Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

1. Introductory Text

2. Part I The Electoral Commission

   1. Establishment of Electoral Commission and bodies with related functions

      1. 1. Establishment of the Electoral Commission

      2. 2. Speaker’s Committee

      3. 3. Appointment of Electoral Commissioners and Commission chairman

      4. 4. Parliamentary Parties Panel

   2. Commission’s general functions

      1. 5. Reports on elections and referendums

      2. 6. Reviews of electoral and political matters

      3. 7. Commission to be consulted on changes to electoral law

      4. 8. Powers with respect to elections exercisable only on Commission recommendation

      5. 9. Involvement of Commission in changes in electoral procedures

      6. 10. Giving of advice and assistance

      7. 11. Broadcasters to have regard to Commission’s views on party political broadcasts

      8. 12. Policy development grants

      9. 13. Education about electoral and democratic systems

   3. Commission’s electoral boundary functions

      1. 14. Boundary committees

      2. 15. Deputy Electoral Commissioners

      3. 16. Transfer of functions of Boundary Commissions

      4. 17. Transfer of property etc. of the Boundary Commissions

      5. 18. Transfer of functions of Local Government Commission for England

      6. 19. Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

      7. 20. Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

   4. Supplementary

      1. 21. Interpretation of Part I

3. Part II Registration of political parties

   1. Requirement for registration

      1. 22. Parties to be registered in order to field candidates at elections

   2. The registers of political parties

      1. 23. The new registers

   3. Preliminary requirements

      1. 24. Office-holders to be registered

      2. 25. Parties with campaigns officers

      3. 26. Financial structure of registered party: adoption of scheme

      4. 27. Financial structure of registered party: accounting units

   4. Registration

      1. 28. Registration of parties

      2. 29. Emblems

      3. 30. Changes to the register

      4. 31. Notification of changes in party’s officers etc

      5. 32. Confirmation of registered particulars etc

      6. 33. Party ceasing to be registered

      7. 34. Registration of minor parties

      8. 35. Request by Secretary of State

      9. 36. Assistance by Commission for existing registered parties

   5. Supplemental

      1. 37. Party political broadcasts

      2. 38. Amendment of parliamentary elections rules

      3. 39. False statements: offence

      4. 40. Interpretation of Part II

4. Part III Accounting requirements for registered parties

   1. Accounting records

      1. 41. Duty to keep accounting records

   2. Statements of accounts

      1. 42. Annual statements of accounts

      2. 43. Annual audits

      3. 44. Supplementary provisions about auditors

      4. 45. Delivery of statements of accounts etc. to Commission

      5. 46. Public inspection of parties' statements of accounts

      6. 47. Criminal penalty for failure to submit proper statement of accounts

   3. Revision of statements of accounts

      1. 48. Revision of defective statements of accounts

   4. Parties with accounting units

      1. 49. Division of responsibilities in case of party with accounting units

5. Part IV Control of donations to registered parties and their members etc.

   1. Chapter I Donations to registered parties

      1. 50. Donations for purposes of Part IV

      2. 51. Sponsorship

      3. 52. Payments, services etc. not to be regarded as donations

      4. 53. Value of donations

   2. Chapter II Restrictions on donations to registered parties

      1. Permissible donations

         1. 54. Permissible donors

         2. 55. Payments etc. which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors

         3. 56. Acceptance or return of donations: general

         4. 57. Return of donations where donor unidentifiable

      2. Forfeiture of certain donations

         1. 58. Forfeiture of donations made by impermissible or unidentifiable donors

         2. 59. Appeal against order under section 58

         3. 60. Supplementary provisions about orders under section 58

      3. Evasion of restrictions on donations

         1. 61. Offences concerned with evasion of restrictions on donations

   3. Chapter III Reporting of donations to registered parties

      1. Reports to be made by registered parties

         1. 62. Quarterly donation reports

         2. 63. Weekly donation reports during general election periods

         3. 64. Exemptions from section 63

         4. 65. Submission of donation reports to Commission

         5. 66. Declaration by treasurer in donation report

      2. Extension of reporting requirements

         1. 67. Weekly donation reports in connection with elections other than general elections

