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Representation of the People Act 1983

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I Parliamentary and Local Government Franchise and its Exercise

    1. Parliamentary and local government franchise

      1. 1. Parliamentary electors.

      2. 2. Local government electors.

      3. 3. Disfranchisement of offenders in prison etc.

      4. 3A. Disfranchisement of offenders detained in mental hospitals.

    2. Entitlement to registration

      1. 4. Entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local government elector.

      2. 5. Residence: general.

      3. 6. Residence: merchant seamen.

      4. 7. Residence: patients in mental hospitals who are not detained offenders or on remand.

      5. 7A. Residence: persons remanded in custody etc.

      6. 7B. Notional residence: declarations of local connection.

      7. 7C. Effect of declaration of local connection.

    3. Registration of parliamentary and local government electors

      1. 8. Registration officers.

      2. 9. Registers of electors.

      3. 9A.Registration officers: duty to take necessary steps

      4. 9B.Anonymous registration

      5. 9C.Removal of anonymous entry

      6. 10. Maintenance of registers: duty to conduct canvass.

      7. 10ZA.Northern Ireland: timing of canvass

      8. 10ZB.The relevant registration objectives (Northern Ireland)

      9. 10A.Maintenance of the registers: registration of electors.

      10. 11. Correction of registers.

      11. 12. Right to be registered.

      12. 13. Publication of registers.

      13. 13A. Alteration of registers.

      14. 13B. Alteration of registers: pending elections.

      15. 13BA.Alteration of registers in Northern Ireland: pending elections

      16. 13BB.Election falling within canvass period

      17. 13C. Electoral identity card: Northern Ireland

      18. 13CA.Scottish local government elections: false information in connection with applications for absent voting

      19. 13D. Provision of false information

    4. Service qualifications and declarations for registration

      1. 14. Service qualification.

      2. 15. Service declaration.

      3. 16. Contents of service declaration.

      4. 17. Effect of service declaration.

    5. Place and manner of voting at parliamentary elections

      1. 18.Polling districts and places at parliamentary elections.

      2. 18A.Polling districts at parliamentary elections

      3. 18B.Polling places at parliamentary elections

      4. 18C.Review of polling districts and places

      5. 18D.Review of polling districts and places: representations to Electoral Commission

      6. 18E.Sections 18A to 18D: supplemental

      7. 19, 20.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 21, 22.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    6. Conduct of parliamentary elections

      1. 23. Rules for parliamentary elections.

      2. 24. Returning officers: England and Wales.

      3. 25. Returning officers: Scotland.

      4. 26. Returning officer: Northern Ireland.

      5. 27. Returning officers generally.

      6. 28. Discharge of returning officer’s functions in England and Wales.

      7. 29. Payments by and to returning officer.

      8. 30. Taxation of returning officer’s account.

    7. Place and manner of voting at local government elections

      1. 31. Polling districts and stations at local government elections.

      2. 32–34.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    8. Conduct of local government elections in England and Wales

      1. 35. Returning officers: local elections in England and Wales.

      2. 36. Local elections in England and Wales.

      3. 37. Ordinary day of local elections in England and Wales.

      4. 37A.Power to change date of local elections to date of European Parliamentary general election: England

      5. 37B.Power to change date of local elections to date of European Parliamentary general election: Wales

      6. 38.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 39. Local elections void etc. in England and Wales.

      8. 40. Timing as to local elections in England and Wales.

    9. Conduct of local government elections in Scotland

      1. 41. Returning officers: local elections in Scotland.

      2. 42. Local elections in Scotland.

      3. 43. Day of ordinary local elections in Scotland, and other timing provisions.

      4. 44.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 45. Non-election of local authority etc. in Scotland.

    10. Supplemental provisions as to local government elections

      1. 46. Further provision as to local election voting.

      2. 47. Loan of equipment for local elections.

      3. 48. Validity of local elections, and legal costs.

    11. Supplemental provisions as to parliamentary and local government elections

      1. 49. Effect of registers.

      2. 50. Effect of misdescription.

      3. 51.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 52. Discharge of registration duties.

      5. 53. Power to make regulations as to registration etc.

      6. 54. Payment of expenses of registration.

      7. 55.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 56. Registration appeals: England and Wales.

      9. 57. Registration appeals: Scotland.

      10. 58. Registration appeals: Northern Ireland.

      11. 59. Supplemental provisions as to members of forces and service voters.

    12. Offences

      1. 60. Personation.

      2. 61. Other voting offences.

      3. 62. Offences as to declarations.

      4. 62A.Offences relating to applications for postal and proxy votes

      5. 62B.Scottish local government elections: offences relating to applications for postal and proxy votes

      6. 63. Breach of official duty.

      7. 64.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 65. Tampering with nomination papers, ballot papers, etc.

      9. 65A. False statements in nomination papers etc.

