The European Parliamentary Elections (Anonymous Registration) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2014

Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the European Parliamentary Elections (Anonymous Registration) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2014 and come into force on 15th September 2014.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3), (4) and (5), these Regulations extend to Northern Ireland only.

(3) This regulation extends throughout the United Kingdom and to Gibraltar.

(4) Regulations 2 to 8 extend throughout the United Kingdom.

(5) Regulation 53 extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Gibraltar only.

(6) In these Regulations—

“the 2001 Franchise Regulations” means the European Parliamentary Elections (Franchise of Relevant Citizens of the Union) Regulations 2001(1); and

“the 2004 Regulations” means the European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004(2).

Amendments of the 2001 Franchise Regulations

2.  The 2001 Franchise Regulations are amended as follows.

3.  In regulation 4 (entitlement of relevant citizen of the Union to be registered as European Parliamentary elector)(3), after paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) If a person entitled to be registered by virtue of paragraph (4) above has an anonymous entry in the register, the references in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that paragraph to his entry in the register are to be read as references to his entry in the record of anonymous entries prepared under regulation 45A of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001(4), regulation 45A of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001(5), or regulation 53A of the Representation of the People Regulations 2008(6), as applied by these Regulations.”.

4.  In regulation 5 (registration officers), in paragraph (3), for “names of” substitute “entries for”.

5.  In regulation 6 (form of application and declaration required by regulation 4(1))(7), in paragraph (1)—

(a) at the end of sub-paragraph (e) omit “and”;

(b) at the end of sub-paragraph (f) insert—

“; and

(g) in the case of an applicant whose application is accompanied by an application for an anonymous entry, that fact.”.

6.  In regulation 8 (copies of certain applications and declarations to be sent to the Secretary of State)(8), in paragraph (1)—

(a) for “name of a relevant citizen” substitute “entry for a relevant citizen”; and

(b) for “entered the name in the register” substitute “registered the entry in the register”.

7.  In regulation 10 (removal of names from the register)—

(a) in the header, for “names” substitute “entries”;

(b) in paragraph (2)(c), for “name” substitute “entry”; and

(c) in paragraph (4), for “name of” substitute “entry for”.

8.—(1) The Schedule (application with modifications of the 1983 Act and various Representation of the People Regulations for registration under these Regulations)(9) is amended as follows.

(2) In Part 1 (the 1983 Act(10))—

(a) in the right hand column of the Schedule, alongside the entry in respect of section 9B (anonymous registration)(11)—

(i) for the paragraph beginning “In subsection (1)” substitute—

“In subsection (1)(a), for “section 10ZC or 10A(1)(a)” substitute “regulation 6 of the 2001 Regulations(12)”.”, and

(ii) after the paragraph beginning “In subsection (4)” insert—

“In subsection (6), for “section 10ZC or 10A(1)(a)” substitute “regulation 6 of the 2001 Regulations”.”; and

(b) in the right hand column of the Schedule, alongside the entry in respect of section 9C (removal of anonymous entry), in the paragraph beginning “After subsection (1)”—

(i) for “After subsection (1)” substitute “After subsection (1E)”,

(ii) the inserted subsection becomes subsection (1F), and

(iii) in that inserted subsection, for “by virtue of subsection (1)” substitute “by virtue of this section”.

(3) In Part 2, in the section relating to the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008(13)—

(a) after the entry in respect of regulation 38 (hearing of reviews) insert—

“Regulation 38A (anonymous registration: applications and declarations)(14)	In paragraph (1)(b), for “regulation 27(1)(b)” substitute “regulation 6(1)(b) of the 2001 Regulations”. For paragraph (7) substitute— “(7) In this regulation, “an application for an absent vote” means an application under regulation 8 of the European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004(15).”
Regulation 38B (anonymous registration: determination of applications by the registration officer)
Regulation 38C (anonymous registration: evidence consisting of relevant court orders or injunctions)
Regulation 38D (anonymous registration: evidence by attestation)
Regulation 38E (anonymous registration: review of entitlement to an anonymous entry)”;

(b) after the entry in respect of regulation 50 (order of names), insert—

	“Regulation 50A (anonymous entries)(16);
Regulation 53A (record of anonymous entries)	In paragraph (4), for the words from “section 6(6) or 9(12) of the 1985 Act” to the end substitute “regulation 8(8) or 11(11) of the European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004(17)”.
Regulation 53B (duties of registration officer and his staff in relation to record of anonymous entries)
Regulation 53C (supply of the record of anonymous entries to police forces and other organisations)
Regulation 53D (certificate of anonymous registration)”.