      3. Reports to be made by donors

         1. 68. Reporting of multiple small donations

      4. Register of donations

         1. 69. Register of recordable donations

   4. Chapter IV Power to make special provision

      1. 70. Special provision for Northern Ireland parties

   5. Chapter V Control of donations to individuals and members associations

      1. 71. Control of donations to individuals and members associations

6. Part V Control of campaign expenditure

   1. Preliminary

      1. 72. Campaign expenditure

      2. 73. Notional campaign expenditure

      3. 74. Officers of registered party with responsibility for campaign expenditure

   2. General restrictions relating to campaign expenditure

      1. 75. Restriction on incurring campaign expenditure

      2. 76. Restriction on payments in respect of campaign expenditure

      3. 77. Restriction on making claims in respect of campaign expenditure

      4. 78. Disputed claims

   3. Financial limits

      1. 79. Limits on campaign expenditure

   4. Returns

      1. 80. Returns as to campaign expenditure

      2. 81. Auditor’s report on return

      3. 82. Delivery of returns to the Commission

      4. 83. Declaration by treasurer as to return under section 80

      5. 84. Public inspection of returns under section 80

7. Part VI Controls relating to third party national election campaigns

   1. Chapter I Preliminary

      1. Controlled expenditure by third parties

         1. 85. Controlled expenditure by third parties

         2. 86. Notional controlled expenditure

         3. 87. Expenditure by third parties which is not controlled expenditure

      2. Recognised third parties

         1. 88. Third parties recognised for the purposes of this Part

         2. 89. Register of notifications for purposes of section 88

   2. Chapter II Financial controls

      1. General restrictions relating to controlled expenditure by recognised third parties

         1. 90. Restriction on incurring controlled expenditure

         2. 91. Restriction on payments in respect of controlled expenditure

         3. 92. Restriction on making claims in respect of controlled expenditure

         4. 93. Disputed claims

      2. Financial limits

         1. 94. Limits on controlled expenditure by third parties

      3. Donations to recognised third parties

         1. 95. Control of donations to recognised third parties

      4. Returns

         1. 96. Returns as to controlled expenditure

         2. 97. Auditor’s report on return

         3. 98. Delivery of returns to the Commission

         4. 99. Declaration by responsible person as to return under section 96

         5. 100. Public inspection of returns under section 96

8. Part VII Referendums

   1. Chapter I Preliminary

      1. Referendums to which this Part applies

         1. 101. Referendums to which this Part applies

         2. 102. Referendum period

         3. 103. Date of poll

         4. 104. Referendum questions

      2. Permitted participants

         1. 105. Permitted participants

         2. 106. Declarations and notifications for purposes of section 105

         3. 107. Register of declarations and notifications for purposes of section 105

      3. Assistance for designated organisations

         1. 108. Designation of organisations to whom assistance is available

         2. 109. Applications for designation under section 108

         3. 110. Assistance available to designated organisations

   2. Chapter II Financial controls

      1. Referendum expenses

         1. 111. Referendum expenses

         2. 112. Notional referendum expenses

      2. General restrictions relating to referendum expenses incurred by permitted participants

         1. 113. Restriction on incurring referendum expenses

         2. 114. Restriction on payments in respect of referendum expenses

         3. 115. Restriction on making claims in respect of referendum expenses

         4. 116. Disputed claims

      3. Financial limits

         1. 117. General restriction on referendum expenses

         2. 118. Special restrictions on referendum expenses by permitted participants

      4. Donations to permitted participants

         1. 119. Control of donations to permitted participants

      5. Returns

         1. 120. Returns as to referendum expenses

         2. 121. Auditor’s report on return

         3. 122. Delivery of returns to Commission

         4. 123. Declaration of responsible person as to return under section 120

         5. 124. Public inspection of returns under section 120

   3. Chapter III Controls on Publications

      1. 125. Restriction on publication etc. of promotional material by central and local government etc

      2. 126. Details to appear on referendum material

      3. 127. Referendum campaign broadcasts

   4. Chapter IV Conduct of referendums

      1. 128. Chief Counting Officers, and counting officers, for referendums

      2. 129. Orders regulating conduct of referendums

9. Part VIII Election campaigns and proceedings

   1. Control of donations to candidates

      1. 130. Control of donations to candidates

   2. Control of election expenses

      1. 131. Election expenses incurred otherwise than by candidate

      2. 132. Financial limits applying to candidates' election expenses

      3. 133. Power to vary provisions about election expenses

      4. 134. Meaning of “election expenses”

