75.—(1) If at a contested election for the return of regional members proof is given to the RRO’s satisfaction before the results of the election are declared that one of the persons named or to be named as a candidate on the ballot paper (whether on a registered party’s regional list or as an individual candidate) has died and as a result of that death the election becomes uncontested, then the RRO must—
(a)countermand the notice of poll; or
(b)if the polling has begun, direct that the poll be abandoned; and
(c)in either case, forthwith notify each CRO in the region of the action that has been taken.
(2) Where paragraph (1) applies, the RRO shall, following receipt of the notification under rule 62(3), allocate the seats in accordance with sections 7 and 8 of the 1998 Act(1).
(3) If at a contested election for the return of regional members proof is given to the RRO’s satisfaction before the results of the election are declared that one of the persons named or to be named as a candidate on the ballot paper (whether on a registered party’s regional list or as an individual candidate) has died, but notwithstanding that death the election continues to be contested, the notice of poll shall not be countermanded nor shall the poll be abandoned and the death shall have no effect upon the validity of the election and return of any regional member.
(4) But where paragraph (3) applies, the RRO shall take such steps as the RRO considers reasonable to publicise in the region for which the election is held—
(a)the name of that candidate and the fact of the candidate’s death;
(b)whether that candidate was an individual or party list candidate; and
(c)if the candidate was a party list candidate, the name of the registered party for which the candidate was such a candidate,
and the RRO shall, in particular, consider whether the RRO should publicise as required by this rule by causing notices to be placed outside the polling stations.
(5) In respect of an election to which paragraph (1) or (3) applies, rules 41(1)(a) to (c) (admission to polling station: candidates, election agents and polling agents) and 54(3)(b) to (d) (attendance at counting of votes) do not apply in relation to the deceased candidate, and where the deceased candidate is an individual candidate rule 66(7) (forfeiture of deposit) also does not apply in relation to that deceased candidate.
Section 8 is modified by rule 65 of S.I. 2010/2999.