Representation of the People Act 1983

7 (1) If the candidate applies to the High Court, an election court or the county court and shows that the failure to make that return and declaration or either of them or any error or false statement in them has arisen by reason of—

(a) his illness or absence, or

(b) the absence, death, illness or misconduct of any agent, clerk or officer, or

(c) inadvertence or any reasonable cause of a like nature,

and not by reason of any want of good faith on the applicant's part, the court may—

(i) after such notice of the application as it considers fit, and

(ii) on production of such evidence of the grounds stated in the application, and of the applicant's good faith, and otherwise, as it considers fit,

make such order allowing the authorised excuse for the failure, error or false statement as it considers just.

(2) The order may make the allowance conditional upon compliance with such terms as to the court seem best calculated for carrying into effect the objects of this Schedule, and the order shall relieve the applicant from any liability or consequence under this Act in respect of the matters excused by the order.

(3) The date of the order, or, if conditions and terms are to be complied with, the date on which the applicant fully complies with them, is referred to in this Act as the date of the allowance of the excuse.