Representation of the People Act 1983
Part I Parliamentary and Local Government Franchise and its Exercise
Parliamentary and local government franchise
1 Parliamentary electors.
2 Local government electors.
3 Disfranchisement of offenders in prison etc.
3A Disfranchisement of offenders detained in mental hospitals.
Entitlement to registration
4 Entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local government elector.
5 Residence: general.
6 Residence: merchant seamen.
7 Residence: patients in mental hospitals who are not detained offenders or on remand.
7A Residence: persons remanded in custody etc.
7B Notional residence: declarations of local connection.
7C Effect of declaration of local connection.
Registration of parliamentary and local government electors
8 Registration officers.
9 Registers of electors.
9ARegistration officers: duty to take necessary steps
9BAnonymous registration
9CRemoval of anonymous entry
10 Maintenance of registers: duty to conduct canvass.
10ZANorthern Ireland: timing of canvass
10ZBThe relevant registration objectives (Northern Ireland)
10AMaintenance of the registers: registration of electors.
11 Correction of registers.
12 Right to be registered.
13 Publication of registers.
13A Alteration of registers.
13B Alteration of registers: pending elections.
13BAAlteration of registers in Northern Ireland: pending elections
13BBElection falling within canvass period
13C Electoral identity card: Northern Ireland
13CAScottish local government elections: false information in connection with applications for absent voting
13D Provision of false information
Service qualifications and declarations for registration
14 Service qualification.
15 Service declaration.
16 Contents of service declaration.
17 Effect of service declaration.
Place and manner of voting at parliamentary elections
18Polling districts and places at parliamentary elections.
18APolling districts at parliamentary elections
18BPolling places at parliamentary elections
18CReview of polling districts and places
18DReview of polling districts and places: representations to Electoral Commission
18ESections 18A to 18D: supplemental
19, 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21, 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conduct of parliamentary elections
23 Rules for parliamentary elections.
24 Returning officers: England and Wales.
25 Returning officers: Scotland.
26 Returning officer: Northern Ireland.
27 Returning officers generally.
28 Discharge of returning officer’s functions in England and Wales.
29 Payments by and to returning officer.
30 Taxation of returning officer’s account.
Place and manner of voting at local government elections
31 Polling districts and stations at local government elections.
32–34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conduct of local government elections in England and Wales
35 Returning officers: local elections in England and Wales.
36 Local elections in England and Wales.
37 Ordinary day of local elections in England and Wales.
37APower to change date of local elections to date of European Parliamentary general election: England
37BPower to change date of local elections to date of European Parliamentary general election: Wales
38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39 Local elections void etc. in England and Wales.
40 Timing as to local elections in England and Wales.
Conduct of local government elections in Scotland
41 Returning officers: local elections in Scotland.
42 Local elections in Scotland.
43 Day of ordinary local elections in Scotland, and other timing provisions.
44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45 Non-election of local authority etc. in Scotland.
Supplemental provisions as to local government elections
46 Further provision as to local election voting.
47 Loan of equipment for local elections.
48 Validity of local elections, and legal costs.
Supplemental provisions as to parliamentary and local government elections
49 Effect of registers.
50 Effect of misdescription.
51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52 Discharge of registration duties.
53 Power to make regulations as to registration etc.
54 Payment of expenses of registration.
55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56 Registration appeals: England and Wales.
57 Registration appeals: Scotland.
58 Registration appeals: Northern Ireland.
59 Supplemental provisions as to members of forces and service voters.
Offences
60 Personation.
61 Other voting offences.
62 Offences as to declarations.
62AOffences relating to applications for postal and proxy votes
62BScottish local government elections: offences relating to applications for postal and proxy votes
63 Breach of official duty.
64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65 Tampering with nomination papers, ballot papers, etc.
65A False statements in nomination papers etc.
65BScottish local government elections: false information in nomination papers etc.
66 Requirement of secrecy.
66A Prohibition on publication of exit polls.
66BFailure to comply with conditions relating to supply etc. of certain documents
Part II The Election Campaign
The Election agent
