The Elections Act 2022 (Commencement No. 9, Transitional and Savings Provisions and Appointed and Specified Days) and Ballot Secrecy Act 2023 (Commencement) Regulations 2023

Questions for proxies at certain parliamentary elections and certain elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly

5.—(1) The amendments made to rule 35 of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 by paragraph 4 of Schedule 4 to EA 2022 do not apply to a parliamentary election or an election to the Northern Ireland Assembly which is an ongoing relevant election.

(2) In respect of a parliamentary election in England, Wales or Scotland for which the date of poll as specified in the notice of election published in accordance with the relevant rule is on or before 30th January 2024, rule 35 of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 applies with the modifications set out in sub-paragraphs (4) and (5).

(3) In respect of a parliamentary election in Northern Ireland or an election to the Northern Ireland Assembly for which the date of poll as specified in the notice of election published in accordance with the relevant rule is on or before 30th January 2024, rule 35 of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 applies with the modifications set out in sub-paragraph (4)(a).

(4) The table after paragraph (1) is to be read as if—

(a) in entry 2, in the column headed “Questions”—

(i) after question (b), there were inserted—

“(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of CD before 31st October 2023” [R]”;

(ii) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

(b) in entry 3, in the column headed “Questions”—

(i) after question (b), there were inserted—

“(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of the person whose number on the register of electors is (read out the number from the register) before 31st October 2023?” [R]”;

(ii) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”.

(5) Paragraph (2) is to be read as if after “3(a), (b)” there were inserted “, (ba)”.