      5. 135. Meaning of “candidate”

   3. Corrupt and illegal practices

      1. 136. Corrupt and illegal practices: consequences for persons convicted of such practices

      2. 137. Corrupt and illegal practices: election petitions etc

   4. Miscellaneous amendments

      1. 138. Election campaigns and proceedings: miscellaneous amendments

10. Part IX Political donations and expenditure by companies

    1. Control of political donations

       1. 139. Control of political donations by companies

    2. Disclosure of political donations and expenditure

       1. 140. Disclosure of political donations and expenditure in directors' report

11. Part X Miscellaneous and general

    1. Overseas electors

       1. 141. Reduction of qualifying period for overseas electors

    2. Pre-consolidation amendments

       1. 142. Pre-consolidation amendments

    3. Election material

       1. 143. Details to appear on election material

    4. Broadcasting during election period

       1. 144. Broadcasting of local items during election period

    5. Enforcement of Act

       1. 145. General function of Commission with respect to monitoring compliance with controls imposed by the Act etc

       2. 146. Supervisory powers of Commission

       3. 147. Civil penalty for failure to deliver documents etc

       4. 148. General offences

    6. Inspection of registers etc.

       1. 149. Inspection of Commission’s registers etc

    7. Provisions relating to offences

       1. 150. Punishment of offences

       2. 151. Summary proceedings

       3. 152. Offences committed by bodies corporate

       4. 153. Offences committed by unincorporated associations

       5. 154. Duty of court to report convictions to Commission

    8. Variation of specified sums

       1. 155. Power to vary specified sums

    9. Supplementary

       1. 156. Orders and regulations

       2. 157. Documents for purposes of the Act

       3. 158. Minor and consequential amendments and repeals

       4. 159. Financial provisions

       5. 160. General interpretation

       6. 161. Interpretation: donations

       7. 162. Interpretation: exempt trust donations

       8. 163. Short title, commencement, transitional provisions and extent

12. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

       The Electoral Commission

       1. Status of Commission and their property

          1. 1. (1) The Commission shall not be regarded—

       2. Powers

          1. 2. The Commission may do anything (except borrow money) which is...

       3. Term of office etc. of Electoral Commissioners

          1. 3. (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, an Electoral...

       4. Term of office etc. of Commission chairman

          1. 4. (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the chairman...

       5. Electoral Commissioners: salary etc.

          1. 5. (1) There shall be paid to an Electoral Commissioner such...

       6. Deputy Electoral Commissioners: term of office etc.

          1. 6. (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) a Deputy Electoral...

       7. Assistant Electoral Commissioners

          1. 7. (1) The Commission may appoint one or more Assistant Electoral...

       8. Committees

          1. 8. (1) The Commission may establish (in addition to the Boundary...

       9. Delegation to committees

          1. 9. (1) The Commission may delegate functions of the Commission (to...

       10. Procedure and proceedings

           1. 10. (1) The Commission shall regulate their own procedure, and the...

       11. Staff

           1. 11. (1) The Commission— (a) shall appoint a chief executive, and...

       12. Delegation to staff

           1. 12. Each of the following— (a) the Commission,

       13. Delegation and contracting-out of superannuation functions

           1. 13. (1) Section 1(2) of the Superannuation Act 1972 (delegation of...

       14. Financing of Commission

           1. 14. (1) The expenditure of the Commission, so far as it...

       15. Five-year plan

           1. 15. (1) When the Commission submit to the Speaker’s Committee such...

       16. Annual examination of Commission by Comptroller and Auditor General

           1. 16. (1) For the purpose of assisting the Speaker’s Committee to...

       17. Accounts

           1. 17. (1) The Commission shall keep proper accounting records.

       18. Audit

           1. 18. (1) The accounts prepared by the Commission for any financial...

       19. Accounting officer

           1. 19. (1) The Speaker’s Committee shall designate a member of the...

