Part I

The Electoral Commission

Commission’s general functions

Education about electoral and democratic systems.
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1
The Commission shall promote public awareness of—
a
current electoral systems in the United Kingdom and any pending such systems, together with such matters connected with any such existing or pending systems as the Commission may determine;
aa
marking of ballot papers in any election mentioned in section 9A(5A)(a) to (c).
b. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
For the purposes of subsection (1) any system such as is mentioned in paragraph (a) ... of that subsection is pending at a time when arrangements for giving effect to it have been made by any enactment but the arrangements are not yet in force.
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
The Commission shall perform their functions under subsection (1) in such manner as they think fit but may, in particular, do so by—
a
carrying out programmes of education or information to promote public awareness of any of the matters mentioned in subsection (1); or
b
making grants to other persons or bodies for the purpose of enabling them to carry out such programmes.
5
Any grant under subsection (4)(b) may be made subject to such conditions as the Commission consider appropriate.
6
The total expenditure incurred in any financial year by the Commission in performing their functions under subsection (1) (whether by making grants or otherwise) shall not exceed such sum as is for the time being specified for the purposes of this subsection by an order made by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury.
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Subsection (6) shall not apply to the expenditure incurred by the Commission in performing their functions exercisable in relation to local government elections in Scotland; ...
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Subsection (6) shall not apply to the expenditure incurred by the Commission to the extent that it is, or is to be, met under
paragraph 16A of Schedule 1 to this Act or
paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 to the Government of Wales Act 2006.
S. 13 wholly in force at 1.7.2001; s. 13 partly in force at Royal Assent, see s. 163(3); s. 13 in force at 1.7.2001 by S.I. 2001/222, art. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I (with Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 1)
S. 13(12) inserted by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 160, Sch. 10 para. 61 (with Sch. 11 para. 22), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) -- see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act.
S. 13(3) repealed (S.) (29.6.2011) by Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 10), ss. 15(2), 21(1); S.S.I. 2011/277, art. 2(b)
S. 13(7) repealed (S.) (29.6.2011) by Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 10), ss. 15(2), 21(1); S.S.I. 2011/277, art. 2(b)
Words in s. 13(8) substituted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 10), ss. 15(3), 21(1); S.S.I. 2011/277, art. 2(b)
Words in s. 13(8) repealed (S.) (29.6.2011) by Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 10), ss. 16(2)(a), 21(1); S.S.I. 2011/277, art. 2(b)
S. 13(1A) repealed (31.12.2020) by The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))
Words in s. 13(12) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 13; S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
S. 13(9)-(11) repealed (S.) (29.6.2011) by Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 10), ss. 16(2)(b), 21(1); S.S.I. 2011/277, art. 2(b)
Words in s. 13(2) repealed (1.1.2011) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), s. 43(1), Sch. 7; S.I. 2010/2866, art. 4(f)(g)
S. 13(1)(b)(c) repealed (1.1.2011) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), ss. 8, 43(1), Sch. 7; S.I. 2010/2866, art. 4(a)
S. 13(1)(aa) inserted (S.) (14.4.2025) by Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (asp 4), ss. 64(2), 73(2); S.S.I. 2025/106, reg. 2(1)(a), sch. Pt. 1