3.—(1) The provisions which come into force in accordance with regulation 2(d)(iii), (iv), (vi) to (x) and (xii) to (xv), 2(e) and 2(f)(xi) and (xii) do not apply in relation to—
(a)any parliamentary by-election, or any election to the Northern Ireland Assembly, in respect of which the qualifying date is on or before 3rd May 2023;
(b)any parliamentary general election in respect of which the qualifying date is on or before 4th October 2023.
(2) For the purposes of section 59A(2) of RPA 1983(1), any parliamentary general election for which the qualifying date is on or before the date stated in paragraph (1)(b) is disregarded.
(3) The provisions which come into force in accordance with regulation 2(f)(i) to (x) do not apply in relation to any local election for which the qualifying date is on or before 3rd May 2023.
(4) In this regulation, “qualifying date” means the date of the poll as specified in the notice of election published—
(a)in respect of a local election, in accordance with rule 4 of Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962(2);
(b)otherwise, in accordance with rule 5 of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983(3).
1983 c. 2. Section 59A is inserted by paragraph 7 of Schedule 1 to the Elections Act 2022. See section 65 of the Elections Act 2022 for the meaning of “RPA 1983”.
1962 c. 14 (N.I.). Rule 4 was amended by S.I. 2010/2977.
Rule 5 was amended by Part 1 of Schedule 2, and paragraph 74 of Schedule 4, to the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50); by paragraphs 3 and 10 of Schedule 6 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2); and by section 19(1) and (3) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22). Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 applies to Northern Ireland Assembly elections by virtue of article 3 of, and Schedule 1 to, S.I. 2001/2599.