resolves not to approve the draft, the Welsh Ministers must take no further steps in relation to it.

(7) If no such resolution is made within the 40-day period—

(a) the Welsh Ministers must issue the code in the form of the draft laid before Senedd Cymru,

(b) the code comes into force on the date appointed by the Welsh Ministers by order, and

(c) the Commission must arrange for the code to be published in such manner as the Commission think appropriate.

(8) Sub-paragraph (6) does not prevent a new draft code from being laid before Senedd Cymru.

(9) In this paragraph, “the 40-day period”, in relation to a draft code, means the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before Senedd Cymru, no account being taken of any period during which Senedd Cymru is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.

(10) In this paragraph references to a draft code include a revised draft code.]]

Textual Amendments

F6 Sch. 4A para. 14A inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 1(3); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)