67 Appointment of election agent
68 Nomination of sub-agent at parliamentary or Authority elections.
69 Office of election agent and sub-agent.
70 Effect of default in election agent’s appointment.
70A Application of s.70 in relation to election of London members of the London Assembly.
71 Elections where election agent not required.
Donations to candidates
71A Control of donations to candidates.
Election expenses
72 Making of contracts through election agent.
73 Payment of expenses through election agent.
74Expenses which may be paid otherwise than by election agent.
74A Expenses incurred otherwise than for election purposes.
75 Prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent.
75AScottish local government elections: prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent
76Limitation of election expenses.
76ZALimitation of pre-candidacy election expenses for certain general elections
76A Power to vary provisions about election expenses.
77 Expenses limit for joint candidates at local election.
78 Time for sending in and paying claims.
79 Disputed claims.
80 Election agent’s claim.
81 Return as to election expenses.
82 Declarations as to election expenses.
83 Where no return and declarations needed at parliamentary elections.
84 Penalty for failure as respects return or declarations.
85 Penalty for sitting or voting where no return and declarations transmitted.
85A Disqualification where no return and declarations transmitted after election of Mayor of London.
86 Authorised excuses for failures as to return and declarations.
87 Court’s power to require information from election agent or sub-agent.
87A Duty of appropriate officer to forward returns and declarations to Electoral Commission.
88 Publication of time and place for inspection of returns and declarations.
89 Inspection of returns and declarations.
90 Election expenses at elections where election agent not required.
90ZAMeaning of “election expenses”
90ZBScottish local government elections: meaning of “election expenses”
90A Meaning of “election expenses”.
90B Incurring of election expenses for purposes of section 90A.
90C Property, goods, services etc. provided free of charge or at a discount.
90D Modification of sections 90ZA and 90C in relation to election of London members of the London Assembly.
Publicity at parliamentary elections
91 Candidate’s right to send election address post free.
92 Broadcasting from outside United Kingdom.
93 Broadcasting of local items during election period.
94 Imitation poll cards.
Election meetings
95 Schools and rooms for parliamentary election meetings.
96 Schools and rooms for local election meetings.
97 Disturbances at election meetings.
98 Premises not affected for rates.
Agency by election officials and canvassing by police officers
99 Officials not to act for candidates.
100 Illegal canvassing by police officers.
Conveyance of voters to and from poll
101 No hiring of vehicles to convey voters.
102 No payments for conveyance of voters.
103 Provisions supplemental to ss. 101 and 102.
104“Carriage” in ss. 101 to 103.
105 Access to polling place by sea.
Other illegal practices, payments, employments or hirings
106 False statements as to candidates.
107 Corrupt withdrawal from candidature.
108 Premises not to be used as committee rooms.
109 Payments for exhibition of election notices.
110 Details to appear on election publications.
110AScottish local government elections: details to appear on election publications
111 Prohibition of paid canvassers.
112 Providing money for illegal purposes.
Bribery, treating and undue influence
113 Bribery.
114 Treating.
115 Undue influence.
Supplemental
116 Rights of creditors.
117 Savings as to parliamentary elections.
118 Interpretation of Part II.
118A Meaning of candidate.
119 Computation of time for purposes of Part II.
Part III Legal Proceedings
Questioning of a parliamentary election
120 Method of questioning parliamentary election.
121 Presentation and service of parliamentary election petition.
122 Time for presentation or amendment of parliamentary election petition.
123 Constitution of election court and place of trial.
124 Judges’ expenses and reception: England and Wales and Northern Ireland.
125 Judges’ expenses and reception: Scotland.
126 Attendance of House of Commons shorthand writer.
Questioning of a local election
127 Method of questioning local election.
128 Presentation of petition questioning local election.
129 Time for presentation or amendment of petition questioning local election.
130 Election court for local election in England and Wales, and place of trial.
131 Accommodation of and attendance on court.
132 Remuneration and allowances.
133 Repayments under ss. 131 and 132.
134 Election court for local election in Scotland, and place of trial.
135 Consequences of local election declared void.
135A Consequences of election or return of London members being declared void.
Procedure on all election petitions
136 Security for costs.
137 Petition at issue.
138 List of petitions.
139 Trial of petition.
140 Witnesses.
141 Duty to answer relevant questions.
142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
143 Expenses of witnesses.
