The Northern Ireland (Date of Next Assembly Poll)Order 2003

Approved by both Houses of Parliament

Made21st October 2003

Laid before Parliament22nd October 2003

Coming into force22nd October 2003

Whereas the Secretary of State considers it expedient for this Order to be made without a draft having been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament:

Now, therefore, the Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 31(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 19981 hereby makes the following Order:

1.

This Order may be cited as the Northern Ireland (Date of Next Assembly Poll) Order 2003 and shall come into force on the day after the day on which it is made.

2.

The date of the poll for the election of the Assembly next following the Assembly elected under section 2 of the Northern Ireland (Elections) Act 19982 (and dissolved on 28th April 2003) shall be 26th November 2003.

Paul Murphy

One of Her Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State

Northern Ireland Office

21st October 2003

(This note is not part of the Order)

Under section 31(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as substituted by section 1(2) of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections and Periods of Suspension) Act 2003, the date of the poll for the next election of the Northern Ireland Assembly is that specified by the Secretary of State by order. This Order accordingly provides for the poll to be held on 26th November 2003.