SCHEDULE 5Campaign rules: investigatory powers of the Electoral Commission

Power to require disclosure

1

1

This paragraph applies in relation to an organisation or individual that is a permitted participant.

2

The Electoral Commission may give a disclosure notice to a person who—

a

is, or has been at any time in the period of 5 years ending with the day on which the notice is given, the treasurer or another officer of an organisation to which this paragraph applies, or

b

is an individual to whom this paragraph applies.

3

A disclosure notice is a notice requiring the person to whom it is given—

a

to produce for inspection by the Commission, or a person authorised by the Commission, any documents which—

i

relate to income and expenditure of the organisation or individual in question, and

ii

are reasonably required by the Commission for the purposes of carrying out their functions under section 12 and schedule 4, or

b

to provide the Commission, or a person authorised by the Commission, with any information or explanation which relates to that income and expenditure and is reasonably required by the Commission for those purposes.

4

A person to whom a disclosure notice is given must comply with the notice within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice.