Part II

Registration of political parties

Registration

Descriptions
28A
1
A party's application under section 28 may include a request for the registration of up to 12 descriptions to be used on nomination papers or ballot papers.
2
Where a request is made by a party under this section in relation to a description, the Commission shall register the description as a description of the party unless it is of more than six words in length or in their opinion it—
a
would be the same as the name of a party or the registered description of a party which (in either case) is already registered in the register in which that party is applying to be registered,
b
would be likely to result in electors confusing that party with another party which is already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom,
c
is obscene or offensive,
d
is of such a character that its publication would be likely to amount to the commission of an offence,
e
would be likely, were it to appear on a ballot paper issued at an election—
i
to result in an elector being misled as to the effect of his vote, or
ii
to contradict, or hinder an elector's understanding of, any directions for his guidance in voting given on the ballot paper or elsewhere,
f
includes any script other than Roman script, or
g
includes a word or expression prohibited by order made by the Secretary of State.
3
In subsection (2)(b) “
already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom
” has the meaning given by section 28(5).
4
An order under subsection (2)(g) may except the use of a word or expression from the prohibition in specified circumstances.
5
In the application of subsection (2) above to a party which has made a declaration falling within section 28(2) which specifies Wales as a part of Great Britain in respect of which it is applying to be registered, for “it is of more than six words in length” substitute its length exceeds six words in either English or Welsh or, if the description is also expressed in the other of those languages, six words in that other language.
6
The Secretary of State may, by order, substitute for the number “12” in subsection (1) such other number as he thinks appropriate.
7
An order under subsection (2)(g) or (6) must not be made unless the Secretary of State first consults the Commission.
Ss. 28A, 28B inserted (1.1.2007) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 49(1), 77(2); S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 6 (subject to art. 6, Sch. 2)
Pt. 2 referred to (N.I.) (12.12.2014) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), s. 7, Sch. 1 para. 3(13) (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3))