      10. 65B.Scottish local government elections: false information in nomination papers etc.

      11. 66. Requirement of secrecy.

      12. 66A. Prohibition on publication of exit polls.

      13. 66B.Failure to comply with conditions relating to supply etc. of certain documents

  3. Part II The Election Campaign

    1. The Election agent

      1. 67. Appointment of election agent

      2. 68. Nomination of sub-agent at parliamentary or Authority elections.

      3. 69. Office of election agent and sub-agent.

      4. 70. Effect of default in election agent’s appointment.

      5. 70A. Application of s.70 in relation to election of London members of the London Assembly.

      6. 71. Elections where election agent not required.

    2. Donations to candidates

      1. 71A. Control of donations to candidates.

    3. Election expenses

      1. 72. Making of contracts through election agent.

      2. 73. Payment of expenses through election agent.

      3. 74.Expenses which may be paid otherwise than by election agent.

      4. 74A. Expenses incurred otherwise than for election purposes.

      5. 75. Prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent.

      6. 75A.Scottish local government elections: prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent

      7. 76.Limitation of election expenses.

      8. 76ZA.Limitation of pre-candidacy election expenses for certain general elections

      9. 76A. Power to vary provisions about election expenses.

      10. 77. Expenses limit for joint candidates at local election.

      11. 78. Time for sending in and paying claims.

      12. 79. Disputed claims.

      13. 80. Election agent’s claim.

      14. 81. Return as to election expenses.

      15. 82. Declarations as to election expenses.

      16. 83. Where no return and declarations needed at parliamentary elections.

      17. 84. Penalty for failure as respects return or declarations.

      18. 85. Penalty for sitting or voting where no return and declarations transmitted.

      19. 85A. Disqualification where no return and declarations transmitted after election of Mayor of London.

      20. 86. Authorised excuses for failures as to return and declarations.

      21. 87. Court’s power to require information from election agent or sub-agent.

      22. 87A. Duty of appropriate officer to forward returns and declarations to Electoral Commission.

      23. 88. Publication of time and place for inspection of returns and declarations.

      24. 89. Inspection of returns and declarations.

      25. 90. Election expenses at elections where election agent not required.

      26. 90ZA.Meaning of “election expenses”

      27. 90ZB.Scottish local government elections: meaning of “election expenses”

      28. 90A. Meaning of “election expenses”.

      29. 90B. Incurring of election expenses for purposes of section 90A.

      30. 90C. Property, goods, services etc. provided free of charge or at a discount.

      31. 90D. Modification of sections 90ZA and 90C in relation to election of London members of the London Assembly.

    4. Publicity at parliamentary elections

      1. 91. Candidate’s right to send election address post free.

      2. 92. Broadcasting from outside United Kingdom.

      3. 93. Broadcasting of local items during election period.

      4. 94. Imitation poll cards.

    5. Election meetings

      1. 95. Schools and rooms for parliamentary election meetings.

      2. 96. Schools and rooms for local election meetings.

      3. 97. Disturbances at election meetings.

      4. 98. Premises not affected for rates.

    6. Agency by election officials and canvassing by police officers

      1. 99. Officials not to act for candidates.

      2. 100. Illegal canvassing by police officers.

    7. Conveyance of voters to and from poll

      1. 101. No hiring of vehicles to convey voters.

      2. 102. No payments for conveyance of voters.

      3. 103. Provisions supplemental to ss. 101 and 102.

      4. 104.“Carriage” in ss. 101 to 103.

      5. 105. Access to polling place by sea.

    8. Other illegal practices, payments, employments or hirings

      1. 106. False statements as to candidates.

      2. 107. Corrupt withdrawal from candidature.

      3. 108. Premises not to be used as committee rooms.

      4. 109. Payments for exhibition of election notices.

      5. 110. Details to appear on election publications.

      6. 110A.Scottish local government elections: details to appear on election publications

      7. 111. Prohibition of paid canvassers.

      8. 112. Providing money for illegal purposes.

    9. Bribery, treating and undue influence

      1. 113. Bribery.

      2. 114. Treating.

      3. 115. Undue influence.

    10. Supplemental

      1. 116. Rights of creditors.

      2. 117. Savings as to parliamentary elections.

      3. 118. Interpretation of Part II.

      4. 118A. Meaning of candidate.

      5. 119. Computation of time for purposes of Part II.

  4. Part III Legal Proceedings

    1. Questioning of a parliamentary election

      1. 120. Method of questioning parliamentary election.

      2. 121. Presentation and service of parliamentary election petition.

      3. 122. Time for presentation or amendment of parliamentary election petition.

      4. 123. Constitution of election court and place of trial.

      5. 124. Judges’ expenses and reception: England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

      6. 125. Judges’ expenses and reception: Scotland.

      7. 126. Attendance of House of Commons shorthand writer.

    2. Questioning of a local election

      1. 127. Method of questioning local election.

