Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

65 Polling station schemes. N.I.

(1) A polling station scheme prepared under sub-section (2) of section fifteen (in this section referred to as a scheme) shall provide for the designation of such number of polling stations in such situations as to provide for all electors in each polling district such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances.

F1 [(1A) The Chief Electoral Officer shall in[F2 the year 2010] and every fourth year thereafter prepare in accordance with the provisions of this section a draft scheme providing for the location of a polling station or polling stations in each polling district (as defined in this Act) and shall publish the draft scheme in accordance with electoral regulations under sub-section (4).]

(2) The [F3 Chief Electoral Officer] may if [F3 he] thinks fit cause a local inquiry to be held in relation to the [F1 draft] scheme or any question arising in connection with it; and if such an inquiry is held [F3 the Chief Electoral Officer shall] take into consideration the report of the person who held it.

F3 [(3) The Chief Electoral Officer shall consider any objections or proposals made in relation to the draft scheme and shall then approve the scheme with or without modifications (which may include additions or exceptions).]

(4) The Ministry may by electoral regulations make provision—

(a) for the method of selection of polling stations…F4 ;

(b) for the time within which and the manner in which draft schemes are to be published and objections or proposals in relation thereto may be lodged by interested persons;

(c) for the time within which and the manner in which schemes are to be [F3 approved]; and

(d) the manner in which approved schemes are to be published.

(5) As from the date of publication of a scheme [F1 approved under sub-section (3)] the polling stations therein designated shall, subject to sub-section (6), be the polling stations to be used, at any parliamentary or local election initiated between that date and the date of publication of a new scheme, [F1 approved under sub-section (3)] for the polling districts to which the scheme relates…

F4 [F3 (6) The Chief Electoral Officer may for the purpose of any particular election omit from or add to the polling stations designated in a polling station scheme such station or stations as he considers necessary.]

F1 1972 NI 13

F2 Words in s. 65(1A) substituted (18.11.2009) by Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3014), arts. 1(2), 2(2)

F3 1972 NI 13

F4 1972 NI 13