Amendments of the 2004 Regulations

9.  The 2004 Regulations are amended as follows.

10.  In regulation 2 (interpretation)(18)—

(a) after the definition of “the absent voters list” insert—

““anonymous entry” has the same meaning as in the 1983 Act (see section 202(1) of that Act);”;

(b) in the definition of “elector”, after “such a register” insert “(or, in the case of a person with an anonymous entry in the register, in the record of anonymous entries)”; and

(c) after the definition of “the proxy postal voters list” insert—

““record of anonymous entries” means a record prepared under regulation 53A of the 2008 Regulations(19);”.

11.  In regulation 7 (manner of voting)(20), after paragraph (6) insert—

“(6ZA) Nothing in paragraphs (1) to (5) applies to a person who has an anonymous entry in the register of electors; and such a person may only vote by post or by proxy (where entitled as an elector to vote by post or, as the case may be, by proxy at the election).”.

12.  In regulation 8 (absent vote at elections for an indefinite period)(21)—

(a) after paragraph (4)(a) insert—

“(aa) if he has an anonymous entry,”; and

(b) in paragraph (6)—

(i) at the end of sub-paragraph (b) omit “or”, and

(ii) after sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“(ba) if he ceases to have an anonymous entry, or”.

13.  In regulation 9 (absent vote at a particular election and absent voters list), after paragraph (6) insert—

“(6A) But in the case of a person who has an anonymous entry, the list mentioned in paragraph (6)(a) or (b) must contain only—

(a) the person’s electoral number, and

(b) the date on which the person’s entitlement to remain registered anonymously will terminate under section 9C(1A) of the 1983 Act (in the absence of a further application under section 9B of that Act)(22).”.

14.  In regulation 11 (voting as proxy)(23)—

(a) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) But in the case of a person entitled to vote as proxy for an elector who has an anonymous entry—

(a) paragraph (1) does not apply, and

(b) the person may only vote by post (where entitled as a proxy to vote by post).”;

(b) in paragraph (4), at the end of sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“or

(c) the elector has an anonymous entry,”;

(c) in paragraph (6), at the end of sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“or

(c) the elector has an anonymous entry.”;

(d) after paragraph (8) insert—

“(8A) In the case of a person who has an anonymous entry, the list mentioned in paragraph (8)(a) or (b) must contain only—

(a) the person’s electoral number, and

(b) the date on which the entitlement of the person to remain registered anonymously will terminate under section 9C(1A) of the 1983 Act (in the absence of a further application under section 9B of that Act).

(8B) In the case of a person who is the proxy for an elector who has an anonymous entry, the list mentioned in paragraph (8)(a) or (b) must contain only—

(a) the person’s electoral number, and

(b) the date on which the elector’s entitlement to remain registered anonymously will terminate under section 9C(1A) of the 1983 Act (in the absence of a further application under section 9B of that Act).”;

(e) in paragraph (10), after sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“(ba) where he was included in the record on the ground mentioned in paragraph (4)(c), if the elector ceases to have an anonymous entry,”.

15.  In regulation 18 (effect of registers)(24), after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Paragraph (1) applies to an entry in the record of anonymous entries as it applies to an entry in the register of electors.”.

16.  In regulation 58 (candidate’s right to send election address post free)(25), after paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) A candidate may require the returning officer to make arrangements with the universal service provider for communications under paragraph (1)(b) to be sent to persons who have anonymous entries in the register and to persons who would be shown in the list of proxies for the election but for regulation 9(6A).

(2B) Arrangements under paragraph (2A) must be such as to ensure that it is not disclosed to any other person that the addressee of such a communication has an anonymous entry or is the proxy for an elector with an anonymous entry.”

