Part I The Electoral Commission

Commission’s general functions

I16 Reviews of electoral and political matters.

1

The Commission shall keep under review, and from time to time submit reports to the Secretary of State on, the following matters, namely—

a

such matters relating to elections to which this section applies as the Commission may determine from time to time;

b

such matters relating to referendums to which this section applies as the Commission may so determine;

F9ba

such matters relating to recall petitions as the Commission may so determine;

c

the redistribution of seats at parliamentary elections;

d

F6if any functions are transferred by an order under section 18(1), 19(1) or 20(1), the matters in relation to which those functions are exercisable;

e

the registration of political parties and the regulation of their income and expenditure;

f

political advertising in the broadcast and other electronic media;

g

the law relating to the matters mentioned in each of paragraphs (a) to (f).

2

At the request of the Secretary of State, and within such time as the Secretary of State may specify, the Commission shall—

a

review, and

b

submit a report to the Secretary of State on,

such matter or matters (whether or not falling within subsection (1)) as the Secretary of State may specify.

3

The Commission shall not, however, carry out any review (or make any report) under this section with respect to any of the following matters, namely—

a

the funding of political parties under section 97 of the M1Scotland Act 1998 or for the purpose of assisting members of the Northern Ireland Assembly connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties F1or the funding of political groups under section 24 of the Government of Wales Act 2006;

b

the conduct of referendums held in pursuance of any provision made by or under an Act of the Scottish Parliament F10, Senedd Cymru or the Northern Ireland Assembly or the conduct of any poll under F2section 64 of the Government of Wales Act 2006;

F12ba

how a member of the House of Commons becomes subject to a recall petition process under sections 1 to 5 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015;

c

the law relating to the matters mentioned in each of paragraphs (a) F8to (ba).

4

Where any review carried out under this section relates to elections F14, referendums or recall petitions in Northern Ireland, the Commission shall consult the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland with respect to such electionsF14, referendums or recall petitions.

5

Each report made by the Commission under this section shall be published by them in such manner as they may determine.

6

The elections and referendums to which this section applies are—

a

in the case of elections—

i

the elections mentioned in section 5(2) F13other than those mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection,

ii

local government elections in England F3..., F7...

iii

local elections in Northern Ireland; and

F5iv

local government elections in Scotland; and

b

in the case of referendums, referendums to which Part VII applies F11and those under Part II of the M2Local Government Act 2000.

F46A

This section is subject to section 6ZA.