Part I

The Electoral Commission

Commission’s general functions

Setting of performance standards
9A
1
The Commission may from time to time—
a
determine standards of performance for relevant officers
mentioned in subsection (2)
, and
b
publish, in such form and in such manner as they consider appropriate, the standards so determined.
2
The standards of performance are such standards as the Commission think ought to be achieved by—
a
electoral registration officers in the performance of their functions;
b
returning officers in the administration of the elections specified in subsection (6);
c
counting officers in the administration of the referendums specified in subsection (7).
3
Before determining standards under subsection (1), the Commission must consult—
a
the Secretary of State, and
b
any other person they think appropriate.
4
The Commission may determine different standards for different descriptions of relevant officers.
5
When the Commission publish standards under subsection (1) they must send a copy of the published standards to the Secretary of State who must lay a copy of the published standards before each House of Parliament.
5A
In relation to electoral registration officers for areas in Wales, the reference to their functions in subsection (2)(a) is a reference to their functions in relation to registers of parliamentary electors.
5A
But subsections (3) and (5) do not apply in relation to standards relating to—
a
Scottish Parliamentary general elections,
b
elections held under section 9 of the Scotland Act 1998 (constituency vacancies), or
c
local government elections in Scotland.
6
The elections specified in this subsection are—
a
an election mentioned in section 5(2)
other than one mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection
;
b
a parliamentary by-election;
c
an election under section 9 of the Scotland Act 1998 (constituency vacancies);
d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
da
an election under section 51 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (election to fill vacancy in office of police and crime commissioner);
e
a local government election in England ....
f
a local government election in Scotland.
7
The referendums specified in this subsection are—
a
a referendum to which Part 7 applies;
b
a referendum under Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000.
8
For the purposes of this section and sections
9AA,
9B and 9C, the relevant officers are—
a
electoral registration officers;
b
in relation to elections within subsection (6)
or section 9AA(6)
, returning officers;
c
in relation to referendums within subsection (7)
or section 9AA(7)
, counting officers.
Ss. 9A-9C inserted (11.9.2006) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 67, 77(2); S.I. 2006/1972, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 23 (subject to art. 4, Sch. 2)
Words in s. 9A(8)(c) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(6)(c); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
S. 9A(6)(d) omitted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by virtue of Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(4)(b); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
S. 9A(6)(da) inserted (25.4.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 10 para. 13; S.I. 2012/1129, art. 2(g)
S. 9A(6)(f) inserted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 10), ss. 13(1), 21(1); S.S.I. 2011/277, art. 2(b)
S. 9A(7)(b) omitted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by virtue of Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(5); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
Words in s. 9A(6)(a) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(4)(a); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
Word in s. 9A(8) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(6)(a); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
Words in s. 9A(1)(a) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(2); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
Words in s. 9A(8)(b) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(6)(b); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
S. 9A(5A) inserted (S.) (1.10.2020) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), ss. 14(2), 35; S.S.I. 2020/278, reg. 2, sch.
S. 9A(5A) inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(3); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)
Words in s. 9A(6)(e) omitted (E.W.) (1.10.2020) by virtue of Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(3)(b), Sch. 2 para. 9(4)(c); S.I. 2020/1052, art. 2(b)