17.  In regulation 80 (presentation and service of European Parliamentary election petitions), after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) The reference in paragraph (1) to a person who voted as an elector at the election or who had a right so to vote does not include a person who, on the day of the election, had an anonymous entry in the register of electors.”.

Amendments of the European Parliamentary Elections Rules

18.  Schedule 1 to the 2004 Regulations (European Parliamentary elections rules)(26) is amended as follows.

19.  In rule 29 (issue of official poll cards)—

(a) in paragraph (1), omit the words from “need not be sent to any person” to “and a card”;

(b) in paragraph (2), omit “, and a proxy’s to his address as shown in the list of proxies”.

(c) after paragraph (2), insert—

“(2A) A proxy’s official poll card must be sent or delivered to the address which—

(a) is shown as the proxy’s address in the list of proxies; or

(b) in the case of a proxy for an elector with an anonymous entry, would be so shown but for regulation 9(6A).”;

(d) after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) The official postal poll card issued to an elector who is on the absent voters list for the election must be in Form F1 in the Appendix of Forms.”;

(e) after paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) The official postal poll card issued to the proxy of an elector who is entitled to vote by post as proxy at the election must be in Form G1 in the Appendix of Forms.”; and

(f) after paragraph (6) insert—

“(7) In this rule, reference to an official poll card includes an official postal poll card.

(8) In the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, the official poll card must not include the elector’s name or qualifying address or the situation of the elector’s polling station.”.

20.  In rule 30 (equipment of polling stations), in paragraph (3)(b) for “names of” substitute “entries relating to”.

21.  In rule 33 (return of postal ballot papers), after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to a vote on a tendered postal ballot paper (but see rule 43A).”.

22.  In rule 42 (tendered ballot papers: circumstances where available), after paragraph (9) insert—

“(10) This rule and rule 43 do not apply in relation to an elector who has an anonymous entry in the register.”.

23.  After rule 43 (tendered ballot papers: general provisions), insert—

“Tendered postal ballot papers: issue to persons with an anonymous entry

43A.— (1) This rule applies to a person (“P”) who—

(a) is an elector with an anonymous entry in the register of electors, or

(b) is entitled to vote by post as proxy for such an elector,

and who claims to have lost, or not received, a postal ballot paper.

(2) P may apply to the returning officer for a replacement postal ballot paper (in these rules referred to as a “tendered postal ballot paper”).

(3) The application—

(a) may be made by post or in person,

(b) must be accompanied by a specified document within the meaning of rule 39, and

(c) must be delivered to the returning officer—

(i) where the application is made by post, before 4 p.m. on the fourth day before the day of the poll, and

(ii) where the application is made in person, before 4 p.m. on the day before the day of the poll.

(4) If the returning officer—

(a) is satisfied as to P’s identity, and

(b) has no reason to doubt that P has lost, or not received, a postal ballot paper,

the returning officer must issue a tendered postal ballot paper to P in the manner set out in paragraph 26A of Schedule 2(27).

(5) A tendered postal ballot paper must be of a different colour from the other ballot papers.

(6) P, if issued with a tendered postal ballot paper, may mark it, sign it, and send it to the returning officer in the same manner as a postal ballot paper.

(7) A tendered postal ballot paper which has not been signed, or which does not meet the conditions in rule 50(2) and (3), is void.

(8) On receipt of a tendered postal ballot paper, the returning officer must deal with it in the manner set out in paragraph 26A of Schedule 2.

(9) The returning officer must—

(a) endorse each tendered postal ballot paper with the entry in the register of electors of the elector in question, and

(b) set it aside in a separate packet of tendered postal ballot papers.

(10) The returning officer must add the entry in the register of electors of the elector in question to a list (in these rules referred to as the “tendered postal votes list”).

(11) The returning officer must seal the packet of tendered postal ballot papers.

