The Representation of the People (Electronic Communications and Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2018

Applications for registration

15.—(1) In regulation 6 (electronic signatures and related certificates), in paragraph (1), omit “, 27”.

(2) Regulation 27 (applications for registration) is amended as follows.

(3) In paragraph (1)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (b), at the beginning, insert “except in the case of a person applying to be registered in pursuance of a service declaration, a declaration of local connection or an overseas electors’ declaration,”,

(b) for sub-paragraph (c) substitute—

“(c) in the case of an applicant who no longer claims to be entitled to be registered at an address in respect of which the applicant is currently registered as an elector, either—

(i) the fact that the applicant has ceased to reside at that address; or

(ii) the fact that the registration was in pursuance of a service declaration, a declaration of local connection or an overseas electors’ declaration, and the fact that the applicant is no longer entitled to make that declaration;

(ca) in the case of an applicant who has confirmed pursuant to section 10A(1A)(c)(i) or 13A(2A)(c)(i) of the 1983 Act that the applicant does not have a national insurance number, the reason why the applicant does not have it;

(cb) except in the case of a person applying to be registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration or a service declaration, the applicant’s nationality or nationalities or, if the applicant is not able to provide that information, the reason why the applicant is not able to do so;”,

(c) omit sub-paragraph (d).

(4) After paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Where an applicant has previously been known by a name other than that stated in accordance with paragraph (1)(a), the application may also state the applicant’s previous name.”

(5) For paragraph (3) substitute—

“(3) An application for registration shall include a declaration by the applicant that, by submitting the application or instructing another person to submit it on the applicant’s behalf, the applicant confirms that—

(a) the applicant is the person named in the application; and

(b) the information provided in the application and any declaration accompanying it is true.

(3A) Where the applicant is unable to read, the applicant shall arrange for the declaration mentioned in paragraph (3) to be read out to the applicant before the application is submitted.

(3B) Where the application is to be submitted through the UK digital service and the applicant is unable to submit it owing to a disability, the applicant may instruct a person of 18 years or over to submit it on behalf of the applicant in the applicant’s presence.”

(6) In paragraph (4)—

(a) omit “to the registration officer and be signed”,

(b) omit “by the applicant”.

(7) After paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A) An application for registration may include the applicant’s email address and telephone number if the applicant is willing for the registration officer to contact the applicant by such means.”

(8) Omit paragraph (5).

(9) After paragraph (6) insert—

“(6A) Where the registration officer provides the form on which an application for registration is made, the form shall include—

(a) the words “It is an offence to provide false information in this form”, and

(b) a statement of the maximum penalty for the offence.”

(10) In paragraph (10), for “(6) to (9)” substitute “(6) and (7) to (9)”.