       20. Reports

           1. 20. (1) The Commission shall, as soon after the end of...

       21. Notification of Commission regulations

           1. 21. (1) If the Commission make any regulations, they must give...

       22. Regulation-making instruments

           1. 22. (1) Any power conferred on the Commission to make regulations...

       23. Verification of regulations

           1. 23. (1) The production of a printed copy of a regulation-making...

       24. Documentary evidence

           1. 24. A document purporting to be— (a) duly executed under the...

       25. Interpretation

           1. 25. In this Schedule “delegate” includes further delegate.

    2. SCHEDULE 2

       The Speaker’s Committee

       1. Reports

          1. 1. (1) The Speaker’s Committee shall, at least once in each...

       2. Term of office of Committee members

          1. 2. (1) In this paragraph “appointed member” means a member of...

       3. Committee proceedings

          1. 3. (1) The Speaker’s Committee may determine their own procedure.

    3. SCHEDULE 3

       Transfer of functions of Boundary Commissions

       1. Part I Amendments of Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986

          1. Preliminary

             1. 1. The Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 shall be amended as follows....

          2. Duty to keep under review, and report on, parliamentary representation

             1. 2. (1) Section 3 (reports of the Commissions) shall be amended...

          3. Functions of Boundary Committees

             1. 3. After section 3 there shall be inserted— Reviews and proposed...

          4. Implementation of Commission’s reports

             1. 4. (1) Section 4 (Orders in Council) shall be amended as...

          5. Notices relating to proposed reports or recommendations

             1. 5. For section 5 there shall be substituted— Notices relating to...

          6. Local inquiries

             1. 6. (1) Section 6 (local inquiries) shall be amended as follows....

          7. Rules for redistribution of seats

             1. 7. (1) Schedule 2 (rules for redistribution of seats) shall be...

       2. Part II Amendments of other Acts

          1. Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)

             1. 8. Schedule 1 to the Government of Wales Act 1998 (Assembly...

             2. 9. For paragraph 4 there shall be substituted— (1) When the Boundary Committee for Wales (“the Committee”) provisionally...

             3. 10. (1) Paragraph 5 (notices of proposed recommendations) shall be amended...

             4. 11. (1) Paragraph 6 (local inquiries) shall be amended as follows....

             5. 12. In paragraph 7 (reports)— (a) for “the Commission”, wherever occurring,...

             6. 13. In paragraph 8 (the rules), for “Commission”, wherever occurring, there...

             7. 14. In paragraph 9(1) (Orders in Council), for the words from...

             8. 15. In paragraph 10 (interpretation)— (a) for “the Commission”, wherever occurring,...

             9. 16. In paragraph 11 (definitions)— (a) for the definition of “the...

          2. Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46)

             1. 17. Schedule 1 to the Scotland Act 1998 (constituencies, regions and...

             2. 18. In paragraph 3 (reports of Boundary Commission for Scotland), for...

             3. 19. After paragraph 4 there shall be inserted— Proposed recommendations by...

             4. 20. (1) Paragraph 5 (notices of proposed recommendations) shall be amended...

             5. 21. (1) Paragraph 6 (local inquiries) shall be amended as follows....

             6. 22. In paragraph 7 (the rules), for “Commission”, wherever occurring, there...

             7. 23. In paragraph 8 (meaning of regional electorate)—

             8. 24. After paragraph 8 there shall be added— Interpretation In this Schedule— “the 1986 Act” means the Parliamentary Constituencies...

    4. SCHEDULE 4

       Applications under Part II

       1. Part I Application for registration

          1. Introductory

             1. 1. (1) Paragraphs 2 to 7 must be complied with in...

          2. Names

             1. 2. (1) An application for registration in the Great Britain register...

          3. Headquarters

             1. 3. (1) An application must specify— (a) the address of the...

          4. Registered officers

             1. 4. (1) An application must give the name and home address...

          5. Party organisation

             1. 5. (1) An application must be accompanied by—

          6. Additional information

             1. 6. An application must include any other information prescribed by regulations...

          7. Signature

             1. 7. (1) An application must be signed— (a) by the proposed...