      2. 128. Presentation of petition questioning local election.

      3. 129. Time for presentation or amendment of petition questioning local election.

      4. 130. Election court for local election in England and Wales, and place of trial.

      5. 131. Accommodation of and attendance on court.

      6. 132. Remuneration and allowances.

      7. 133. Repayments under ss. 131 and 132.

      8. 134. Election court for local election in Scotland, and place of trial.

      9. 135. Consequences of local election declared void.

      10. 135A. Consequences of election or return of London members being declared void.

    3. Procedure on all election petitions

      1. 136. Security for costs.

      2. 137. Petition at issue.

      3. 138. List of petitions.

      4. 139. Trial of petition.

      5. 140. Witnesses.

      6. 141. Duty to answer relevant questions.

      7. 142.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 143. Expenses of witnesses.

      9. 144. Conclusion of trial of parliamentary election petition.

      10. 145. Conclusion of trial of local election petition.

      11. 145A. Determination in respect of election of Mayor of London or constituency member of London Assembly.

      12. 146. Special case for determination of High Court.

      13. 147. Withdrawal of petition.

      14. 148. Evidence required for withdrawal of petition.

      15. 149. Penalty for corrupt withdrawal and breach of s. 148.

      16. 150. Substitution of new petitioner.

      17. 151. Report on withdrawal.

      18. 152. Abatement of petition.

      19. 153. Withdrawal and substitution of respondents before trial.

      20. 154. Costs of petition.

      21. 155. Neglect or refusal to pay costs.

      22. 156. Further provision as to costs.

      23. 157. Appeals and jurisdiction.

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

      1. 158. Report as to candidate guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice.

      2. 159. Candidate reported guilty of corrupt or illegal practice.

      3. 160. Persons reported personally guilty of corrupt or illegal practices.

    5. Director of Public Prosecutions’ duty to report corrupt practice

      1. 161. Justice of the Peace.

      2. 162. Member of legal and certain other professions.

      3. 163. Holder of licence or certificate under Licensing Acts.

    6. Further provision as to avoidance of elections and striking off votes

      1. 164. Avoidance of election for general corruption etc.

      2. 165. Avoidance of election for employing corrupt agent.

      3. 166. Votes to be struck off for corrupt or illegal practices.

    7. Power to except innocent act from being illegal practice, payment, employment or hiring

      1. 167. Application for relief.

    8. Prosecutions for corrupt or illegal practices

      1. 168. Prosecutions for corrupt practices.

      2. 169. Prosecutions for illegal practices.

      3. 170. Conviction of illegal practice on charge of corrupt practice etc.

      4. 171.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 172.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 173. Incapacities on conviction of corrupt or illegal practice.

      7. 173A. Incapacity to hold public or judicial office in Scotland.

    9. Mitigation and remission of incapacities

      1. 174. Mitigation and remission etc.

    10. Illegal payments, employments or hirings

      1. 175. Illegal payments etc.

    11. General provisions as to prosecutions

      1. 176. Time limit for prosecutions.

      2. 177. Local election offence punishable summarily.

      3. 178. Prosecution of offences committed outside the United Kingdom.

      4. 179. Offences by associations.

      5. 180. Evidence by certificate of holding of elections.

      6. 180A. Evidence by certificate of electoral registration.

      7. 181. Director of Public Prosecutions.

    12. Supplemental

      1. 182. Rules of procedure.

      2. 183. Costs.

      3. 184. Service of notices.

      4. 185. Interpretation of Part III.

      5. 186. Computation of time for purposes of Part III.

  5. Part IV Special Provisions as to Other Local Elections

    1. England and Wales, and Scotland

      1. 187.Application of Act to certain local elections.

      2. 188. Parts II and III as to local elections in Scotland.

      3. 189. Voting offences at certain local elections.

    2. The Greater London Authority

      1. 189A. Extension of references to elections under the local government Act.

      2. 190.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. The City

      1. 191. Municipal elections in the City.

      2. 192.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 193. Personation and other voting offences.

      4. 194. Broadcasting.

      5. 195. Disturbances at meetings.

      6. 196. Costs or expenses.

      7. 197. Candidate’s expenses: ward, and liverymen in common hall, elections.

      8. 198. Effect of avoidance of election to corporate office.

  6. Part V General and Supplemental

    1. Supplemental

      1. 199.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 199A.Functions of the Lord Chancellor

      3. 199B.Translations etc of certain documents

      4. 199C.Scottish local government elections: translations etc. of certain documents

      5. 200. Public notices, and declarations.

      6. 200A. Remuneration for free postal services provided under Act.

      7. 201. Regulations.

    2. Interpretation

      1. 202. General provisions as to interpretation.

      2. 203. Local government provisions as to England and Wales.

    3. Scotland and Northern Ireland

      1. 204. General application to Scotland.

      2. 205. General application to Northern Ireland.

