The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2002

Inspection of returns and declarations: candidates

54.—(1) Where the appropriate officer receives any return or declaration under article 44, 45 or 46 above he shall–

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the return or declaration make a copy of it, and any accompanying documents, available for inspection at his office, or some other convenient place chosen by him, for a period of two years beginning with the date when the return is received by him;

(b) if requested to do so by any person, and on payment of the fee set out in paragraph (3) below supply that person with a copy of the return or declaration and any accompanying documents.

(2) If any such return contains a statement of donations in accordance with article 44(3)(f) above, the appropriate officer shall secure that the copy of the statement made available for public inspection under paragraph (1)(a) above or (as the case may be) supplied under paragraph (1)(b) above does not include, in the case of any donation by an individual, the donor’s address.

(3) The fee payable for a copy of any such return, declaration or any accompanying document, shall be at the rate of 20p for each side of each page.

(4) After the expiry of the period of two years mentioned at paragraph (1) above the appropriate returning officer–

(a) may cause those returns and declarations (including any accompanying documents) to be destroyed; or

(b) if the candidate or his election agent so require shall return them to the candidate.

(5) Any returns or declarations delivered under article 39 above shall be returned not to a candidate (if he or his election agents require) but to the person delivering them, if he so requires.