       2. Part II Application for alteration of entry

          1. Introductory

             1. 8. (1) Paragraph 9 and (if applicable) paragraph 10 must be...

          2. Signature

             1. 9. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), an application must be signed...

          3. Details of campaigns officer

             1. 10. If an application is for the addition of a statement...

       3. Part III Application for registration of replacement officer

          1. Introductory

             1. 11. (1) Paragraphs 12 and 13 must be complied with in...

          2. Details of replacement etc. officers

             1. 12. (1) If as a result of an application one person...

          3. Signature

             1. 13. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), an application must be signed...

       4. Part IV Application for removal of entry

          1. Signature

             1. 14. Paragraph 9 above shall apply in relation to an application...

    5. SCHEDULE 5

       Accounting units: application of accounting requirements

       1. Introductory

          1. 1. (1) This Schedule provides for the application of sections 41...

       2. Accounting records

          1. 2. (1) Section 41— (a) shall not impose any duty on...

       3. Annual statements of accounts

          1. 3. (1) Section 42— (a) shall not impose any duty on...

       4. Annual audits

          1. 4. (1) Section 43 shall apply in relation to any accounting...

       5. Supplementary provisions about auditors

          1. 5. (1) Section 44 shall apply in relation to any accounting...

       6. Submission of statements of accounts etc. to Commission

          1. 6. (1) In the case of any accounting unit whose gross...

       7. Public inspection of parties' statements of accounts

          1. 7. Section 46 shall apply in relation to any statement of...

       8. Criminal penalty for failure to submit proper statement of accounts etc.

          1. 8. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), section 47 shall apply in...

       9. Revision of statement of accounts

          1. 9. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), section 48 shall apply in...

    6. SCHEDULE 6

       Details to be given in donation reports

       1. Preliminary

          1. 1. (1) In this Schedule— (a) “quarterly report” means a report...

       2. Identity of donors: quarterly reports

          1. 2. (1) In relation to each recordable donation (other than one...

       3. Identity of donors: weekly reports

          1. 3. In relation to each recordable donation a weekly report must...

       4. Value of donation

          1. 4. (1) In relation to each recordable donation a quarterly or...

       5. Circumstances in which donation made

          1. 5. (1) In relation to each recordable donation a quarterly or...

       6. Donations from impermissible donors

          1. 6. In relation to each recordable donation to which section 54(1)(a)...

       7. Donations from unidentifiable donors

          1. 7. In relation to each recordable donation to which section 54(1)(b)...

       8. Other details

          1. 8. A quarterly or weekly report must give such other information...

    7. SCHEDULE 7

       Control of donations to individuals and members associations

       1. Part I Introductory

          1. Operation and interpretation of Schedule

             1. 1. (1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to—

          2. Donations: general rules

             1. 2. (1) “Donation”, in relation to a regulated donee, means (subject...

          3. Sponsorship

             1. 3. (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided...

          4. Payments etc. not to be regarded as donations

             1. 4. (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a...

          5. Value of donations

             1. 5. (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a)...

       2. Part II Controls on donations

          1. Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

             1. 6. (1) A controlled donation received by a regulated donee must...

          2. Payments etc. which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors

             1. 7. (1) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of...

          3. Acceptance or return of donations

             1. 8. (1) Sections 56 to 60 shall apply for the purposes...

          4. Evasion of restrictions on donations

             1. 9. Section 61 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule...

       3. Part III Reporting of donations by regulated donees

          1. Donation reports: donations from permissible donors

             1. 10. (1) A regulated donee shall— (a) prepare a report under...

          2. Donation reports: donations from impermissible or unidentifiable donors

             1. 11. (1) A regulated donee shall— (a) prepare a report under...

          3. Offence of failing to deliver donation report

             1. 12. (1) Where a report required to be delivered to the...

          4. Declaration in donation report

             1. 13. (1) Each report under paragraph 10 or 11 must, when...

       4. Part IV Reporting of donations by donors

          1. 14. (1) This paragraph applies where a person (“the donor”) has...

       5. Part V Register of donations

          1. Register of recordable donations

             1. 15. (1) Section 69 shall apply in relation to donations reported...

       6. Part VI Power to make special provision

          1. Exemption from disclosure

             1. 16. (1) The power conferred by section 70(1)(b) shall include power...

