Section 56 – Enforcement by the Electoral Commission
177.Section 56 and 47 enable enforcement by the Electoral Commission using investigatory powers and civil sanctions. As noted above, certain types of material are investigated by the Electoral Commission, although this does not prevent appropriate cases being referred to or investigated by the police.
178.Section 56 applies Parts 1 to 4 and 6 of Schedule 19C of PPERA and the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums (Civil Sanctions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2860) in respect of offences described in subsection (2). The Commission’s enforcement powers are limited to material the purpose of which is procuring electoral success for registered parties and categories of registered parties, candidates or future candidates. The police and the courts are responsible for the enforcement of offences relating to electronic material promoting particular candidates or particular future candidates.