    4. Operation

      1. 206. Transitional and saving provisions, amendments and repeals.

      2. 207. Citation and commencement.

  7. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE A1

      Review of polling districts and polling places

      1. 1.The relevant authority must publish notice of the holding of...

      2. 2.The authority must consult the returning officer for every parliamentary...

      3. 3.(1) Every such returning officer must make representations to the...

      4. 4.(1) The authority must seek representations from such persons as...

      5. 5.Any elector in a constituency situated in whole or in...

      6. 6.Representations made by any person in connection with a review...

      7. 7.On completion of a review the authority must—

    2. SCHEDULE 1

      1. Parliamentary Elections Rules

        1. Arrangement of rules

        2. Part I Provisions as to Time

          1. Rule

          2. 1.Timetable.

          3. 2.Computation of time.

        3. Part II Stages Common to Contested and Uncontested Elections

          1. Issue of writ and notice of election

            1. 3.Issue of writ.

            2. 4.Conveyance of writ to acting returning officer.

            3. 5.Notice of election.

          2. Nomination

            1. 6.Nomination of candidates.

            2. 7.Subscription of nomination paper.

            3. 8.Consent to nomination.

            4. 9.Deposit.

            5. 10.Place for delivery of nomination papers.

            6. 11.Right to attend nomination.

            7. 12.Decisions as to validity of nomination papers.

            8. 13.Withdrawal of candidates.

            9. 14.Publication of statement of persons nominated.

            10. 15.Disqualification by Representation of the People Act 1981.

            11. 16.Adjournment of nomination proceedings in case of riot.

            12. 17.Method of election.

        4. Part III Contested Elections

          1. General Provisions

            1. 18.Poll to be taken by ballot.

            2. 19.The ballot papers.

            3. 20.The official mark.

            4. 21.Prohibition of disclosure of vote.

            5. 22.Use of schools and public rooms.

          2. Action to be taken before the poll

            1. 23.Notice of poll.

            2. 24.Postal ballot papers.

            3. 25.Provision of polling stations.

            4. 26.Appointment of presiding officers and clerks.

            5. 27.. . . . . . . . . ....

            6. 28.Issue of official poll cards.

            7. 29.Equipment of polling stations.

            8. 30.Appointment of polling and counting agents.

            9. 31.Declaration of secrecy.

          3. The poll

            1. 32.Admission to polling station.

            2. 33.Keeping of order in station.

            3. 34.Sealing of ballot boxes.

            4. 35.Questions to be put to voters.

            5. 36.Challenge of voter.

            6. 37.Voting procedure.

            7. 38.Votes marked by presiding officer.

            8. 39.Voting by blind persons.

            9. 40.Tendered ballot papers.

            10. 41.Spoilt ballot papers.

            11. 42.Adjournment of poll in case of riot.

            12. 43.Procedure on close of poll.

          4. Counting of votes

            1. 44.Attendance at counting of votes.

            2. 45.The count.

            3. 46.Re-count.

            4. 47.Rejected ballot papers.

            5. 48.Decisions on ballot papers.

            6. 49.Equality of votes.

        5. Part IV Final Proceedings in Contested and Uncontested Elections

          1. 50.Declaration of result.

          2. 51.Return to the writ.

          3. 52.Record of returns at Crown Office.

          4. 53.Return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit.

        6. Part V Disposal of Documents

          1. 54.Sealing up of ballot papers.

          2. 55.Delivery of documents to Clerk of the Crown.

          3. 56.Orders for production of documents.

          4. 57.Retention and public inspection of documents.

          5. 58.Disposal of documents in Scotland.

          6. 59.Disposal of documents in Northern Ireland.

        7. Part VI Death of Candidate

          1. 60.Countermand or abandonment of poll on death of candidate

        8. Appendix of Forms

          1. Form of writ.

          2. Form of notice of election.

          3. Form of nomination paper.

          4. Form of ballot paper.

          5. Directions as to printing the ballot paper.

          6. Form of directions for guidance of the voters in voting....

          7. Form of declaration to be made by the companion of...

      2. Part I Provisions as to Time

        1. Timetable

          1. 1.The proceedings at the election shall be conducted in accordance...

        2. Computation of time

          1. 2.(1) In computing any period of time for the purposes...

      3. Part II Stages Common to Contested and Uncontested Elections

        1. Issue of Writ and Notice of Election

          1. Issue of writ

            1. 3.(1) Writs for parliamentary elections shall continue to be sealed...

          2. Conveyance of writ to acting returning officer

            1. 4.(1) For an election in a constituency in England and...

          3. Notice of election

            1. 5.(1) The returning officer shall publish notice of the election...

        2. Nomination

          1. Nomination of candidates

            1. 6.(1) Each candidate shall be nominated by a separate nomination...

          2. Nomination papers: name of registered political party

            1. 6A.(1) A nomination paper may not include a description of...