144 Conclusion of trial of parliamentary election petition.
145 Conclusion of trial of local election petition.
145A Determination in respect of election of Mayor of London or constituency member of London Assembly.
146 Special case for determination of High Court.
147 Withdrawal of petition.
148 Evidence required for withdrawal of petition.
149 Penalty for corrupt withdrawal and breach of s. 148.
150 Substitution of new petitioner.
151 Report on withdrawal.
152 Abatement of petition.
153 Withdrawal and substitution of respondents before trial.
154 Costs of petition.
155 Neglect or refusal to pay costs.
156 Further provision as to costs.
157 Appeals and jurisdiction.
Consequences of finding by election court of corrupt or illegal practice
158 Report as to candidate guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice.
159 Candidate reported guilty of corrupt or illegal practice.
160 Persons reported personally guilty of corrupt or illegal practices.
Director of Public Prosecutions’ duty to report corrupt practice
161 Justice of the Peace.
162 Member of legal and certain other professions.
163 Holder of licence or certificate under Licensing Acts.
Further provision as to avoidance of elections and striking off votes
164 Avoidance of election for general corruption etc.
165 Avoidance of election for employing corrupt agent.
166 Votes to be struck off for corrupt or illegal practices.
Power to except innocent act from being illegal practice, payment, employment or hiring
167 Application for relief.
Prosecutions for corrupt or illegal practices
168 Prosecutions for corrupt practices.
169 Prosecutions for illegal practices.
170 Conviction of illegal practice on charge of corrupt practice etc.
171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
172. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
173 Incapacities on conviction of corrupt or illegal practice.
173A Incapacity to hold public or judicial office in Scotland.
Mitigation and remission of incapacities
174 Mitigation and remission etc.
Illegal payments, employments or hirings
175 Illegal payments etc.
General provisions as to prosecutions
176 Time limit for prosecutions.
177 Local election offence punishable summarily.
178 Prosecution of offences committed outside the United Kingdom.
179 Offences by associations.
180 Evidence by certificate of holding of elections.
180A Evidence by certificate of electoral registration.
181 Director of Public Prosecutions.
Supplemental
182 Rules of procedure.
183 Costs.
184 Service of notices.
185 Interpretation of Part III.
186 Computation of time for purposes of Part III.
Part IV Special Provisions as to Other Local Elections
England and Wales, and Scotland
187Application of Act to certain local elections.
188 Parts II and III as to local elections in Scotland.
189 Voting offences at certain local elections.
The Greater London Authority
189A Extension of references to elections under the local government Act.
190. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The City
191 Municipal elections in the City.
192. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
193 Personation and other voting offences.
194 Broadcasting.
195 Disturbances at meetings.
196 Costs or expenses.
197 Candidate’s expenses: ward, and liverymen in common hall, elections.
198 Effect of avoidance of election to corporate office.
Part V General and Supplemental
Supplemental
199. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
199AFunctions of the Lord Chancellor
199BTranslations etc of certain documents
199CScottish local government elections: translations etc. of certain documents
200 Public notices, and declarations.
200A Remuneration for free postal services provided under Act.
201 Regulations.
Interpretation
202 General provisions as to interpretation.
203 Local government provisions as to England and Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
204 General application to Scotland.
205 General application to Northern Ireland.
Operation
206 Transitional and saving provisions, amendments and repeals.
207 Citation and commencement.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE A1Review of polling districts and polling places
1The relevant authority must publish notice of the holding of...
2The authority must consult the returning officer for every parliamentary...
3(1) Every such returning officer must make representations to the...
4(1) The authority must seek representations from such persons as...
5Any elector in a constituency situated in whole or in...
6Representations made by any person in connection with a review...
7On completion of a review the authority must—
SCHEDULE 1
Parliamentary Elections Rules
Part I Provisions as to Time
1Timetable.
2Computation of time.
Part II Stages Common to Contested and Uncontested Elections
Issue of writ and notice of election
3Issue of writ.
4Conveyance of writ to acting returning officer.
5Notice of election.
Nomination
6Nomination of candidates.
7Subscription of nomination paper.
8Consent to nomination.
9Deposit.
10Place for delivery of nomination papers.
11Right to attend nomination.
12Decisions as to validity of nomination papers.
13Withdrawal of candidates.