(12) This rule applies in the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13BA(9) of the 1983 Act (alteration of registers in Northern Ireland: pending elections)(28) as if—

(a) in paragraph (1) for “in the register of electors” there were substituted “in respect of whom a notice under section 13BA(9) has been issued”; and

(b) in paragraphs (9)(a) and (10), for “entry in the register of electors of the elector in question” there were substituted “entry relating to the elector in question on a notice issued under section 13BA(9)”.”.

24.  In rule 50 (procedure at verification of ballot paper accounts)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (4) insert “or any tendered postal ballot paper”; and

(b) in paragraph (6), after “the tendered votes list” (in both places) insert “and the tendered postal votes list”.

25.  In rule 66 (sealing up of ballot papers), after paragraph (2)(a) insert—

“(aa) tendered postal ballot papers,”.

26.  In rule 67 (retention of documents by the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland), in paragraph (1)(c), after “the tendered votes lists,” insert “the tendered postal votes lists,”.

27.—(1) The Appendix of Forms is amended as follows.

(2) In the table of contents—

(a) after the entry for Form F (elector’s official poll card) insert—

“Form F1

Official Postal Poll Card issued to an elector voting by post”;

(b) after the entry for Form G (proxy’s official poll card) insert—

“Form G1

Official Postal Poll Card issued to a proxy voting by post”.

(3) After Form F (elector’s official poll card), insert Form F1 in the Schedule to these Regulations.

(4) After Form G (proxy’s official poll card), insert Form G1 in the Schedule to these Regulations.

Amendments of Schedule 2 to the 2004 Regulations

28.  Schedule 2 to the 2004 Regulations (absent voters)(29) is amended as follows.

29.  In paragraph 2 (general requirements for applications for an absent vote), in sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (c) omit “and”; and

(b) at the end of paragraph (d) insert—

“; and

(e) where the applicant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry, that fact.”.

30.  In paragraph 2A (additional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to a different address to that in the register)(30), after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

“(3) This paragraph does not apply where an applicant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry.”.

31.  In paragraph 2B (additional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to different address from that shown in the record kept under regulation 8(5) or regulation 9(5)), the existing text becomes sub-paragraph (1) of the paragraph and after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2) This paragraph does not apply where an applicant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry.”.

32.  In paragraph 3 (additional requirements for applications for the appointment of a proxy), the existing text becomes sub-paragraph (1) of the paragraph and after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2) Where the application mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) is made by an elector with an anonymous entry, the application must be accompanied by an application, by the person to be appointed proxy, under—

(a) regulation 11(4) (application to vote by post as proxy at European Parliamentary elections for an indefinite period); or

(b) regulation 11(6) (application to vote by post as proxy at a particular election) in relation to the election.”.

33.  In paragraph 7 (additional requirements for applications by proxies to vote by post at a particular election), for “regulation 11(6)” substitute “regulation 11(6)(a)”.

34.  In paragraph 13 (records and lists kept under regulations 8, 9 and 11), after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) The registration officer must not make available for inspection under sub-paragraph (2) a copy of any record relating to—

(a) a person who has an anonymous entry, or

(b) the proxy of a person who has an anonymous entry.”.

35.  In paragraph 14 (marked register for polling stations), for “name of” substitute “entry for”.

36.  In paragraph 15 (interpretation of part 2)(31), after the definition of “spoilt postal ballot paper”, insert—

““tendered postal ballot paper” has the meaning given in rule 43A of the European Parliamentary elections rules;”.

37.  In paragraph 17 (persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers), the existing text becomes sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph and after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2) Paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of sub-paragraph (1) do not apply to proceedings on issue or receipt of tendered postal ballot papers.”.

38.  In paragraph 18 (agents of candidates who may attend proceedings on issue or receipt of postal ballot papers), after sub-paragraph (7) insert—

“(8) Nothing in this paragraph applies to the issue or receipt of tendered postal ballot papers.”.

39.  In paragraph 20 (notice of issue of postal ballot papers), after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

“(3) Nothing in this paragraph applies to the issue of tendered postal ballot papers.”.

