The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2010

Interpretation of Part 3

82.  In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—

a person becomes a “candidate” in relation to a Scottish parliamentary election—

(a)

on the date of—

(i)

the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament; or

(ii)

in the case of an election under section 9 of the 1998 Act (constituency vacancies), the occurrence of the vacancy,

in consequence of which the notice of election is issued if on or before that date the person has been declared to be a candidate at the election; and

(b)

otherwise, on the day on which the person is so declared or on which the person is nominated as a candidate at the election (whichever is the earlier);

“date of allowance of an authorised excuse” has the meaning given by article 53(9);

“declaration as to election expenses” means a declaration made under article 48 or 49;

“disputed claim” has the meaning given by article 45(1) as extended by article 46;

“money” and “pecuniary reward” shall (except in article 77) be deemed to include—

(a)

any office, place or employment;

(b)

any valuable security or other equivalent of money; and

(c)

any valuable consideration,

and expressions referring to money shall be construed accordingly;

“payment” includes any pecuniary or other reward;

“personal expenses” as used with respect to the expenditure of any candidate in relation to any Scottish parliamentary election includes the reasonable travelling expenses of the candidate, and the reasonable expenses of the candidate’s living at hotels or elsewhere for the purposes of and in relation to the election; and

“return as to election expenses” means a return (including the bills and receipts to be delivered with it) to be made under article 47.