14Publication of statement of persons nominated.
15Disqualification by Representation of the People Act 1981.
16Adjournment of nomination proceedings in case of riot.
17Method of election.
Part III Contested Elections
General Provisions
18Poll to be taken by ballot.
19The ballot papers.
20The official mark.
21Prohibition of disclosure of vote.
22Use of schools and public rooms.
Action to be taken before the poll
23Notice of poll.
24Postal ballot papers.
25Provision of polling stations.
26Appointment of presiding officers and clerks.
27. . . . . . . . . ....
28Issue of official poll cards.
29Equipment of polling stations.
30Appointment of polling and counting agents.
31Declaration of secrecy.
The poll
32Admission to polling station.
33Keeping of order in station.
34Sealing of ballot boxes.
35Questions to be put to voters.
36Challenge of voter.
37Voting procedure.
38Votes marked by presiding officer.
39Voting by blind persons.
40Tendered ballot papers.
41Spoilt ballot papers.
42Adjournment of poll in case of riot.
43Procedure on close of poll.
Counting of votes
44Attendance at counting of votes.
45The count.
46Re-count.
47Rejected ballot papers.
48Decisions on ballot papers.
49Equality of votes.
Part IV Final Proceedings in Contested and Uncontested Elections
50Declaration of result.
51Return to the writ.
52Record of returns at Crown Office.
53Return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit.
Part V Disposal of Documents
54Sealing up of ballot papers.
55Delivery of documents to Clerk of the Crown.
56Orders for production of documents.
57Retention and public inspection of documents.
58Disposal of documents in Scotland.
59Disposal of documents in Northern Ireland.
Part VI Death of Candidate
60Countermand or abandonment of poll on death of candidate
Appendix of Forms
Part I Provisions as to Time
Timetable
1The proceedings at the election shall be conducted in accordance...
Computation of time
2(1) In computing any period of time for the purposes...
Part II Stages Common to Contested and Uncontested Elections
Issue of Writ and Notice of Election
Issue of writ
3(1) Writs for parliamentary elections shall continue to be sealed...
Conveyance of writ to acting returning officer
4(1) For an election in a constituency in England and...
Notice of election
5(1) The returning officer shall publish notice of the election...
Nomination
Nomination of candidates
6(1) Each candidate shall be nominated by a separate nomination...
Nomination papers: name of registered political party
6A(1) A nomination paper may not include a description of...
Subscription of nomination paper
7(1) The nomination paper shall be subscribed by two electors...
Consent to nomination
8(1) A person shall not be validly nominated unless his...
Deposit
9(1) A person shall not be validly nominated unless the...
Place for delivery of nomination papers
10(1) The returning officer shall fix the place at which...
Right to attend nomination
11(1) Except for the purpose of delivering a nomination paper...
Decisions as to validity of nomination papers
12(1) Where a nomination paper and the candidate’s consent to...
Withdrawal of candidates
13(1) A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice of...
Publication of statement of persons nominated
14(1) The returning officer shall prepare and publish a statement...
Correction of minor errors
14A(1) A returning officer may, if he thinks fit, at...
Disqualification by Representation of the People Act 1981
15(1) If it appears to the returning officer that any...
Adjournment of nomination proceedings in case of riot
16(1) Where the proceedings for or in connection with nomination...
Method of election
17(1) If the statement of persons nominated shows more than...
Part III Contested Elections
General Provisions
Poll to be taken by ballot
18The votes at the poll shall be given by ballot,...
The ballot papers
19(1) The ballot of every voter shall consist of a...
Corresponding number list
19A(1) The returning officer must prepare a list containing the...
The official mark
20(1) Every ballot paper must contain an appropriate security marking...
Prohibition of disclosure of vote
21No person who has voted at the election shall, in...
Use of schools and public rooms
22(1) The returning officer may use, free of charge, for...
Action to be Taken Before the Poll
Notice of poll
23(1) The returning officer shall in the statement of persons...
Postal ballot papers
24(1) The returning officer shall, in accordance with regulations, issue...
Provision of polling stations
25(1) The returning officer shall provide a sufficient number of...
Appointment of presiding officers and clerks
26(1) The returning officer shall appoint and pay a presiding...
Special lists
27. . . . . . . . . ....
Issue of official poll cards
28(1) The returning officer shall as soon as practicable after...
Equipment of polling stations
29(1) The returning officer shall provide each presiding officer with...
Appointment of polling and counting agents
30(1) Each candidate may, before the commencement of the poll,...
Notification of requirement of secrecy
31The returning officer shall make such arrangements as he thinks...
Return of postal ballot papers
