Part 3

Advice of Electoral Commission

Advice of the Electoral Commission
21
1
This section applies in relation to a region if—
a
a referendum has been held in the region in pursuance of an order under section 1, and
b
the Secretary of State proposes that an elected assembly is established for the region.
2
Not later than the end of the period of two years beginning with the day on which the referendum was held the Secretary of State must give the Electoral Commission a direction in respect of a region in relation to which this section applies.
3
A direction under subsection (2) must require the Electoral Commission to give the Secretary of State advice as to such of the following matters as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate—
a
the electoral areas into which the region is to be divided for the purposes of the election of members to any assembly established following the referendum;
b
the number of electoral areas;
c
the name by which each electoral area is to be known;
d
the total number of members to be elected to the assembly.
4
For the purposes of subsection (3) the direction—
a
may specify maximum and minimum numbers or total numbers (as the case may be);
b
may require the advice to be given in respect of a specified number of options.
5
A direction given under this section may be varied (whether or not within the period of two years mentioned in subsection (2)) by a subsequent direction.