40.  In paragraph 21 (procedure on issue of postal ballot paper), in sub-paragraph (4)—

(a) in paragraph (a), after “absent voters list” insert “(or, where the elector has an anonymous entry, the address that would be so shown but for regulation 9(6A))”; and

(b) in paragraph (b), after “proxy postal voters list” insert “(or where the proxy has an anonymous entry or is the proxy for a person who has an anonymous entry, the address that would be so shown but for regulation 11(8A) or (8B))”.

41.  In paragraph 26 (spoilt postal ballot papers), in sub-paragraph (7)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (a), add “(or, in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, the elector’s electoral number alone)”; and

(b) at the end of paragraph (c), add “(or, in the case of a proxy who has an anonymous entry or is the proxy for a person who has an anonymous entry, the proxy’s electoral number alone or, as the case may be, a statement that the proxy is not registered as an elector)”.

42.  After paragraph 26, insert—

“Tendered postal ballot papers: issue and receipt

26A.— (1) A tendered postal ballot paper issued to P under rule 43A of the European Parliamentary elections rules must be accompanied by—

(a) an envelope for the return of the tendered postal ballot paper and the declaration of identity (referred to as a “covering envelope”) which must be marked with the letter “D”;

(b) a smaller envelope which must be marked with—

(i) the letter “C”;

(ii) the words “tendered postal ballot paper envelope”; and

(iii) the number of the tendered postal ballot paper, unless the envelope has a window through which the number on the ballot paper can be displayed; and

(c) a declaration of identity in the form set out in paragraph 16 (form of declaration of identity) which is marked with the number of the tendered postal ballot paper.

(2) Where the poll at a European Parliamentary election is combined with another poll under section 15 of the 1985 Act(32)—

(a) the envelope referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a) must also be marked “Covering envelope for the [insert the colour of the ballot paper] coloured ballot paper”; and

(b) on the envelope referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(b) after the words “tendered postal ballot paper envelope” there must be added “for the [insert colour of the ballot paper] coloured ballot paper”.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), paragraph 25 (delivery of postal ballot papers) applies to the issue of a tendered postal ballot paper.

(4) The tendered postal ballot paper, the declaration of identity and the envelopes must be sent to—

(a) where P is an elector, the address that would be shown in the absent voters list but for regulation 9(6A);

(b) where P is entitled to vote by post as proxy, the address that would be shown in the proxy postal voters list but for regulation 11(8A) and (8B).

(5) Where P applies in person, the returning officer may hand a tendered postal ballot paper to P instead of delivering it in accordance with paragraph 25.

(6) The returning officer must enter in a list kept for the purpose (“the list of tendered postal ballot papers”)—

(a) the entry in the register of electors of the elector in question;

(b) the number of the tendered postal ballot paper issued under this paragraph; and

(c) where P is entitled to vote by post as proxy, the proxy’s electoral number or, as the case may be, a statement that the proxy is not registered as an elector.

(7) On receipt of a covering envelope of a tendered postal ballot paper before the close of the poll, the returning officer must—

(a) separate it from the covering envelopes of the other postal ballot papers; and

(b) place it in a separate ballot box for the reception of tendered postal ballot papers.

(8) As soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the returning officer must count and record the number of covering envelopes of tendered postal ballot papers and open each covering envelope separately.

(9) Before proceeding under rule 43A of the European Parliamentary elections rules, the returning officer must satisfy himself that each tendered postal ballot paper—

(a) is not void under rule 43A(7); and

(b) is accompanied by a valid declaration of identity which is marked with the same number as the tendered postal ballot paper.

(10) Where the returning officer is not so satisfied, that officer must—

(a) mark the tendered postal ballot paper as “rejected”; and

(b) place the tendered postal ballot paper, attached to the declaration of identity (if any), in a receptacle for rejected tendered postal votes.

(11) The returning officer must seal the contents of the receptacle for rejected tendered postal votes in a separate packet.”.

43.  In paragraph 29 (receipt of covering envelope), the existing text becomes sub-paragraph (1) of that paragraph and after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2) This paragraph does not apply to the receipt of a covering envelope for a tendered postal ballot paper.”.