          3. Subscription of nomination paper

            1. 7.(1) The nomination paper shall be subscribed by two electors...

          4. Consent to nomination

            1. 8.(1) A person shall not be validly nominated unless his...

          5. Deposit

            1. 9.(1) A person shall not be validly nominated unless the...

          6. Place for delivery of nomination papers

            1. 10.(1) The returning officer shall fix the place at which...

          7. Right to attend nomination

            1. 11.(1) Except for the purpose of delivering a nomination paper...

          8. Decisions as to validity of nomination papers

            1. 12.(1) Where a nomination paper and the candidate’s consent to...

          9. Withdrawal of candidates

            1. 13.(1) A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice of...

          10. Publication of statement of persons nominated

            1. 14.(1) The returning officer shall prepare and publish a statement...

          11. Correction of minor errors

            1. 14A.(1) A returning officer may, if he thinks fit, at...

          12. Disqualification by Representation of the People Act 1981

            1. 15.(1) If it appears to the returning officer that any...

          13. Adjournment of nomination proceedings in case of riot

            1. 16.(1) Where the proceedings for or in connection with nomination...

          14. Method of election

            1. 17.(1) If the statement of persons nominated shows more than...

      4. Part III Contested Elections

        1. General Provisions

          1. Poll to be taken by ballot

            1. 18.The votes at the poll shall be given by ballot,...

          2. The ballot papers

            1. 19.(1) The ballot of every voter shall consist of a...

          3. Corresponding number list

            1. 19A.(1) The returning officer must prepare a list containing the...

          4. The official mark

            1. 20.(1) Every ballot paper must contain an appropriate security marking...

          5. Prohibition of disclosure of vote

            1. 21.No person who has voted at the election shall, in...

          6. Use of schools and public rooms

            1. 22.(1) The returning officer may use, free of charge, for...

        2. Action to be Taken Before the Poll

          1. Notice of poll

            1. 23.(1) The returning officer shall in the statement of persons...

          2. Postal ballot papers

            1. 24.(1) The returning officer shall, in accordance with regulations, issue...

          3. Provision of polling stations

            1. 25.(1) The returning officer shall provide a sufficient number of...

          4. Appointment of presiding officers and clerks

            1. 26.(1) The returning officer shall appoint and pay a presiding...

          5. Special lists

            1. 27.. . . . . . . . . ....

          6. Issue of official poll cards

            1. 28.(1) The returning officer shall as soon as practicable after...

          7. Equipment of polling stations

            1. 29.(1) The returning officer shall provide each presiding officer with...

          8. Appointment of polling and counting agents

            1. 30.(1) Each candidate may, before the commencement of the poll,...

          9. Notification of requirement of secrecy

            1. 31.The returning officer shall make such arrangements as he thinks...

          10. Return of postal ballot papers

            1. 31A.(1) Where— (a) a postal vote has been returned in...

        3. The Poll

          1. Admission to polling station

            1. 32.(1) The presiding officer shall exclude all persons from the...

          2. Keeping of order in station

            1. 33.(1) It is the presiding officer’s duty to keep order...

          3. Sealing of ballot boxes

            1. 34.Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding officer...

          4. Questions to be put to voters

            1. 35.(1) At the time of the application (but not afterwards),...

          5. Challenge of voter

            1. 36.A person shall not be prevented from voting by reason...

          6. Voting procedure

            1. 37.(1) A ballot paper shall be delivered to a voter...

          7. Votes marked by presiding officer

            1. 38.(1) TheSubject to paragraph (1A) below, the presiding officer, on...

          8. Voting by persons with disabilities

            1. 39.(1) If a voter makes an application to the presiding...

          9. Tendered ballot papers

            1. 40.(1) If a person, representing himself to be—

          10. Refusal to deliver ballot paper

            1. 40A.(1) This rule applies where a presiding officer refuses to...

          11. Spoilt ballot papers

            1. 41.A voter who has inadvertently dealt with his ballot paper...

          12. Correction of errors on day of poll

            1. 41A.The presiding officer shall keep a list of persons to...

          13. Correction of errors on day of poll: Northern Ireland

            1. 41B.The presiding officer shall keep a list of persons to...

          14. Adjournment of poll in case of riot

            1. 42.(1) Where the proceedings at any polling station are interrupted...

          15. Procedure on close of poll

            1. 43.(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the...

        4. Counting of Votes

          1. Attendance at counting of votes

            1. 44.(1) The returning officer shall make arrangements for counting the...

          2. The count

            1. 45.(1) The returning officer shall— (a) in the presence of...

          3. Recount

            1. 46.(1) A candidate or his election agent may, if present...

          4. Rejected ballot papers

            1. 47.(1) Any ballot paper— (a) which does not bear the...

          5. Decisions on ballot papers

            1. 48.The decision of the returning officer on any question arising...