31A(1) Where— (a) a postal vote has been returned in...
The Poll
Admission to polling station
32(1) The presiding officer shall exclude all persons from the...
Keeping of order in station
33(1) It is the presiding officer’s duty to keep order...
Sealing of ballot boxes
34Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding officer...
Questions to be put to voters
35(1) At the time of the application (but not afterwards),...
Challenge of voter
36A person shall not be prevented from voting by reason...
Voting procedure
37(1) A ballot paper shall be delivered to a voter...
Votes marked by presiding officer
38(1) TheSubject to paragraph (1A) below, the presiding officer, on...
Voting by persons with disabilities
39(1) If a voter makes an application to the presiding...
Tendered ballot papers
40(1) If a person, representing himself to be—
Refusal to deliver ballot paper
40A(1) This rule applies where a presiding officer refuses to...
Spoilt ballot papers
41A voter who has inadvertently dealt with his ballot paper...
Correction of errors on day of poll
41AThe presiding officer shall keep a list of persons to...
Correction of errors on day of poll: Northern Ireland
41BThe presiding officer shall keep a list of persons to...
Adjournment of poll in case of riot
42(1) Where the proceedings at any polling station are interrupted...
Procedure on close of poll
43(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the...
Counting of Votes
Attendance at counting of votes
44(1) The returning officer shall make arrangements for counting the...
The count
45(1) The returning officer shall— (a) in the presence of...
Recount
46(1) A candidate or his election agent may, if present...
Rejected ballot papers
47(1) Any ballot paper— (a) which does not bear the...
Decisions on ballot papers
48The decision of the returning officer on any question arising...
Equality of votes
49Where, after the counting of the votes (including any recount)...
Part IV Final Proceedings in Contested and Uncontested Elections
Declaration of result
50(1) In a contested election, when the result of the...
Return to the writ
51(1) The returning officer shall return the name of the...
Record of returns at Crown Office
52(1) The Clerk of the Crown shall from the certificate...
Return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit
53(1) The deposit made under rule 9 of these rules...
Part V Disposal of Documents
Destruction of home address forms
53AThe returning officer shall destroy each candidate's home address form—...
Sealing up of ballot papers
54(1) On the completion of the counting at a contested...
Delivery of documents to registration officer
55(1) The returning officer shall then forward to the relevant...
Orders for production of documents
56(1) An order— (a) for the inspection or production of...
Retention and public inspection of documents
57(1) The relevant registration officer shall retain for a year...
Disposal of documents in Scotland
58(1) In the application of rules 55 to 57 to...
Disposal of documents in Northern Ireland
59In the application of rules 55 to 57 to elections...
Part VI Death of Candidate
Independent candidate
60(1) This rule applies if at a contested election proof...
Deceased independent candidate wins
61(1) This rule applies if at an election mentioned in...
Deceased independent candidate with equality of votes
62In an election mentioned in rule 60(1), if—
Party candidate
63(1) This rule applies if— (a) at a contested election...
Speaker of the House of Commons seeking re-election
64(1) This rule applies if at a contested election—
Abandoned poll
65(1) This rule applies to— (a) a poll which is...
Appendix of forms
Form of writ
*The name of the sovereign may be altered when necessary.
†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.
Label or direction of writ
Endorsement
Certificate endorsed on writ
Form of notice of election. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Form of nomination paper
NOTE
1The attention of candidates and electors is drawn to the...
2Where a candidate is commonly known by some title he...
2AWhere a candidate commonly uses a name which is different...
2BBut the ballot paper will show the other name if...
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4An elector may not subscribe more than one nomination paper...
5A person whose name is entered in the register ....
Form of Ballot Paper
VOTE FOR ONE CANDIDATE ONLY
Counterfoil No.
Directions as to printing the ballot paper
1Nothing is to be printed on the ballot paper except...
2So far as practicable, the following arrangements shall be observed...
2AThe direction mentioned in paragraph 2(a) above shall be printed...
2BNothing in paragraph 2 prohibits the face of the ballot...
3The surname of each candidate shall in all cases be...
3AWhere an emblem is to be printed against a candidate’s...
4The number and other unique identifying mark may be printed...
Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting GUIDANCE FOR VOTERS
1When you are given a ballot paper go to one...
2Vote for one candidate only. Put no other mark on...
3Fold the ballot paper in two. Show the back of...
4If by mistake you spoil a ballot paper, show it...
