The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) (Fresh Signatures for Absent Voters) Order 2013

Statutory Instruments

2013 No. 1514

Representation Of The People

The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) (Fresh Signatures for Absent Voters) Order 2013

Made

19th June 2013

Coming into force in accordance with article 1

This Order is made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 13(1) and (4) of the Government of Wales Act 2006(1).

The Secretary of State has consulted the Electoral Commission about this Order in accordance with section 7(1) and (2)(f) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000(2).

A draft of this Order has been laid before Parliament in accordance with section 13(7) of the Government of Wales Act 2006, and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Citation and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) (Fresh Signatures for Absent Voters) Order 2013 and comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.

Modification of the requirement to provide fresh signatures at five yearly intervals

2.—(1) In the period beginning on 31st July 2013 and ending on the 31st December 2014, the National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007(3) shall have effect with the following modification.

(2) Paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 (requirement to provide fresh signatures at five yearly intervals) shall have effect as if sub-paragraph (1) were replaced with—

“(1) Every person who remains an absent voter and whose signature held on the personal identifiers record would be more than five years old on 31st January 2014 must be sent a notice in writing by the registration officer no earlier than 1st August 2013 and no later than 19th August 2013—

(a) requiring the person to provide a fresh signature; and

(b) informing the person of the date (six weeks from the date of sending the notice) on which the person would cease to be entitled to vote by post or by proxy in the event of a failure or refusal to provide a fresh signature.”.

David Jones

Secretary of State

Wales Office

Gwydyr House,

London

19th June 2013

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order modifies (for a limited period) the National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007 in line with the transitional arrangements for the implementation of individual electoral registration under the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013. It modifies the provisions relating to the mandatory signature refresh for absent voters so that the absent voters who would otherwise be requested to provide a new example of their signature in January 2014 will instead be requested to do so between 1st and 19th August 2013.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.

(1)

2006 c.32.

(2)

2000 c.41. In section 7, subsection (2)(f) was amended by article 3 of, and Schedule 1 to, S.I. 2007/1388.

(3)

S.I. 2007/236.