Commentary on Sections

Part 2Non-Party Campaigning Etc.

Section 32: Recognised third parties

101.Where a third party intends to incur controlled expenditure in excess of £20,000 in England or £10,000 in each of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland during a regulated period for an election, it must provide the Electoral Commission with a notification as required under section 88 of PPERA. The notification must specify the name and address of the third party and, in the case of a company or unincorporated association, the person who will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the accounting and disclosure provisions contained within Part 6 of PPERA.

102.Subsection (2) allows a body incorporated by Royal Charter, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation or a Scottish partnership to register as a recognised third party with the Electoral Commission.

103.Subsection (3) amends the notification requirements under section 88 of PPERA by including a new provision, section 88(3)(c)(ia) into that Act, stating that the notification should include the names of relevant participators of the body.

104.Relevant participators of a body are defined by the new section 88(3B) and new section 88(3C) as: