33.Part 8 makes provision on the following topics:
the funding of election services;
performance standards for election services;
encouraging electoral participation;
criminal proceedings;
pre-consolidation amendments; and
legal incapacity to vote.
34.It establishes provision for the setting of performance standards by the Electoral Commission, for reports to be made on such standards and information to be provided about expenditure. It amends section 29 of the 1983 Act in relation to the funding of services and expenses of returning officers. It introduces a new power for returning officers and EROs to encourage the participation in the electoral process.
35.It provides for the time limit for bringing prosecutions to be extended by a magistrates’ court from 12 months to 24 months, following an application from a constable or Crown Prosecutor. In such a case the time limit for relevant documents to be kept can also be extended from 12 months to 24 months.