The European Parliamentary Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2015 No. 220

Statutory Instruments

2015 No. 220

Representation Of The People, Northern Ireland

The European Parliamentary Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2015

Made

11th February 2015

Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1(2)

In accordance with section 13(2) of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002(1), a draft of these Regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

In accordance with section 7(1) and (2)(a) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000(2), the Secretary of State has consulted with the Electoral Commission prior to these Regulations being made.

Accordingly, the Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 7(1), (4) and (4A)(3) of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002.

Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the European Parliamentary Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2015.

(2) These Regulations come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.

(3) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland only.

(4) In these Regulations, “the 2004 Regulations” means the European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004(4).

Amendment of forms in the European Parliamentary elections rules

2.—(1) Part 8 of Schedule 1 to the 2004 Regulations (European Parliamentary elections rules: appendix of forms)(5) is amended as follows.

(2) Replace Form A (form of front of ballot paper and form of back of ballot paper together with the directions for printing the ballot paper) with the form in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(3) Replace Form F (official poll card issued to an elector voting at a polling station) with the form in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

(4) Replace Form F1 (official postal poll card issued to an elector voting by post)(6) with the form in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

(5) Replace Form G (official poll card issued to a proxy voting at a polling station) with the form in Schedule 4 to these Regulations.

(6) Replace Form G1 (official postal poll card issued to a proxy voting by post)(7) with the form in Schedule 5 to these Regulations.

(7) Replace Form H (directions for guidance for voters at a polling station) with the form in Schedule 6 to these Regulations.

(8) Replace Form I (certificate of employment) with the form in Schedule 7 to these Regulations.

(9) Replace Form J (form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities) with the form in Schedule 8 to these Regulations.

Amendment of Schedule 2 (Absent Voters)

3.—(1) Schedule 2 to the 2004 Regulations(8) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 32 (procedure in relation to declarations of identity on receipt of covering envelope)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1)(a), omit the words “and given his name and address”; and

(b) after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) A person must not sign the declaration as a witness under sub-paragraph (1)(a) unless he is—

(a) aged 18 years or over; and

(b) satisfied to the best of his knowledge and belief as to the identity of the voter.”.

(3) Part 3 (appendix of forms) is amended as follows.

(4) Replace Form K (proxy paper)(9) with the form in Schedule 9 to these Regulations.

(5) Replace Form L (declaration of identity)(10) with the form in Schedule 10 to these Regulations.

Amendment of Schedule 6 (Combined Polls)

4.—(1) Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations (combined polls) is amended as follows.

(2) Omit paragraph 17A(11).

(3) Replace the form inserted by paragraph 22 (form N: declaration of identity (combined polls))(12) with the form in Schedule 11 to these Regulations.

Andrew Murrison

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Northern Ireland Office

11th February 2015

Regulation 2(2)

SCHEDULE 1 Form A

Form of front of ballot paper

Form of back of ballot paper

Directions for printing the ballot paper

Regulation 2(3)

SCHEDULE 2 Form F

Regulation 2(4)

SCHEDULE 3 Form F1

Regulation 2(5)

SCHEDULE 4 Form G

Regulation 2(6)

SCHEDULE 5 Form G1

Regulation 2(7)

SCHEDULE 6 Form H

Regulation 2(8)

SCHEDULE 7 Form I

Regulation 2(9)

SCHEDULE 8 Form J

Regulation 3(4)

SCHEDULE 9 Form K

Regulation 3(5)

SCHEDULE 10 Form L

Regulation 4(3)

SCHEDULE 11 Form N

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the forms used at European Parliamentary elections held in Northern Ireland for ballot papers, poll cards, postal poll cards, proxy poll cards, proxy postal poll cards, guidance for voters, certificates of employment, declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities, proxy papers, declarations of identity, and declarations of identity at combined polls. These Regulations also remove the requirement for a witness to a declaration of identity to provide a name and address and define who may act as a witness.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.

(1)

2002 c. 24.

(2)

2000 c. 41; amendments have been made to section 7 but they are not relevant to these Regulations.

(3)

Subsection (4A) was inserted by section 22 of the European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 (c. 7).

(4)

S.I. 2004/1267.

(5)

Schedule 1 was substituted by S.I. 2009/813 and relevant amendments are referenced in these Regulations.

(6)

Form F1 was inserted by S.I. 2014/1803.

(7)

Form G1 was inserted by S.I. 2014/1803.

(8)

Schedule 2 was substituted by S.I. 2009/813 and subsequent amendments are referenced in these Regulations.

(9)

Form K was amended by S.I. 2014/1803.

(10)

Form L was amended by S.I. 2014/1803.

(11)

Paragraph 17A was inserted by S.I. 2013/3114.

(12)

Paragraph 22 was amended by S.I. 2014/1803.