Form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities
*State the relationship of the companion to the voter.
SCHEDULE 2 Provisions Which May be Contained in Regulations as to Registration Etc.
1(1) Provisions prescribing the arrangements to be made for the...
2Provisions imposing on registration officers the duty of requiring persons...
2AProvisions requiring registration officers to remind persons registered in pursuance...
2BProvisions requiring registration officers to remind persons with anonymous entries...
3Provisions laying down a timetable for the preparation of the...
3AProvisions as to the form and contents of applications for...
3BProvisions as to the form and content of applications for...
4Provisions as to the manner in which service declarations, and...
5(1) Provisions as to the evidence which shall or may...
5A(1) Provision requiring applications under paragraph 3 or 4 of...
6Provisions as to the cases in which an application or...
7Provisions authorising a registration officer to require any person’s evidence...
8Provisions requiring the registration officer to prepare a special list...
8AProvisions requiring the registration officer to prepare a record of...
9. . . . . . . . . ....
10(1) Provisions requiring a registration officer to prepare, in addition...
10AProvisions requiring copies of the full register and other documents,...
10B(1) Provisions authorising or requiring a registration officer—
11(1) Provisions imposing prohibitions or restrictions relating to the extent...
11A(1) Provisions authorising or requiring registration officers who are data...
12Provisions as to the arrangements to be made in relation...
12ARegulations under section 53 making provision as mentioned in paragraph...
13(1) Provisions making it an offence (punishable on summary conviction...
Schedule 2A Control of Donations to Candidates
Part I Introductory
Operation and interpretation of Schedule
1(1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to candidates...
Donations: general rules
2(1) “ Donation ”, in relation to a candidate at...
Sponsorship
3(1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided...
Payments etc. not to be regarded as donations
4(1) None of the following shall be regarded as a...
Value of donations
5(1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a)...
Part II Controls on donations
Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors
6(1) A relevant donation received by a candidate or his...
Acceptance or return of donations
7(1) Sections 56 to 60 of the 2000 Act shall...
Transfer of donations received by candidate to election agent
8(1) Sub-paragraph (2) below applies in relation to any relevant...
Evasion of restrictions on donations
9Section 61 of the 2000 Act shall apply for the...
Part III Reporting of donations
Statement of relevant donations
10(1) The candidate’s election agent must include in any return...
Donations from permissible donors
11The statement must record, in relation to each relevant donation...
Donations from impermissible donors
12(1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph...
SCHEDULE 3 Return and Declarations as to Election Expenses
SCHEDULE 4 Election Expenses at Certain Local Elections in England and Wales
1(1) Any claim against any person in respect of any...
2Every agent of a candidate at the election shall, within...
3Within 28 days after the day of election every candidate...
4(1) After the expiry of the time for making the...
5If the candidate fails to make that return and declaration...
6The High Court, an election court or the county court...
7(1) If the candidate applies to the High Court, an...
8(1) The return and declaration shall be kept at the...
9For the purposes of this Schedule— (a) the jurisdiction vested...
SCHEDULE 4AElection expenses
Part 1List of matters
1Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used). Expenses in...
2Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by...
3Transport (by any means) of persons to any place. Expenses...
4Public meetings (of any kind). Expenses in respect of such...
5The services of an election agent or any other person...
6Accommodation and administrative costs.
Part 2General Exclusions
7The payment of any deposit required by rule 9 of...
8The publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating...
9The provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any...
10The provision by an individual of his own services which...
11(1) Accommodation which is the candidate's sole or main residence....
12(1) Transport by a means of transport which was acquired...
13(1) Computing or printing equipment which was acquired by the...
Part 3Supplemental
Guidance by Commission
14(1) The Electoral Commission (“ the Commission ”) may prepare,...
Power to amend Parts 1 and 2
15(1) The Secretary of State may by order made by...
SCHEDULE 4BScottish local government elections: election expenses
Part 1List of matters
1Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used). Expenses in...
2Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by...
3Transport (by any means) of persons to any place. Expenses...
4Public meetings (of any kind). Expenses in respect of such...