    8. SCHEDULE 8

       Campaign expenditure: qualifying expenses

       1. Part I Qualifying expenses

          1. Expenses qualifying where incurred for election purposes

             1. 1. For the purposes of section 72(2) the expenses falling within...

          2. List of matters

          3. Exclusions

             1. 2. Nothing in paragraph 1 shall be taken as extending to—...

       2. Part II Supplemental

          1. Guidance by Commission

             1. 3. (1) The Commission may prepare, and from time to time...

          2. Power to amend Part I

             1. 4. (1) The Secretary of State may by order make such...

    9. SCHEDULE 9

       Limits on campaign expenditure

       1. Part I Introductory

          1. Interpretation

             1. 1. (1) In this Schedule— (a) “an ordinary general election to...

          2. Attribution of expenditure to different parts of the United Kingdom

             1. 2. (1) For the purposes of this Schedule—

       2. Part II General limits

          1. Parliamentary general elections

             1. 3. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure...

          2. General elections to European Parliament

             1. 4. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure...

          3. General elections to Scottish Parliament

             1. 5. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure...

          4. Ordinary elections to Welsh Assembly

             1. 6. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure...

          5. General elections to Northern Ireland Assembly

             1. 7. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure...

       3. Part III Limits applying in special circumstances

          1. Combination of elections to European Parliament and to devolved legislature

             1. 8. (1) This paragraph applies where (apart from this paragraph)—

          2. Combined limits where parliamentary election pending

             1. 9. (1) This paragraph applies where— (a) separate limits would (apart...

          3. Combination of limit under paragraph 9 and other limit

             1. 10. (1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a limit under paragraph...

          4. Combination of parliamentary general election and other election, or elections, falling within paragraphs 4 to 8

             1. 11. (1) This paragraph applies where— (a) a limit under paragraph...

    10. SCHEDULE 10

        Limits on controlled expenditure

        1. Part I Introductory

           1. Interpretation

              1. 1. (1) In this Schedule— (a) “an ordinary general election to...

           2. Attribution of expenditure to different parts of the United Kingdom

              1. 2. (1) For the purposes of this Schedule controlled expenditure incurred...

        2. Part II General limits

           1. Parliamentary general elections

              1. 3. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a parliamentary...

           2. General elections to European Parliament

              1. 4. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a general...

           3. General elections to Scottish Parliament

              1. 5. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary...

           4. Ordinary elections to Welsh Assembly

              1. 6. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary...

           5. General elections to Northern Ireland Assembly

              1. 7. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary...

        3. Part III Limits applying in special circumstances

           1. Combination of elections to European Parliament and to devolved legislature

              1. 8. (1) This paragraph imposes, in the circumstances mentioned in sub-paragraph...

           2. Combined limits where parliamentary election pending

              1. 9. (1) This paragraph imposes— (a) in the circumstances mentioned in...

           3. Combination of limit under paragraph 9 and other limit

              1. 10. (1) This paragraph imposes a limit where—

              2. 11. (1) This paragraph imposes a limit where—

    11. SCHEDULE 11

        Control of donations to recognised third parties

        1. Part I Introductory

           1. Operation and interpretation of Schedule

              1. 1. (1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to recognised...

           2. Donations: general rules

              1. 2. (1) “Donation”, in relation to a recognised third party, means...

           3. Sponsorship

              1. 3. (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided...

           4. Payments etc not to be regarded as donations

              1. 4. (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a...

           5. Value of donations

              1. 5. (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a)...

        2. Part II Controls on donations

           1. Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

              1. 6. (1) A relevant donation received by a recognised third party...

           2. Acceptance or return of donations

              1. 7. (1) Sections 56 to 60 shall apply for the purposes...

           3. Evasion of restrictions on donations

              1. 8. Section 61 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule...

        3. Part III Reporting of donations

           1. Statement of relevant donations

              1. 9. The recognised third party must include in any return required...

           2. Donations from permissible donors

              1. 10. (1) The statement must record, in relation to each relevant...

           3. Donations from impermissible donors

              1. 11. (1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph...