          6. Equality of votes

            1. 49.Where, after the counting of the votes (including any recount)...

      5. Part IV Final Proceedings in Contested and Uncontested Elections

        1. Declaration of result

          1. 50.(1) In a contested election, when the result of the...

        2. Return to the writ

          1. 51.(1) The returning officer shall return the name of the...

        3. Record of returns at Crown Office

          1. 52.(1) The Clerk of the Crown shall from the certificate...

        4. Return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit

          1. 53.(1) The deposit made under rule 9 of these rules...

      6. Part V Disposal of Documents

        1. Destruction of home address forms

          1. 53A.The returning officer shall destroy each candidate's home address form—...

        2. Sealing up of ballot papers

          1. 54.(1) On the completion of the counting at a contested...

        3. Delivery of documents to registration officer

          1. 55.(1) The returning officer shall then forward to the relevant...

        4. Orders for production of documents

          1. 56.(1) An order— (a) for the inspection or production of...

        5. Retention and public inspection of documents

          1. 57.(1) The relevant registration officer shall retain for a year...

        6. Disposal of documents in Scotland

          1. 58.(1) In the application of rules 55 to 57 to...

        7. Disposal of documents in Northern Ireland

          1. 59.In the application of rules 55 to 57 to elections...

      7. Part VI Death of Candidate

        1. Independent candidate

          1. 60.(1) This rule applies if at a contested election proof...

        2. Deceased independent candidate wins

          1. 61.(1) This rule applies if at an election mentioned in...

        3. Deceased independent candidate with equality of votes

          1. 62.In an election mentioned in rule 60(1), if—

        4. Party candidate

          1. 63.(1) This rule applies if— (a) at a contested election...

        5. Speaker of the House of Commons seeking re-election

          1. 64.(1) This rule applies if at a contested election—

        6. Abandoned poll

          1. 65.(1) This rule applies to— (a) a poll which is...

      8. Appendix of forms

        1. Note.—The forms contained in this Appendix may be adapted so...

        2. Form of writ

          1. *The name of the sovereign may be altered when necessary.

          2. †This preamble to be omitted execpt in case of a general election.   ‡Except in a general election insert here in the place of A. B., deceased or othewise, stating the cause of vacancy.

          3. And that you do cause the name of such Member...

          4. Witness Ourself at Westminster the   day of   in the   year...

        3. Label or direction of writ

          1. To the Returning Officer for the   Constituency.

          2. A writ of a new election of a Member for...

        4. Endorsement

          1. Received the within Writ on the   day of   , 19...

          2. (Signed)

          3. Returning Officer (or as the case may be.)

        5. Certificate endorsed on writ

          1. I hereby certify, that the Member elected for the   Constituency...

          2. (Signed)

          3. Returning Officer (or as the case may be.)

          4. Note: in relation to any constituency in Wales, “county” in...

        6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        7. Form of nomination paper

          1. ELECTION OF A MEMBER to serve in Parliament for the...

          2. We the undersigned, being electors for the said Constituency, do...

        8. NOTE

          1. 1.The attention of candidates and electors is drawn to the...

          2. 2.Where a candidate is commonly known by some title he...

          3. 2A.Where a candidate commonly uses a name which is different...

          4. 2B.But the ballot paper will show the other name if...

          5. 3.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          6. 4.An elector may not subscribe more than one nomination paper...

          7. 5.A person whose name is entered in the register ....

        9. Form of Ballot Paper

          1. Form of Front of Ballot Paper

        10. VOTE FOR ONE CANDIDATE ONLY

          1. Counterfoil No.

          2. Form of Back of Ballot Paper

          3. No.

          4. Election for the Constituency on 19

          5. . . . . . . . . . ....

        11. Directions as to printing the ballot paper

          1. 1.Nothing is to be printed on the ballot paper except...

          2. 2.So far as practicable, the following arrangements shall be observed...

          3. 2A.The direction mentioned in paragraph 2(a) above shall be printed...

          4. 2B.Nothing in paragraph 2 prohibits the face of the ballot...

          5. 3.The surname of each candidate shall in all cases be...

          6. 3A.Where an emblem is to be printed against a candidate’s...

          7. 4.The number and other unique identifying mark may be printed...

        12. Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting

          GUIDANCE FOR VOTERS

          1. 1.When you are given a ballot paper go to one...

          2. 2.Vote for one candidate only. Put no other mark on...

          3. 3.Fold the ballot paper in two. Show the back of...

          4. 4.If by mistake you spoil a ballot paper, show it...

        13. Form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities

          1. *State the relationship of the companion to the voter.

          2. (Signed) A. B.,

          3.    day of   19   .

          4. I, the undersigned, being the presiding officer for the   polling...

          5. (Signed) G. H.,

          6.    day of   19   .

          7.   minutes past   o’clock [a.m.] [p.m.]

