Northern Ireland

3 Combination of polls

(1)

Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50) (which requires polls for different elections to be taken together if they are to be taken on the same day) shall extend to Northern Ireland.

(2)

In section 15 of the 1985 Act insert the following subsection after subsection (5)—

“(6)

In its application to Northern Ireland, subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the references to an ordinary local government election were to a local election.”

(3)

In consequence of subsection (1) above, in section 29(5) of the 1985 Act (which excepts certain sections from the extension to Northern Ireland, including sections 15 to 18) for “15 to 18” substitute “ 16 to 18 ”.

(4)

In section 84 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47) (power to make provision by Order in Council in relation to certain matters relating to Northern Ireland) after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A)

The power in subsection (1) includes power to make provision with respect to polls at elections for district councillors when they are combined with polls at other elections.”