The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Single Transferable Vote) (Wales) Rules 2023

Amendment of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2021 Rules

7.—(1) Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2021 Rules is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 21 (poll to be taken by ballot), for paragraph (2), substitute—

“(2) The result must be ascertained—

(a) where the voting system that applies at the election is the simple majority system, in accordance with Part 4;

(b) where the voting system that applies at the election is the single transferable vote system, in accordance with Part 4A.”.

(3) In rule 22 (the ballot papers)—

(a) in paragraph (3), at the beginning insert “Where the voting system that applies at the election is the simple majority system,”;

(b) after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) Where the voting system that applies at the election is the single transferable vote system, a ballot paper must be—

(a) in the form in Appendix 2A, and

(b) printed in accordance with the directions in that Appendix.”.

(4) In rule 28 (postal ballot papers)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(b), for “Appendix 4” substitute “the applicable Appendix”;

(b) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) In paragraph (1)(b), “the applicable Appendix” means—

(a) where the voting system that applies at the election is the simple majority system, Appendix 4;

(b) where the voting system that applies at the election is the single transferable vote system, Appendix 4A.”.

(5) In rule 31 (issue of official poll cards)—

(a) in paragraph (4), for “Appendix 5” substitute “the applicable Appendix”;

(b) in paragraph (6)(a), for “Appendix 5” substitute “the applicable Appendix”;

(c) in paragraph (8), before sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa) “the applicable Appendix” means—

(i) where the voting system that applies at the election is the simple majority system, Appendix 5;

(ii) where the voting system that applies at the election is the single transferable vote system, Appendix 5A.”.

(6) In rule 32 (equipment of polling stations)—

(a) in paragraph (11), for “Appendix 6” substitute “the applicable Appendix”;

(b) after paragraph (11) insert—

“(11A) In paragraph (11), “the applicable Appendix” means—

(a) where the voting system that applies at the election is the simple majority system, Appendix 6;

(b) where the voting system that applies at the election is the single transferable vote system, Appendix 6A.”;

(c) in paragraph (13), at the beginning insert “Where the voting system that applies at the election is the simple majority system,”;

(d) after paragraph (13) insert—

“(13A) Where the voting system that applies at the election is the single transferable vote system, a notice containing instructions for marking the ballot paper at the principal area election and each relevant election must be exhibited inside each voting compartment in each polling station and, in relation to the principal area election, that information must include the following—

(a) an instruction to the voter to put the number 1 in the voting box next to their first choice;

(b) an explanation to the voter that they may make as many or as few additional choices as they wish, together with an instruction on how to do this by putting the number 2 next to their second choice, the number 3 next to their third choice and so on.”.