          8. NOTE 1.If the person making the above declaration knowingly and...

          9. 2. A voter with disabilities is a voter who has...

    3. SCHEDULE 2

      Provisions Which May be Contained in Regulations as to Registration Etc.

      1. 1.(1) Provisions prescribing the arrangements to be made for the...

      2. 2.Provisions imposing on registration officers the duty of requiring persons...

      3. 2A.Provisions requiring registration officers to remind persons registered in pursuance...

      4. 2B.Provisions requiring registration officers to remind persons with anonymous entries...

      5. 3.Provisions laying down a timetable for the preparation of the...

      6. 3A.Provisions as to the form and contents of applications for...

      7. 3B.Provisions as to the form and content of applications for...

      8. 4.Provisions as to the manner in which service declarations, and...

      9. 5.(1) Provisions as to the evidence which shall or may...

      10. 5A.(1) Provision requiring applications under paragraph 3 or 4 of...

      11. 6.Provisions as to the cases in which an application or...

      12. 7.Provisions authorising a registration officer to require any person’s evidence...

      13. 8.Provisions requiring the registration officer to prepare a special list...

      14. 8A.Provisions requiring the registration officer to prepare a record of...

      15. 9.. . . . . . . . . ....

      16. 10.(1) Provisions requiring a registration officer to prepare, in addition...

      17. 10A.Provisions requiring copies of the full register and other documents,...

      18. 10B.(1) Provisions authorising or requiring a registration officer—

      19. 11.(1) Provisions imposing prohibitions or restrictions relating to the extent...

      20. 11A.(1) Provisions authorising or requiring registration officers who are data...

      21. 12.Provisions as to the arrangements to be made in relation...

      22. 12A.Regulations under section 53 making provision as mentioned in paragraph...

      23. 13.(1) Provisions making it an offence (punishable on summary conviction...

    4. Schedule 2A

      Control of Donations to Candidates

      1. Part I Introductory

        1. Operation and interpretation of Schedule

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

        2. Donations: general rules

          1. 2.(1) “ Donation ”, in relation to a candidate at...

        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 candidate or his...

        2. Acceptance or return of donations

          1. 7.(1) Sections 56 to 60 of the 2000 Act shall...

        3. Transfer of donations received by candidate to election agent

          1. 8.(1) Sub-paragraph (2) below applies in relation to any relevant...

        4. Evasion of restrictions on donations

          1. 9.Section 61 of the 2000 Act shall apply for the...

      3. Part III Reporting of donations

        1. Statement of relevant donations

          1. 10.(1) The candidate’s election agent must include in any return...

        2. Donations from permissible donors

          1. 11.The statement must record, in relation to each relevant donation...

        3. Donations from impermissible donors

          1. 12.(1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph...

    5. SCHEDULE 3

      Return and Declarations as to Election Expenses

    6. SCHEDULE 4

      Election Expenses at Certain Local Elections in England and Wales

      1. 1.(1) Any claim against any person in respect of any...

      2. 2.Every agent of a candidate at the election shall, within...

      3. 3.Within 28 days after the day of election every candidate...

      4. 4.(1) After the expiry of the time for making the...

      5. 5.If the candidate fails to make that return and declaration...

      6. 6.The High Court, an election court or the county court...

      7. 7.(1) If the candidate applies to the High Court, an...

      8. 8.(1) The return and declaration shall be kept at the...

      9. 9.For the purposes of this Schedule— (a) the jurisdiction vested...

    7. SCHEDULE 4A

      Election expenses

      1. Part 1 List of matters

        1. 1.Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used). Expenses in...

        2. 2.Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by...

        3. 3.Transport (by any means) of persons to any place. Expenses...

        4. 4.Public meetings (of any kind). Expenses in respect of such...

        5. 5.The services of an election agent or any other person...

        6. 6.Accommodation and administrative costs.

      2. Part 2 General Exclusions

        1. 7.The payment of any deposit required by rule 9 of...

        2. 8.The publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating...

        3. 9.The provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any...

        4. 10.The provision by an individual of his own services which...

        5. 11.(1) Accommodation which is the candidate's sole or main residence....

        6. 12.(1) Transport by a means of transport which was acquired...

        7. 13.(1) Computing or printing equipment which was acquired by the...

      3. Part 3 Supplemental

        1. Guidance by Commission

          1. 14.(1) The Electoral Commission (“ the Commission ”) may prepare,...

        2. Power to amend Parts 1 and 2

          1. 15.(1) The Secretary of State may by order made by...

    8. SCHEDULE 4B

      Scottish local government elections: election expenses

      1. Part 1 List of matters

        1. 1.Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used). Expenses in...

        2. 2.Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by...

        3. 3.Transport (by any means) of persons to any place. Expenses...

        4. 4.Public meetings (of any kind). Expenses in respect of such...

        5. 5.The services of an election agent or any other person...

