Elections Act 2022

Nomination of candidates at parliamentary elections

10 Candidate nomination paper: commonly used names

(1) Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (Parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 6 (nomination of candidates), for paragraph (2A) substitute—

“(2A) If a candidate—

(a) commonly uses a surname that is different from any other surname the candidate has,

(b) commonly uses a forename that is different from any other forename the candidate has, or

(c) otherwise commonly uses one or more forenames or a surname in a different way from the way in which the candidate’s names are stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) (for example, where the commonly used names are in a different order from the names as so stated, include only some of those names, or include additional names),

the nomination paper may state the commonly used name or names in addition to the names as stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a).”

(3) In rule 14 (publication of statement of persons nominated), in paragraph (2A)—

(a) for “in addition to another name” substitute “in accordance with rule 6(2A)”;

(b) for “any other name” substitute “the other surname or forename”.

(4) In the form of nomination paper in the Appendix of forms, for note 2A substitute—

“2A Where a candidate commonly uses a name or names—

(a) that are different from the candidate’s full names as stated on the nomination paper, or

(b) in a different way from the candidate’s full names as stated on the nomination paper,

the commonly used name or names may also appear on the nomination paper; but if they do so, the commonly used name or names (instead of any other name) will appear on the ballot paper.”

11 Home address form: statement of local authority area

(1) Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (Parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 6 (nomination of candidates)—

(a) in paragraph (5)(b), for the words from “state” to the end substitute “—

(i) where the candidate’s home address is in the United Kingdom, state the constituency or the relevant area within which that address is situated;

(ii) where the candidate’s home address is outside the United Kingdom, state the country within which that address is situated.”;

(b) after paragraph (5) insert—

“(6) In paragraph (5)(b)(i), “relevant area” means—

(a) in relation to a home address in England—

(i) if the address is within a district for which there is a district council, that district;

(ii) if the address is within a county in which there are no districts with councils, that county;

(iii) if the address is within a London borough, that London borough;

(iv) if the address is within the City of London (including the Inner and Middle Temples), the City of London;

(v) if the address is within the Isles of Scilly, the Isles of Scilly;

(b) in relation to a home address in Wales—

(i) if the address is within a county, that county;

(ii) if the address is within a county borough, that county borough;

(c) in relation to a home address in Scotland, the local government area in which the address is situated;

(d) in relation to a home address in Northern Ireland, the local government district in which the address is situated.”

(3) In the Appendix of forms, in the Form of Front of Ballot Paper, for the address after “Catherine Angelina Smith” substitute “(address in [relevant area])”.