Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)

Part I U.K. The Electoral Commission

Commission’s general functions U.K.

[F1 6C Accredited observers: individuals U.K.

(1) A person who is aged 16 or over may apply to the Commission to be an accredited observer at any of the following proceedings relating to an election specified in subsection (5) of section 6A or a referendum to which Part 7 applies—

(a) proceedings at the issue or receipt of postal ballot papers;

(b) proceedings at the poll;

(c) proceedings at the counting of votes.

(2) If the Commission grant the application, the accredited observer may attend the proceedings in question.

(3) An application under subsection (1) must be made in the manner specified in the code of practice issued under section 6F [F2 or 6G] [F3 or, in relation to [F4 a Scottish Parliamentary general election, an election under section 9 of the Scotland Act 1998 (constituency vacancies) or] a local government election in Scotland, section 6G].

(4) The Commission may at any time revoke the grant of an application under subsection (1).

(5) If the Commission—

(a) refuse an application under subsection (1), or

(b) revoke the grant of any such application,

they must give their decision in writing and must at the same time give reasons in writing for the refusal or revocation.

(6) The right conferred on an accredited observer by this section is subject to any enactment which regulates attendance at the proceedings in question.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 6A-6F inserted (31.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 29, 77(2); S.I. 2006/3412, art. 5 (with art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2(2), 4(k)

F2 Words in s. 6C(3) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 5; S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)

F3 Words in s. 6C(3) inserted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 10), ss. 11(3), 21(1); S.S.I. 2011/277, art. 2(b)

F4 Words in s. 6C(3) inserted (S.) (1.10.2020) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), ss. 11(3), 35; S.S.I. 2020/278, reg. 2, sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 6C applied (with modifications) (E.) (27.7.2007) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2089), regs. 1(2)(3), 8, 11, 13, {Sch. 4 Table 4}

C2 S. 6C applied (with modifications) (W.) (23.7.2008) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Wales) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1848), regs. 1(2), 8, {Sch. 4 Table 3}

C3 S. 6C applied (with modifications) (E.) (9.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums)(England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/323), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 4

C4 S. 6C applied (with modifications) (18.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/444), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 4 (with reg. 27)

C5 S. 6C applied (with modifications) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 4

C6 S. 6C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/2031, reg. 17, Sch. 8 Table 3 (as inserted (6.4.2013) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/798), regs. 1, 7, Sch. 3)

C7 S. 6C modified (26.2.2016) by The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/219), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 3

C8 S. 6C applied (4.3.2016) by The Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/295), reg. 150