Other measures to reduce burdens on public authorities

94Electoral Commission: changes to facilitate efficient administration

(1)

Schedule 1 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (the Electoral Commission) is amended as follows.

(2)

Paragraph 15 (five-year plan) is amended as set out in subsections (3) and (4).

(3)

In sub-paragraph (1), after “paragraph 14” insert “ in respect of the first financial year to begin after the day on which Parliament meets for the first time following a parliamentary general election, ”.

(4)

After that sub-paragraph insert—

“(1A)

The Speaker's Committee may require the Commission to submit a plan under sub-paragraph (1) when the Commission submit such an estimate as is mentioned in paragraph 14 in respect of a financial year other than one mentioned in that sub-paragraph.”

(5)

In paragraph 16 (annual examination of Commission by Comptroller and Auditor General), in sub-paragraph (1)—

(a)

after “paragraphs 14 and 15” insert “ in respect of any year when both an estimate under paragraph 14 and a five-year plan under paragraph 15 are submitted to them, ”;

(b)

for “in each year” substitute “ before the Committee consider the estimate and plan ”.

(6)

In the cross-heading preceding paragraph 16, for “Annual examination” substitute “ Examination ”.