Recall of MPs Act 2015

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)

3 (1) Part 1 (the Electoral Commission) is amended as follows.

(2) In section 5 (reports on elections and referendums)—

(a) in the heading, for “and referendums” substitute “, referendums etc”;

(b) after subsection (3), insert—

“(4) After the end of a recall petition period (within the meaning of Schedule 3 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015), the Commission must prepare and publish (in such manner as the Commission may determine) a report on the actions taken, or not taken, under or by virtue of that Act in relation to the recall petition in question after the giving of the Speaker’s notice under section 5 of that Act in relation to that petition.”

(3) In section 6 (reviews of electoral and political matters)—

(a) in subsection (1), after paragraph (b) insert—

“(ba) such matters relating to recall petitions as the Commission may so determine;”;

(b) in subsection (3), after paragraph (b) insert—

“(ba) how a member of the House of Commons becomes subject to a recall petition process under sections 1 to 5 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015;”;

(c) in subsection (3)(c), for “and (b)” substitute “to (ba)”;

(d) in subsection (4), for “or referendums” (in both places) substitute “, referendums or recall petitions”.

(4) In section 6A(1) (attendance of representatives of Commission at elections etc), after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c) proceedings relating to a recall petition which are the responsibility of the petition officer in relation to the petition.”

(5) In section 6F (code of practice on attendance of observers at elections etc), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) The code must also cover the attendance of representatives of the Commission at proceedings relating to a recall petition which are the responsibility of the petition officer in relation to the petition.”

(6) In section 7(2) (Commission to be consulted on changes to electoral law), after paragraph (j) insert—

“(k) regulations under section 9(5) or 18 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (wording of the recall petition signing sheet and the conduct of a recall petition etc).”

(7) In section 10(3)(a) (giving of advice and assistance), omit the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (iv) and after sub-paragraph (v) insert—

“(vi) petition officers in relation to recall petitions, and

(vii) accredited campaigners within the meaning of Schedule 3 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see Part 5 of that Schedule);”.

(8) In section 21 (interpretation of Part 1), make the existing provision subsection (1) and after that subsection insert—

“(2) In this Part, “petition officer” and “recall petition” have the same meaning as in the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see section 22 of that Act).”

(9) In Schedule 1 (the Electoral Commission), in paragraph 3(3)—

(a) in paragraph (b), omit the “or” at the end of sub-paragraph (ii) and in sub-paragraph (iii) after “Part VII)” insert “, or

(iv) an accredited campaigner within the meaning of Schedule 3 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see Part 5 of that Schedule)”;

(b) in paragraph (c)(iii), after “122” insert “or in a recall petition return delivered to a petition officer under paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015”.