5The services of an election agent or any other person...
6Accommodation and administrative costs.
Part 2General exclusions
7The publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating...
8The provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any...
9The provision by an individual of his own services which...
10(1) Accommodation which is the candidate's sole or main residence....
11(1) Transport by a means of transport which was acquired...
12(1) Computing or printing equipment which was acquired by the...
Part 3Power to amend Parts 1 and 2
13(1) The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory...
SCHEDULE 5 Use for Parliamentary Election Meetings of Rooms in School Premises and of Meeting Rooms
1(1) Any arrangements for the use of a room in...
2(1) Every local education authority shall prepare and revise for...
3(1) Every district in the London borough council and every...
4The lists of rooms in school premises and of meeting...
5In the event of a dissolution, or of a vacancy...
6In the application of this Schedule to Scotland—
SCHEDULE 6 Ward Elections in the City
1Without prejudice to the application of any provision of this...
2Notwithstanding anything in section 6(1) of the City Act—
3Ward lists and provisional ward lists shall give for any...
4Claims and objections asking for the omission, insertion or alteration...
5Any power under this Act to prescribe the form of...
6Nothing in this Act affects the operation of . ....
SCHEDULE 7 Transitional and Saving Provisions, and Interpretation of other Acts
Part I Transitional and Saving Provisions
General
1Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...
2The imposition or subsistence of an incapacity is not affected...
Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962
3. . . . . . . . . ....
Licensing Act 1964
4Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of section 24(2) of...
Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973
5So far as sections 8(4) and 26 of this Act...
Variation of limits of candidates’ election expenses
6. . . . . . . . . ....
Section 254 of the Local Government Act 1972
7Any power exercisable under section 254 of the Local Government...
Criminal Justice Act 1982
8. . . . . . . . . ....
Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982
9. . . . . . . . . ....
Part II Interpretation of Other Acts
Register, electors, etc.
10(1) A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to—
Registration and returning officers
11A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to—
Registration expenses
12A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to registration expenses...
Supplemental
13(1) Subject to this paragraph, the provisions of paragraphs 10...
SCHEDULE 8 Consequential Amendments Acts
Public Meeting Act 1908
1After subsection (3) of section 1 of the Public Meeting...
City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957
2In section 4 of the City of London (Various Powers)...
3In section 8 of the City of London (Various Powers)...
4In section 9(4) of the City of London (Various Powers)...
City of London (Various Powers) Act 1960
5In section 39 of the City of London (Various Powers)...
London Government Act 1963
6In Schedule 3 to the London Government Act 1963—
Licensing Act 1964
7In section 12(2) of the Licensing Act 1964 for “section...
8In section 67(5) of the Licensing Act 1964 for “Representation...
9In section 67(6) of the Licensing Act 1964—
10In Schedule 8 to the Licensing Act 1964—
Post Office Act 1969
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Local Government Act 1972
12In the following provisions of the Local Government Act 1972...
13In section 89(6) of the Local Government Act 1972 for...
14In paragraphs 18(5) and 34(5) of Schedule 12 to the...
Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973
15In the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973—
16. . . . . . . . . ....
Juries Act 1974
17In section 3(1) of the Juries Act 1974, for “Representation...
House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
18In section 6(3) of the House of Commons Disqualification Act...
19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...
European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978
21In section 4(2) of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978—...
22In paragraph (b) of section 7(2) of the European Parliamentary...
23In paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 1 to the European Parliamentary...
Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978
24In paragraph (h) of section 35(2) of the Judicature (Northern...
25In section 108(1) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978...
Senior Courts Act 1981
26In section 142(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 ,...
Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982
27. . . . . . . . . ....
Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
28In Schedule 1 to the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance...
SCHEDULE 9 Repeals and Revocations
Part I Repeals of Obsolete Provisions
Part II Consequential Repeals
Part III Consequential Revocations