44.  In paragraph 36 (retention of documents), in sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) in paragraph (a)—

(i) after “26(5)” insert “, 26A(11),”; and

(ii) at the end of the paragraph omit “and”; and

(b) after paragraph (a), insert—

“(aa) the list of spoilt postal ballot papers and the list of tendered postal ballot papers, and”.

45.—(1) The Appendix of Forms is amended as follows.

(2) In Form K, (proxy paper), in the section headed “Your Right to Vote as Proxy”, after paragraph 4 insert—

“5.   If you have been appointed as a proxy on behalf of an elector who has an anonymous entry in the register, you can only vote by post. If you have not already been granted a postal vote, you should contact the electoral registration officer.”.

(3) In Form L (declaration of identity)—

(a) before “Name of witness” insert “*”;

(b) before “Address of witness” insert “*”;

(c) before the paragraph beginning “SEE INSTRUCTIONS” insert—

“*(Returning officer to omit where ballot papers sent to an anonymous elector.)”; and

(d) in the section entitled “Instructions to the voter”, at the end of paragraph 1 insert “If you are an elector with an anonymous entry in the register, or you are the proxy for such a person, the name and address of the witness should not be included. However, you do need to sign this declaration in the presence of a witness and the witness must sign the form.”.

(4) In Form M (statement as to postal ballot papers)—

(a) after paragraph 10 insert—

“10A.   Number of tendered postal ballot papers issued

10B.   Number of covering envelopes for tendered postal ballot papers received”;

(b) after paragraph 13 insert—

“14.   Number of tendered postal ballot papers marked rejected”.

Amendments of Schedule 4 to the 2004 Regulations

46.  Schedule 4 to the 2004 Regulations (control of donations to candidates) is amended as follows.

47.  The existing text of paragraph 10 (statement of relevant donations) becomes sub-paragraph (1) of the paragraph and after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(2) If the statement states that the candidate’s election agent has seen a certificate of anonymous registration issued pursuant to regulation 53D of the 2008 Regulations(33), regulation 45G of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001(34), regulation 45F of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001(35), or the equivalent provision forming part of the law of Gibraltar, which is evidence that an individual donor has an anonymous entry in an electoral register, the statement must be accompanied by a copy of that certificate of anonymous registration.”.

48.  In paragraph 11 (donations from permissible donor), in sub-paragraph (c), after “the 2000 Act” insert “(reading references in sub-paragraphs (3B) and (3C)(36) to the registered party as references to the candidate’s election agent)”.

Amendments of Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations

49.  Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations (combined polls)(37) is amended as follows.

50.  In paragraph 6—

(a) in new paragraph (5A) inserted by sub-paragraph (b), after “that of the ballot papers” insert “(other than tendered ballot papers or tendered postal ballot papers”); and

(b) in new paragraph (6A) inserted by sub-paragraph (d), after “tendered ballot papers” insert “or tendered postal ballot papers”.

51.  After paragraph 12, insert—

“12A.   Rule 43A applies as if after paragraph (10) there were inserted—

“(10A) The same list may be used under paragraph (10) for each relevant election and, where it is so used, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the tendered postal ballot papers were marked in respect of each election, unless the list identifies the election at which a tendered postal ballot paper was marked.”.”.

52.  In paragraph 22, in the form inserted by that paragraph (form N declaration of identity (combined polls))—

(a) before “Name of witness” insert “*”;

(b) before “Address of witness” insert “*”;

(c) before the paragraph beginning “SEE INSTRUCTIONS” insert—

“*(Returning officer to omit where ballot papers sent to an anonymous elector.)”; and

(d) in the section entitled “Instructions to the voter”, at the end of paragraph 1 insert “If you are an elector with an anonymous entry in the register, or you are the proxy for such a person, the name and address of the witness should not be included. However, you do need to sign this declaration in the presence of a witness and the witness must sign the form.”.

Amendment of the European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 2004

53.—(1) Schedule 6 to the European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 2004 (control of donations to individual candidates)(38) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 10 (statement of relevant donations)(39), after “the 2001 Scotland Regulations” insert “, regulation 53D of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008(40)”.

Andrew Robathan

Minister of State

Northern Ireland Office

9th July 2014