SCHEDULE 4Campaign rules: investigatory powers of the Electoral Commission
Powers in relation to suspected offences or contraventions
3
1
This paragraph applies where the Electoral Commission have reasonable grounds to suspect that—
a
a person has committed a campaign offence, or
b
a person has contravened (otherwise than by committing an offence) any restriction or other requirement imposed by schedule 3.
2
In this paragraph, “the suspected offence or contravention” means the offence or contravention referred to in sub-paragraph (1).
3
The Commission may by notice require any person (including an organisation or individual to whom paragraph 1 applies)—
a
to produce for inspection by the Commission, or a person authorised by the Commission, any documents that they reasonably require for the purposes of investigating the suspected offence or contravention,
b
to provide the Commission, or a person authorised by the Commission, with any information or explanation that they reasonably require for those purposes.
4
A person to whom a notice is given under sub-paragraph (3) must comply with the notice within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice.
5
A person authorised by the Commission (“the investigator”) may require—
a
the person mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) (if that person is an individual), or
b
an individual who the investigator reasonably believes has relevant information,
to attend before the investigator at a specified time and place and answer any questions that the investigator reasonably considers to be relevant.
6
The time specified must be a reasonable time.
7
In sub-paragraph (5), “relevant” means relevant to an investigation by the Commission of the suspected offence or contravention.