Conduct of electionsU.K.

6 Returning officersU.K.

(1)There is to be a returning officer for each electoral region.

(2)For a region in England [F1and Wales (including the combined region)] , the returning officer is to be a person who—

(a)is an acting returning officer by virtue of section 28(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2), and

(b)is designated for the purposes of this subsection by order of the Secretary of State.

(3)For Scotland the returning officer is to be a person who—

(a)is a returning officer by virtue of section 25 of that Act, and

(b)is designated for the purposes of this subsection by order of the Secretary of State.

(4)For Northern Ireland the returning officer is to be the Chief Electoral Officer.

[F2(5)The Secretary of State may by regulations confer functions on the returning officers for the electoral regions and on local returning officers.

(5A)For the purposes of subsection (5) “local returning officer” means—

(a)a person who is, in relation to parliamentary elections, an acting returning officer (in England and Wales) or a returning officer (in Scotland); or

(b)the European electoral registration officer for Gibraltar (within the meaning of section 14 of the European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003).]

(6)There are to be charged on, and paid out of, the Consolidated Fund—

(a)charges to which persons on whom functions are conferred under subsection (5) are entitled under regulations under this Act, and

(b)any sums required by the Secretary of State for expenditure on the provision of training relating to functions conferred under subsection (5).

(7)Where functions are conferred on a person under subsection (5) in relation to an electoral region,

[F3(a)in the case of an electoral region other than the combined region, the council of a relevant area falling wholly or partly within that region; and

(b)in the case of the combined region, the council of a relevant area falling wholly or partly within that region and the Government of Gibraltar,

must] place the services of their officers at his disposal for the purpose of assisting him in the discharge of those functions.

(8)In subsection (7), “relevant area” means—

(a)a district or London borough in England,

(b)a county or county borough in Wales, and

(c)a local government area in Scotland.

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 6(2) substituted (7.1.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.2.2004) by European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 (c. 7), ss. 20(2), 28(3)(4); S.I. 2004/24, art. 2(a)(i); S.I. 2004/320, art. 2(a)(i)

F2S. 6(5)(5A) substituted (7.1.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.2.2004) for s. 6(5) by European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 (c. 7), ss. 20(3), 28(3)(4); S.I. 2004/24, art. 2(a)(i); S.I. 2004/320, art. 2(a)(i)

F3S. 6(7)(a)(b) substituted (7.1.2004 for certain purposes, otherwise 5.2.2004) for words by European Parliament (Representation) Act 2003 (c. 7), ss. 20(3), 28(3)(4); S.I. 2004/24, art. 2(a)(i); S.I. 2004/320, art. 2(a)(i)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)