    12. SCHEDULE 12

        Assistance available to designated organisations

        1. Right to send referendum address post free

           1. 1. (1) A designated organisation is, subject to such reasonable terms...

        2. Right to use rooms for holding public meetings

           1. 2. (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, persons authorised...

        3. Supplementary provisions about use of rooms for public meetings

           1. 3. (1) This paragraph has effect with respect to the rights...

        4. Referendum campaign broadcasts

           1. 4. (1) Sections 36(1) and (2) and 107(1) of the Broadcasting...

    13. SCHEDULE 13

        Referendum expenses: qualifying expenses

        1. Part I Qualifying expenses

           1. Expenses qualifying where incurred for referendum purposes

              1. 1. For the purposes of section 111(2) the expenses falling within...

           2. List of matters

           3. Exclusions

              1. 2. Nothing in paragraph 1 shall be taken as extending to—...

        2. Part II Supplemental

           1. Guidance by Commission

              1. 3. (1) The Commission may prepare, and from time to time...

           2. Power to amend Part I

              1. 4. (1) The Secretary of State may by order make such...

    14. SCHEDULE 14

        1. Limits on referendum expenses by permitted participants

           1. Limits in relation to referendums held throughout United Kingdom

              1. 1. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a referendum...

           2. Limits in relation to referendums held in particular parts of United Kingdom

              1. 2. (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a referendum...

    15. SCHEDULE 15

        Control of donations to permitted participants

        1. Part I Introductory

           1. Operation and interpretation of Schedule

              1. 1. (1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to permitted...

           2. Donations: general rules

              1. 2. (1) “Donation”, in relation to a permitted participant, means (subject...

           3. Sponsorship

              1. 3. (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided...

           4. Payments etc. not to be regarded as donations

              1. 4. (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a...

           5. Value of donations

              1. 5. (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a)...

        2. Part II Controls on donations

           1. Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

              1. 6. (1) A relevant donation received by a permitted participant must...

           2. Acceptance or return of donations

              1. 7. (1) Sections 56 to 60 shall apply for the purposes...

           3. Evasion of restrictions on donations

              1. 8. Section 61 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule...

        3. Part III Reporting of donations

           1. Statement of relevant donations

              1. 9. The responsible person in relation to a permitted participant must...

           2. Donations from permissible donors

              1. 10. (1) The statement must record, in relation to each relevant...

           3. Donations from impermissible or unidentifiable donors

              1. 11. (1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph...

    16. SCHEDULE 16

        Control of donations to candidates: New Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983

    17. SCHEDULE 17

        Amendments relating to election petitions

        1. Preliminary

           1. 1. The Representation of the People Act 1983 shall be amended...

        2. Local election petitions

           1. 2. In section 130 (election court for election in England and...

        3. Procedure on all election petitions

           1. 3. (1) For section 137 there shall be substituted— Petition at...

           2. 4. In section 138(1) (list of petitions) the words from “,...

           3. 5. (1) Sections 148 to 153 (withdrawal or abatement of petition)...

           4. 6. In section 157 (appeals and jurisdiction), subsection (5) (additional remuneration...

        4. Consequences of finding by election court of corrupt or illegal practice

           1. 7. In section 159 (candidate reported guilty of corrupt or illegal...

           2. 8. In section 160 (candidate or other person reported personally guilty...

           3. 9. In section 166 (votes to be struck off for corrupt...

           4. 10. In section 185(1) (interpretation of Part III of the Act)—...

    18. SCHEDULE 18

        Election campaigns and proceedings: miscellaneous amendments

        1. Preliminary

           1. 1. The Representation of the People Act 1983 shall be amended...

        2. Contracts about election expenses

           1. 2. Section 72 (contracts through election agent) shall be omitted.

        3. Payment of election expenses

           1. 3. (1) Section 73 (payment of expenses through election agent) shall...

           2. 4. (1) Section 74 (candidate’s personal expenses, and petty expenses) shall...

           3. 5. After section 74 there shall be inserted— Expenses incurred otherwise...

           4. 6. (1) Section 78 (time for sending in and paying claims)...

        4. Returns of election expenses

           1. 7. (1) Section 81 (return as to election expenses) shall be...

