The Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2022

Amendment of Schedule 1

3.—(1) Schedule 1 (the combined authority mayoral elections rules) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 16 (method of election)—

(a) in paragraph (a)—

(i) for “three” substitute “two”;

(ii) for “Parts 4 and 5” substitute “Part 4”;

(b) omit paragraph (b).

(3) In rule 28 (equipment of polling stations)—

(a) in paragraph (6) for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) the following notice which must be exhibited in every compartment of every polling station—

*[Specify name of combined authority] COMBINED AUTHORITY MAYORAL ELECTION

Vote for ONLY ONE CANDIDATE by putting a cross [X] in the box next to your choice.

PUT NO OTHER MARK ON THE BALLOT PAPER OR YOUR VOTE MAY NOT COUNT.

*Complete as necessary.”;

(b) omit paragraph (8).

(4) In rule 48(5) (additional steps: verification and count carried out at different places) omit “area”.

(5) In rule 49(1) (attendance at the count) omit sub-paragraph (b) and the word “and” immediately preceding it.

(6) In rule 50 (the first count)—

(a) in the heading omit “first”;

(b) for paragraph (3) substitute—

“(3) The returning officer shall then count the votes given on them.”.

(7) In rule 51 (rejected ballot papers)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(b) omit “first preference”;

(b) in paragraph (1)(d) omit “as to the first preference vote”;

(c) in paragraph (2) omit sub-paragraph (i);

(d) in paragraph (2)(ii) omit “at any other election,”;

(e) in paragraph (2) in the words after sub-paragraph (ii) omit “(in either case)”;

(f) omit paragraph (3);

(g) in paragraph (5)(b) and (d) omit “as to the first preference vote”;

(h) omit paragraph (7).

(8) In rule 53(1) and (2) (re-count) omit “or, as the case may be, the first preference votes,”.

(9) In rule 54 (procedure at conclusion of first count)—

(a) in the heading omit “first”;

(b) for paragraph (1) substitute—

“(1) As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the count (including any re-count), the returning officer must draw up a provisional statement showing—

(a) the total number of ballot papers used,

(b) the total number of rejected ballot papers, and

(c) the number of votes given for each candidate.”.

(10) Omit Part 5 (further provision: three or more candidates).

(11) In rule 57(1) (combined authority returning officer’s re-count) for “, 54(1) or 56(2),” substitute “or 54(1)”.

(12) Omit rule 58 (combined authority returning officer’s direction to count second preference votes).

(13) In rule 59 (returning officer’s final statement, central calculation and declaration of result)—

(a) in paragraph (1) for “, 54(1) and, where applicable, 56(2)” substitute “and 54(1)”;

(b) in paragraphs (4), (5)(a), (6) and (8) omit “area”.

(c) for paragraph (7) substitute—

“(7) As soon as the combined authority returning officer has received the information required by paragraph (3) from every returning officer, the combined authority returning officer must ascertain the total number of votes given to each candidate.”;

(d) for paragraph (10) substitute—

“(10) In paragraphs (8) and (9), “the relevant figures” means the total number of votes given for each candidate.”;

(e) in paragraph (11)(a) omit “by only two candidates”;

(f) in paragraph (11)(b) for “each of them” substitute “each candidate”;

(g) for paragraph (12) substitute—

“(12) Where, after the counting of the votes (including any re-count) is completed, an equality of votes is found to exist between any candidates and the addition of a vote would entitle any of those candidates to be returned as mayor, the combined authority returning officer must forthwith decide between those candidates by lot, and proceed as if the candidate on whom the lot falls had received an additional vote.”;

(h) omit paragraphs (13) and (14);

(i) in paragraph (15)(b) omit “first preference” and insert “and” at the end;

(j) in paragraph (15) omit paragraph (d) and the “and” immediately preceding it.

(14) In rule 60 (return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit)—

(a) in paragraph (4) omit “first”;

(b) in paragraph (5) omit “first” and “first preference”.

(15) In Part 9 (appendix of forms)—

(a) in the list of forms—

(i) in Form 3 omit “(two candidates)”;

(ii) omit Form 4;

(b) for Form 3 substitute Form 3 set out in Schedule 1 to this Order;

(c) omit Form 4;

(d) for Form 7 substitute Form 7 set out in Schedule 1 to this Order.