Representation of the People Act 1983

115 Undue influence [F1: local government elections in Scotland F2...].U.K.

(1)A person shall be guilty of a corrupt practice if he is guilty of undue influence [F3in relation to an election in Scotland F4... under the local government Act].

(2)A person shall be guilty of undue influence [F5in relation to an election in Scotland F6... under the local government Act]—

(a)if he, directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person on his behalf, makes use of or threatens to make use of any force, violence or restraint, or inflicts or threatens to inflict, by himself or by any other person, any temporal or spiritual injury, damage, harm or loss upon or against any person in order to induce or compel that person to vote or refrain from voting, or on account of that person having voted or refrained from voting; or

(b)if, by abduction, duress or any fraudulent device or contrivance, he impedes or prevents [F7, or intends to impede or prevent,] the free exercise of the franchise of an elector or proxy for an elector, or so compels, induces or prevails upon [F8, or intends so to compel, induce or prevail upon,] an elector or proxy for an elector either to vote or to refrain from voting.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 115 heading inserted (1.11.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 8(2)(c), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(a)

F2Words in s. 115 heading omitted (W.) (18.7.2025) by virtue of Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 (asc 5), ss. 64(3)(c), 72(4); S.I. 2025/846, art. 2

F3Words in s. 115(1) inserted (1.11.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 8(2)(a), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(a)

F4Words in s. 115(1) omitted (W.) (18.7.2025) by virtue of Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 (asc 5), ss. 64(3)(a), 72(4); S.I. 2025/846, art. 2

F5Words in s. 115(2) inserted (1.11.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 8(2)(b), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(a)

F6Words in s. 115(2) omitted (W.) (18.7.2025) by virtue of Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 (asc 5), ss. 64(3)(b), 72(4); S.I. 2025/846, art. 2

F7Words in s. 115(2)(b) inserted (11.9.2006) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 39(1)(a)(2), 77 (with s. 39(2)); S.I. 2006/1972, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 6 (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4, Sch. 2)

F8Words in s. 115(2)(b) inserted (11.9.2006) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 39(1)(b)(2), 77 (with s. 39(2)); S.I. 2006/1972, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 6 (subject to transitional provisions in art. 4, Sch. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Ss. 111–117 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2Ss. 113-115 applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by 1997 c. 61, s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 13 Table 1

Ss. 113-115 applied (W.) (24.3.2004) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Wales) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/870), reg. 8, {Sch. 3 Table 2} (which S.I. was revoked (24.7.2008) by S.I. 2008/1848)

C3S. 115 applied (with modifications) (2.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1298, reg. 8, Sch. 3 Table 2

C4S. 115 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

C5S. 115 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(b)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

S. 115 applied (N.I.) (25.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/1126, art. 6, Sch. 2

C6S. 115 applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by 1997 c. 61, s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 13 Table 1

S. 115 applied (23.7.2004) by The Regional Assembly and Local Government Referendums Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1962), art. 6(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 2

C9S. 115 applied (with modifications) (W.) (24.7.2008) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Wales) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1848), reg. 8, {Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 1}

C11Ss. 111–117 applied (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I