| Campaign actions | Poll actions | Reference | Timescale |
|---|
| The application period (for applications to be a designated organisation) | | Schedule 3 paragraph 8(6) | 28 days ending at noon on the day before the first day of the decision period |
| The decision period (for determination of applications to be a designated organisation | | Schedule 3 paragraph 8(6) | 16 days ending with the 2nd day before the first day of the referendum period |
| Referendum period | | Schedule 7 | 10 weeks ending with the day of the referendum |
| Publication of Notice of Referendum | Schedule 2 rule 1 | Not later than the 25th working day before the date of the referendum |
| Deadline for receipt by the Counting Officer (“CO”) of appointment of local referendum agent by permitted participant | Section 19(3) | Before noon on the 25th working day before the date of the referendum |
| Publication by CO of Notice of appointment of referendum agents | Section 19(6) | As soon as practicable after notification of the appointments |
| Dispatch of poll cards | Schedule 2 rule 11 | As soon as practicable after the publication of the Notice of Referendum |
| Relevant period (also known as “purdah”) | | Schedule 3 paragraph 27(4) | The period of 28 days ending with the date of the referendum |
| First issue of postal ballot packs | Schedule 1 paragraph 21 | As soon as it is practicable to do so |
| Deadline for registration applications | Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001, regulation 29(4) | Midnight on the 12th working day before the date of the referendum |
| Deadline for receipt of postal and postal proxy vote applications | Schedule 1 paragraphs 7(2) and 18(1)(b) | 5pm on the 11th working day before the date of the referendum |
| Deadline for CO to give notice to referendum agents of each opening of postal voters’ boxes | Schedule 1 paragraph 30 | Not less than 48 hours’ notice in writing specifying the time and place and the number of agents that may attend. |
| Deadline for receipt by CO of appointment of postal ballot agents | Schedule 1 paragraph 19(5) | No later than the time fixed for the opening of the postal voters’ box. |
| Deadline for receipt of ordinary proxy vote applications by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) | Schedule 1 paragraph 7(2)(c) together with paragraph 18(1)(a) | Before 5pm on the 6th working day before the date of the referendum |
| Deadline for receipt by the CO of notices of appointment of polling and counting agents | Schedule 2 rule 14(4) | No later than the 5th working day before the date of the referendum |
| Day of Poll |
|---|
| Deadline for replacement of spoilt postal ballot packs | Schedule 1 paragraph 27(3) and (8) | 5pm on the date of the referendum. Note that after 5pm on the day before the referendum the replacement can only be made by hand. |
| Deadline for receipt of emergency proxy applications by the ERO (attestation required) | Schedule 1 paragraphs 7(9) & (10) | 5pm on the date of the referendum |
| Deadline for correction by the ERO of clerical errors on the Polling List | Schedule 2 rule 26 and schedule 1 paragraph 17(3)(d) | 9pm on the date of the referendum |
| Start of verification and count | Schedule 2 rule 29(1) and (4) | As soon as reasonably practicable after the close of the poll. |
| Declaration of local totals by CO | Schedule 2 rule 35(2)(a) | When authorised by CCO. |
| Sealing up of ballot papers and related materials | Schedule 2 rule 36 | On the completion of counting |
| Delivery of referendum materials to proper officer of the council | Schedule 2 rule 37 | After sealing the materials |
| Publication of national result by CCO | Schedule 2 rule 35(3)(b) and section 9(4) | As soon as practicable after making the national certification |
| Permitted period for lodging of any petition for judicial review of the number of ballot papers counted or votes cast as certified by a CO or by the CCO | Section 39 | The permitted period is the period of 8 weeks beginning with the day on which the CO or CCO makes the certification (or the last certification if more than one is made) |
| Last date for the delivery of returns of referendum expenses (less than £250,000) to the Electoral Commission | | Schedule 3 paragraph 24 (3) | Within the period of 3 months beginning with the end of the referendum period |
| Last date for the delivery of returns of referendum expenses (more than £250,000) to the Electoral Commission | | Schedule 3 paragraph 24 (1)&(2) | Within the period of 6 months beginning with the end of the referendum period |
| Period for retention and public inspection of papers held by the proper officer of the Council | Schedule 2 Rule 38(1) | The proper officer must retain for one year all papers received |
| Expiry of retention period when papers must be securely destroyed | Schedule 2 rule 38(5) | After the period of one year (unless a court order directs retention for longer) |
| Period for retention and public inspection of certifications (by COs and by the CCO) held by the CCO | Schedule 2 rule 39(1) | One year |
| Period for public inspection of expenses returns held by Electoral Commission | | Schedule 3 paragraph 26(3) | Two years from when each return is received by the Electoral Commission |
