The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012

Issue of postal ballot papers etc U.K.

Combination of polls U.K.

29.—(1) Where the poll at a PCC election is to be taken together under a relevant provision with the poll at one or more other elections or local referendums, the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of each election or local referendum may, if the returning officers and counting officers concerned agree, be taken together.

(2) [F1 In sub-paragraph (1),] “relevant provision” means the provisions of section 15(1) or (2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985, as they have effect in relation to PCC elections by virtue of article 13 of this Order.

[F2 (3) Where the poll at a PCC election is to be taken together with the poll at [F3 a Senedd] election under article 16A of the 2007 Order, the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of each election may, if the returning officers concerned agree, be taken together.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 2 para. 29(2) inserted (4.3.2016) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/300), arts. 1(2), 5(2)(a) (with art. 1(3))

F2 Sch. 2 para. 29(3) inserted (4.3.2016) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/300), arts. 1(2), 5(2)(b) (with art. 1(3))

F3 Words in Sch. 2 para. 29(3) substituted (16.1.2023) by The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382), regs. 1(3), 59(3)(a) (with reg. 1(6)(7))

Form of postal voting statementF4 ... U.K.

30.—(1) This paragraph specifies the form of the postal voting statement which is to be used for the purposes of rule 25 of the PCC elections rules.

(2) Form 2 or a form to like effect is to be used at a PCC election taken alone.

F5 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) [F6 Where]—

(a) the proceedings at a PCC election and another election or referendum are taken together, and

(b) the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers at both elections are taken together,

the form of the postal voting statement which is to be used is the form of that statement which is required to be used at that other election or referendum [F7 , with the addition of the F8 ... voting instructions for PCC elections.]

(5) Form 4 or a form to like effect is to be used where—

(a) the proceedings at a PCC election and another election or referendum are taken together, but

(b) the proceedings the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are not taken together.

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) references to a numbered form are to the form of that number which is set out in Part 4 of this Schedule;

[F9 (b) “the voting instructions for PCC elections” are—

“Vote for only one candidate by putting a cross [X] in the box next to your choice.”]

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in Sch. 2 para. 30 heading omitted (6.4.2014) by virtue of The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/921), arts. 1(5), 17(5) (with art. 1(5))

F5 Sch. 2 para. 30(3) omitted (6.4.2014) by virtue of The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/921), arts. 1(5), 17(2) (with art. 1(5))

F6 Word in Sch. 2 para. 30(4) substituted (6.4.2014) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/921), arts. 1(5), 17(3)(a) (with art. 1(5))

F7 Words in Sch. 2 para. 30(4) inserted (6.4.2014) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/921), arts. 1(5), 17(3)(b) (with art. 1(5))

F8 Word in Sch. 2 para. 30(4) omitted (21.12.2022) with application in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections and Welsh Forms (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1354), art. 4(a)(i)

F9 Sch. 2 para. 30(6)(b) substituted (21.12.2022) with application in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections and Welsh Forms (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1354), art. 4(a)(ii)

Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue of postal ballot papers U.K.

31.  Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D or 6E of the 2000 Act, no person may be present at the proceedings on the issue of postal ballot papers other than—

(a) the police area returning officer,

(b) the local returning officer, and

(c) the clerks of either officer.

Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on receipt of postal ballot papers U.K.

32.  Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D or 6E of the 2000 Act, no person may be present at the proceedings on the receipt of postal ballot papers other than—

(a) the police area returning officer,

(b) the local returning officer,

(c) the clerks of either officer,

(d) a candidate,

(e) an agent (including an agent appointed under paragraph 33),

(f) a sub-agent, and

(g) where the proceedings on the receipt of postal ballot papers are taken together with those proceedings at another election or a local referendum, persons entitled to be present at the proceedings for any such other election or local referendum.

Agents of candidates who may attend proceedings on receipt of postal ballot papers U.K.

33.—(1) Each candidate may appoint one or more agents to attend the proceedings on the receipt of the postal ballot papers up to the number authorised by the local returning officer in respect of each candidate and so long as the number authorised is the same in the case of each candidate.

(2) Notice in writing of the appointment stating the names and addresses of the persons appointed must be given by the candidate to the local returning officer before the time fixed for the opening of the postal voters' ballot box.

(3) Agents may be appointed and notice of appointment given to the local returning officer by the candidate's election agent instead of by the candidate.