Representation of the People Act 1983

1983 c. 2

An Act to consolidate the Representation of the People Acts of 1949, 1969, 1977, 1978, and 1980, the Electoral Registers Acts of 1949 and 1953, the Elections (Welsh Forms) Act 1964, Part III of the Local Government Act 1972, sections 6 to 10 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Representation of the People (Armed Forces) Act 1976, the Returning Officers (Scotland) Act 1977, section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1981, section 62 of and Schedule 2 tothe Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982, and connected provisions; and to repeal as obsolete the Representation of the People Act 1979 and other enactments related to the Representation of the People Acts.

C1X1C2C3C4C5C6E1C7C8C9C10C11C12Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations:
Editorial Information
X1

In this Act references to constituency are to be construed as mentioned in Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 (c. 56, SIF 42), s. 1(2)

Extent Information
E1

Act extends to the United Kingdom, but see s. 205(2) for minor exclusions

Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1

Act applied by S.R. 1989/48 art. 2, Sch. Pt. VII para. 38(4)

Act applied (8.11.1994) by 1994 c. 39, ss. 5(1), 7(2); S.I. 1994/2850, art. 2, Sch. 1

Act applied (with modifications) (temp. from 6.1.1995 until 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1994/3255, arts. 4-7, Schs. II-IV

Act applied (with modifications) (19.3.1998) by S.I. 1998/746, art. 12, Sch. 1 Table 1

Act applied (with modifications) (28.5.1998) by S.I. 1998/1287, arts. 1(2)(a), 3(1)(3)(5), Sch. 1; S.I. 1998/1313, art. 2

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (1.2.2002) by The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/185), reg. 3(2), Sch. 2

Act applied (24.10.2002) by European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 (c. 24), ss. 9(3), 18(2)

Act applied (with modifications) (9.7.2003) by The Local and European Parliamentary Elections (Registration of Citizens of Accession States) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1557), reg. 2

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) (27.3.2007) by The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1024), reg. 3(2)(3)(a)(4), Sch. 2 (with Sch. 4 para. 9)

C3

Act extended (N.I.) with modifications by Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 3(7)

Act: specified provisions extended (with modifications) (23.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/1214, reg. 3(1)(4)(7), Sch. 1 (which S.I. was revoked (23.3.2004) by S.I. 2004/293, reg. 126)

Act (except ss. 67-70) (as extended by reg. 3(1)(4)(7), Sch. 1 of the amending S.I.) modified by S.I. 1999/1214, reg. 10(9), 11(9) (which S.I. was revoked (23.3.2004) by S.I. 2004/293, reg. 126)

C4

Act: power to apply conferred by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 3(7)(b)

Act: power to apply conferred (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 46, s. 12(4)(5)

Act: power to apply or incorporate conferred (1.12.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 11(3)(a); S.I. 1998/2789, art. 2

C6

Act continued (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/1298, reg. 10(1)(c)

C8

Act: s. 46(1)-(4) construed as part of the amending Act (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 46(5), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(v) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 4

C9

Act: power to amend conferred (1.1.2007) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 72, 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 10 (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2)

Act: power to amend conferred (25.7.2006) by Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), ss. 1(2)(a), 31(1)

C10

Act: power to modify conferred by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 160(1), s. 4(4)(a), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act.

Act: power to modify conferred by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 160(1), s. 13(4)(5), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act.

C12

Act: power to amend conferred (prosp.) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), ss. 34(3)(b), 43(1)