Part 3Anti-fraud measures
I114Absent voting: personal identifiers
1
In paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2) (application for absent vote for definite or indefinite period)—
a
in sub-paragraph (1)(b), after “application” insert “
contains the applicant's signature and date of birth and
”
;
b
in sub-paragraph (2)(c), after “application” insert “
contains the applicant's signature and date of birth and
”
;
c
after sub-paragraph (7) insert—
8
The registration officer may dispense with the requirement under sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (2)(c) for the applicant to provide a signature if he is satisfied that the applicant is unable—
a
to provide a signature because of any disability the applicant has,
b
to provide a signature because the applicant is unable to read or write, or
c
to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any such disability or inability.
9
The registration officer must also keep a record in relation to those whose applications under this paragraph have been granted showing—
a
their dates of birth;
b
except in cases where the registration officer in pursuance of sub-paragraph (8) has dispensed with the requirement to provide a signature, their signatures.
10
The record kept under sub-paragraph (9) must be retained by the registration officer for the prescribed period.
2
In paragraph 4 of that Schedule (application for absent vote at particular election)—
a
in sub-paragraph (1)(b), after “application” insert “
contains the applicant's signature and date of birth and
”
;
b
in sub-paragraph (2)(c), after “application” insert “
contains the applicant's signature and date of birth and
”
;
c
after sub-paragraph (4) insert—
5
The registration officer may dispense with the requirement under sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (2)(c) for the applicant to provide a signature if he is satisfied that the applicant is unable—
a
to provide a signature because of any disability the applicant has,
b
to provide a signature because the applicant is unable to read or write, or
c
to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any such disability or inability.
6
The registration officer must keep a record of those whose applications under this paragraph have been granted showing—
a
their dates of birth;
b
except in cases where the registration officer in pursuance of sub-paragraph (5) has dispensed with the requirement to provide a signature, their signatures.
7
The record kept under sub-paragraph (6) must be retained by the registration officer for the prescribed period.
3
In paragraph 7 of that Schedule (application for proxy postal vote)—
a
in sub-paragraph (5)(c), after “application” insert “
contains the applicant's signature and date of birth and
”
;
b
after sub-paragraph (10) (as inserted by section 38(6)(b) of this Act) insert—
11
The registration officer may dispense with the requirement under sub-paragraph (5)(c) for the applicant to provide a signature if he is satisfied that the applicant is unable—
a
to provide a signature because of any disability the applicant has,
b
to provide a signature because the applicant is unable to read or write, or
c
to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any such disability or inability.”
12
The registration officer must also keep a record in relation to those whose applications under sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (b) have been granted showing—
a
their dates of birth;
b
except in cases where the registration officer in pursuance of sub-paragraph (11) has dispensed with the requirement to provide a signature, their signatures.
13
The record kept under sub-paragraph (12) must be retained by the registration officer for the prescribed period.
4
After paragraph 7 of that Schedule insert—
Provision of fresh signatures
7A
1
A person who remains on the record kept under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) may, at any time, provide the registration officer with a fresh signature.
2
Anything required or authorised to be done for the purposes of any enactment in relation to a signature required to be provided in pursuance of this Schedule must be done in relation to a signature provided as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) instead of in relation to a signature provided on any earlier occasion.
7B
Regulations may make provision as to—
a
circumstances in which a registration officer may require a person who remains on the record kept under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) to provide a fresh signature;
b
the consequences of a person refusing or failing to comply with a requirement to provide a fresh signature.
Use of personal identifier information
7C
The registration officer must either —
a
provide the returning officer for an election with a copy of the information contained in records kept by the registration officer in pursuance of paragraphs 3(9), 4(6) and 7(12) in relation to electors at the election, or
b
give the returning officer access to such information.
7D
Information contained in records kept by a registration officer in pursuance of paragraph 3(9), 4(6) or 7(12) may be disclosed by him (subject to any prescribed conditions) to—
a
any other registration officer if he thinks that to do so will assist the other registration officer in the performance of his duties;
b
any person exercising functions in relation to the preparation or conduct of legal proceedings under the Representation of the People Acts;
c
such other persons for such other purposes relating to elections as may be prescribed.
5
The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—
a
enabling the registration officer to require an existing absent voter to provide the registration officer with a signature and date of birth;
b
as to the consequences of an existing absent voter refusing or failing in such circumstances as are prescribed to provide a signature and date of birth.
6
An existing absent voter is a person whose application under any of the following provisions of that Schedule has been granted before this section comes into force—
paragraph 3(1) or (2);
paragraph 4(1) or (2);
paragraph 7(4).
7
The regulations—
a
may make different provision for different purposes;
b
must be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
8
Nothing in this section or the amendments made by it has effect in relation to anything which is done only for the purposes of a local government election in Scotland.