           2. 8. Section 82(4) (person before whom declaration as to elections expenses...

           3. 9. After section 87 there shall be inserted— Duty of appropriate...

           4. 10. For section 89(1) (inspection of returns and declarations) there shall...

           5. 11. In section 90 (election expenses at elections where election agent...

        5. Conveyance of voters to and from the poll

           1. 12. Sections 101 to 105 (conveyance of voters to and from...

        6. Illegal practices, payments, employments and hirings

           1. 13. Section 108 (premises not to be used as committee rooms)...

           2. 14. For section 110 there shall be substituted— Details to appear...

        7. Election expenses

           1. 15. In section 118 (interpretation of Part II)—

           2. 16. In Schedule 3— (a) the form of return, and

           3. 17. In Schedule 4 (election expenses in connection with certain local...

        8. Jurisdiction and procedure

           1. 18. (1) The following provisions shall be omitted—

        9. References to documents used in legal proceedings

           1. 19. (1) In section 69 (office of election agent and sub-agent)—...

    19. SCHEDULE 19

        Control of political donations by companies: new Part XA of Companies Act 1985

    20. SCHEDULE 20

        Penalties

    21. SCHEDULE 21

        Minor and consequential amendments

        1. Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)

           1. 1. In Part II of the Table at the end of...

        2. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)

           1. 2. In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...

        3. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)

           1. 3. In Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act...

        4. Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)

           1. 4. In Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act...

        5. European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 (c. 10)

           1. 5. (1) The European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 (as amended by...

        6. Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2)

           1. 6. (1) The Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended...

        7. Representation of the People Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1081) and Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1111)

           1. 7. (1) In regulation 99 of the Representation of the People...

        8. Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)

           1. 8. In sections 36(3) and 107(2) of the Broadcasting Act 1990...

        9. Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19)

           1. 9. (1) Section 13 of the Local Government Act 1992 (duty...

           2. 10. In section 14(8) of that Act (changes that may be...

        10. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33)

            1. 11. In section 170 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order...

        11. Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)

            1. 12. (1) The Government of Wales Act 1998 is amended as...

        12. Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46)

            1. 13. (1) The Scotland Act 1998 is amended as follows.

        13. Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)

            1. 14. (1) The Northern Ireland Act 1998 is amended as follows....

        14. Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29)

            1. 15. In section 4(11) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999...

        15. Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2)

            1. 16. (1) Section 10 of the Representation of the People Act...

            2. 17. (1) Section 11 of that Act (revision of procedures in...

        16. Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22)

            1. 18. (1) The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows....

    22. SCHEDULE 22

        Repeals

    23. SCHEDULE 23

        Transitional provisions

        1. Part I Transfer of registration of existing registered parties

           1. Interpretation of Part I

              1. 1. In this Part of this Schedule— “the 1998 Act” means...

           2. Declaration for purposes of section 28

              1. 2. (1) This paragraph applies to any party registered under the...

           3. Draft scheme for purposes of section 26

              1. 3. (1) This paragraph applies to any party registered under the...

           4. Registration under Part II of this Act as from appointed day

              1. 4. (1) This paragraph applies where a party registered under the...

           5. Failure to comply with paragraph 2 or 3

              1. 5. (1) This paragraph applies where a party registered under the...

           6. Exercise of functions by person appointed as Commission’s chief executive

              1. 6. In relation to any time when the functions of the...

           7. Termination of registration functions of registrar of companies

              1. 7. (1) The registration functions of the registrar under the 1998...

        2. Part II Other transitional provisions

           1. Appointment of Electoral Commissioners

              1. 8. For the purposes of section 3(2)— (a) any agreement to...

           2. Orders specifying organisations which are not to count as accounting units

              1. 9. The requirement in section 26(8)(c) for any order under that...

           3. Orders prohibiting use of certain words in parties' registered names

              1. 10. The requirement in section 28(4)(f) for any order under that...

           4. Confirmation of registered particulars

              1. 11. (1) This paragraph applies to a party which is registered...

           5. Control of political donations by companies

              1. 12. (1) The provisions of Part XA of the Companies Act...

           6. Disclosure of political donations and expenditure in directors' report

              1. 13. The provisions of Schedule 7 to the Companies Act 1985...