Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011

Functions of Commission

10 Reports on elections

In section 5 of the 2000 Act (reports on elections and referendums), after subsection (2A) insert—

“(2B) After an ordinary election of councillors for local government areas in Scotland, the Commission must prepare and publish (in such manner as the Commission may determine) a report on the administration of the election.”.

11 Electoral Commission representatives and observers

(1) In section 6A(5) of the 2000 Act (elections which may be attended by Commission representative), after paragraph (e) insert—

“(ea) a local government election in Scotland;”.

(2) Section 6B(3) of that Act (observation of local government elections in Scotland not permitted) is repealed.

(3) In section 6C(3) of that Act (accredited observers: individuals), after “6F” insert “or, in relation to a local government election in Scotland, section 6G”.

(4) In section 6D(4) of that Act (accredited observers: organisations), after “6F” insert “or, in relation to a local government election in Scotland, section 6G”.

(5) In section 6F of that Act (code of practice)—

(a) in subsection (1), after “6A” insert “(other than a local government election in Scotland)”,

(b) in subsection (10), after “section” insert “and section 6G”.

(6) After section 6F of that Act insert—

“6G Code of practice on attendance of observers at local government elections in Scotland

(1) The Commission must prepare a code of practice on the attendance of—

(a) representatives of the Commission;

(b) accredited observers; and

(c) nominated members of accredited organisations,

at local government elections in Scotland.

(2) The code must in particular—

(a) specify the manner in which applications under section 6C(1) and 6D(1) are to be made to the Commission;

(b) specify the criteria to be taken into account by the Commission in determining such applications;

(c) give guidance to relevant officers (within the meaning of section 6E) as to the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (1) of that section;

(d) give guidance to such officers as to the exercise of the power mentioned in subsection (2) of that section as it relates to a person having the permission mentioned in subsection (1) of that section;

(e) give guidance to such officers as to the exercise of any power under any enactment to control the number of persons present at any proceedings relating to an election as it relates to a person having such permission;

(f) give guidance to representatives of the Commission, accredited observers and nominated members of accredited organisations on the exercise of the rights conferred by sections 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D.

(3) The code may make different provision for different purposes.

(4) Before preparing the code, the Commission must consult the Scottish Ministers.

(5) The Commission must lay the code before the Scottish Parliament.

(6) The Commission must publish the code (in such matter as they may determine).

(7) The following persons must have regard to the code in exercising any function conferred by section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D or 6E—

(a) the Commission;

(b) representatives of the Commission;

(c) relevant officers (within the meaning of section 6E).

(8) The Commission may at any time revise the code.

(9) Subsections (4) to (7) apply in relation to a revision of the code as they apply in relation to the code.”.

(7) Sections 8 to 11 of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 are repealed.

12 Consultation on changes to electoral law

In section 7(2) of the 2000 Act (instruments to be consulted upon), after paragraph (i) insert—

“(j) an order under section 3(1) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004.”.

13 Performance standards

(1) In section 9A(6) of the 2000 Act (setting of performance standards), after paragraph (e) insert—

“(f) a local government election in Scotland.”.

(2) Sections 1 to 3 of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 are repealed.

14 Advice and guidance

(1) Section 10 of the 2000 Act (giving of advice and assistance) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (7), the words “other than a local government election in Scotland” are repealed.

(3) Subsections (8) to (10) are repealed.

15 Education about electoral systems

(1) Section 13 of the 2000 Act (promotion of public awareness of electoral and government systems) is amended as follows.

(2) Subsections (3) and (7) are repealed.

(3) In subsection (8), for “by virtue of an order made by the Scottish Ministers under subsection (7)” substitute “in relation to local government elections in Scotland”.