        6. 6.Accommodation and administrative costs.

      2. Part 2 General exclusions

        1. 7.The publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating...

        2. 8.The provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any...

        3. 9.The provision by an individual of his own services which...

        4. 10.(1) Accommodation which is the candidate's sole or main residence....

        5. 11.(1) Transport by a means of transport which was acquired...

        6. 12.(1) Computing or printing equipment which was acquired by the...

      3. Part 3 Power to amend Parts 1 and 2

        1. 13.(1) The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory...

    9. SCHEDULE 5

      Use for Parliamentary Election Meetings of Rooms in School Premises and of Meeting Rooms

      1. 1.(1) Any arrangements for the use of a room in...

      2. 2.(1) Every local education authority shall prepare and revise for...

      3. 3.(1) Every district in the London borough council and every...

      4. 4.The lists of rooms in school premises and of meeting...

      5. 5.In the event of a dissolution, or of a vacancy...

      6. 6.In the application of this Schedule to Scotland—

    10. SCHEDULE 6

      Ward Elections in the City

      1. 1.Without prejudice to the application of any provision of this...

      2. 2.Notwithstanding anything in section 6(1) of the City Act—

      3. 3.Ward lists and provisional ward lists shall give for any...

      4. 4.Claims and objections asking for the omission, insertion or alteration...

      5. 5.Any power under this Act to prescribe the form of...

      6. 6.Nothing in this Act affects the operation of . ....

    11. SCHEDULE 7

      Transitional and Saving Provisions, and Interpretation of other Acts

      1. Part I Transitional and Saving Provisions

        1. General

          1. 1.Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...

          2. 2.The imposition or subsistence of an incapacity is not affected...

        2. Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

          1. 3.. . . . . . . . . ....

        3. Licensing Act 1964

          1. 4.Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of section 24(2) of...

        4. Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

          1. 5.So far as sections 8(4) and 26 of this Act...

        5. Variation of limits of candidates’ election expenses

          1. 6.. . . . . . . . . ....

        6. Section 254 of the Local Government Act 1972

          1. 7.Any power exercisable under section 254 of the Local Government...

        7. Criminal Justice Act 1982

          1. 8.. . . . . . . . . ....

        8. Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982

          1. 9.. . . . . . . . . ....

      2. Part II Interpretation of Other Acts

        1. Register, electors, etc.

          1. 10.(1) A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to—

        2. Registration and returning officers

          1. 11.A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to—

        3. Registration expenses

          1. 12.A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to registration expenses...

        4. Supplemental

          1. 13.(1) Subject to this paragraph, the provisions of paragraphs 10...

    12. SCHEDULE 8

      Consequential Amendments Acts

      1. Public Meeting Act 1908

        1. 1.After subsection (3) of section 1 of the Public Meeting...

      2. City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957

        1. 2.In section 4 of the City of London (Various Powers)...

        2. 3.In section 8 of the City of London (Various Powers)...

        3. 4.In section 9(4) of the City of London (Various Powers)...

      3. City of London (Various Powers) Act 1960

        1. 5.In section 39 of the City of London (Various Powers)...

      4. London Government Act 1963

        1. 6.In Schedule 3 to the London Government Act 1963—

      5. Licensing Act 1964

        1. 7.In section 12(2) of the Licensing Act 1964 for “section...

        2. 8.In section 67(5) of the Licensing Act 1964 for “Representation...

        3. 9.In section 67(6) of the Licensing Act 1964—

        4. 10.In Schedule 8 to the Licensing Act 1964—

      6. Post Office Act 1969

        1. 11.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. Local Government Act 1972

        1. 12.In the following provisions of the Local Government Act 1972...

        2. 13.In section 89(6) of the Local Government Act 1972 for...

        3. 14.In paragraphs 18(5) and 34(5) of Schedule 12 to the...

      8. Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973

        1. 15.In the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973—

        2. 16.. . . . . . . . . ....

      9. Juries Act 1974

        1. 17.In section 3(1) of the Juries Act 1974, for “Representation...

      10. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

        1. 18.In section 6(3) of the House of Commons Disqualification Act...

        2. 19.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        3. 20.In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...

      11. European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978

        1. 21.In section 4(2) of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978—...

        2. 22.In paragraph (b) of section 7(2) of the European Parliamentary...

        3. 23.In paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 1 to the European Parliamentary...

      12. Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978

        1. 24.In paragraph (h) of section 35(2) of the Judicature (Northern...

        2. 25.In section 108(1) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978...

      13. Senior Courts Act 1981

        1. 26.In section 142(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 ,...

      14. Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982

        1. 27.. . . . . . . . . ....

      15. Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

        1. 28.In Schedule 1 to the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance...

    13. SCHEDULE 9

      Repeals and Revocations

      1. Part I Repeals of Obsolete Provisions

      2. Part II Consequential Repeals

      3. Part III Consequential Revocations

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