(4) Where postal ballot papers for more than one election or local referendum are issued together under paragraph 29, the officer to whom notice must be given under sub-paragraph (2), (3) or (5) is the returning or counting officer who issues the ballot papers.

(5) If an agent dies or becomes incapable of acting, the candidate may appoint another agent and must forthwith give to the local returning officer notice in writing of the name and address of the agent appointed.

(6) In this Part of this Schedule references to agents are to be taken as references to agents whose appointments have been duly made and notified and, in the case of agents appointed under sub-paragraph (1), who are within the number authorised by the local returning officer.

(7) A candidate may do any act or thing which any agent of the candidate, if appointed, would have been authorised to do, or may assist such an agent in doing any such act or thing.

(8) Where in this Part of this Schedule any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the candidates or their agents, the non-attendance of any such persons or person at the time and place appointed for the purpose does not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.

Notification of requirement of secrecy U.K.

34.  The local returning officer must make such arrangements as the officer thinks fit to ensure that every person attending the proceedings in connection with the issue or receipt of postal ballot papers has been given a copy in writing of the provisions of sub-paragraphs (5) and (7) of article 22 (requirement of secrecy).

[F10 Time when postal ballot papers etc. are to be issued U.K.

35.   Postal ballot papers and postal voting statements must be issued by the local returning officer as soon as it is practicable to do so.]

Textual Amendments

F10 Sch. 2 para. 35 substituted (6.4.2014) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/921), arts. 1(5), 18 (with art. 1(5))

Procedure on issue of postal ballot paper U.K.

36.—(1) The number of the elector as stated in the register must be marked on the corresponding number list, next to the number and unique identifying mark of the ballot paper issued to that elector.

(2) A mark must be placed in the postal voters list or the proxy postal voters list against the number of the elector to denote that a ballot paper has been issued to the elector or the elector's proxy, but without showing the particular ballot paper issued.

(3) The number of a postal ballot paper must be marked on the postal voting statement sent with that paper.

(4) Where postal ballot papers for more than one election or local referendum are issued together under paragraph 29—

(a) one mark must be placed in the postal voters list or the proxy postal voters list under sub-paragraph (2) to denote that ballot papers have been issued in respect of all those elections or local referendums except that, where postal ballot papers are not so issued, a different mark must be placed in the postal voters list or the proxy postal voters list to indicate the election or local referendum in respect of which the ballot paper was issued, and

(b) the number of each ballot paper must be marked on the postal voting statement under sub-paragraph (3).

(5) At a PCC election where the proceedings at that election and another election or a local referendum are taken together but the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are not, the colour of the postal ballot paper must also be marked on the postal voting statement sent with the ballot paper.

(6) Subject to sub-paragraph (7), the address to which the postal ballot paper, postal voting statement and the envelopes referred to in paragraph 38 are to be sent is—

(a) in the case of an elector, the address shown in the postal voters list;

(b) in the case of a proxy, the address shown in the proxy postal voters list.

(7) Where a person has an anonymous entry in the register, the items specified in sub-paragraph (6) must be sent (as the case may be) to the address to which postal ballot papers should be sent as mentioned paragraph 4(2) or 7(7).

Refusal to issue postal ballot paper U.K.

37.  Where a local returning officer is satisfied that two or more entries in the postal voters list, or the proxy postal voters list or in each of those lists relate to the same elector, the officer must not issue more than one ballot paper in respect of that elector at any one election.

Envelopes U.K.

38.—(1) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) prescribe the envelopes which must be issued to a postal voter in addition to the ballot paper and postal voting statement (which are issued under rule 25 of the PCC elections rules).

(2) There must be issued an envelope for the return of the postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers and the postal voting statement (referred to as a “covering envelope”) which is to be marked with the letter “B”.

(3) There must also be issued a smaller envelope (referred to as a “ballot paper envelope”) which is to be marked with—

(a) the letter “A”,

(b) the words “ballot paper envelope”, and

(c) unless the envelope has a window through which the number on the ballot paper (or ballot papers) can be displayed, the number of the ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers.

(4) Sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) apply where—

(a) by virtue of provisions applied by article 13, the poll at a PCC election is taken together with the polls at an another election or local referendum, but

(b) the proceedings on the issue and receipt of ballot papers are not taken together under paragraph 29.

(5) The envelopes referred to in sub-paragraph (2) must also be marked “Covering envelope for the [insert colour of ballot paper] coloured ballot paper”.

(6) On the envelopes referred to in in sub-paragraph (3), after the words “Ballot paper envelope”, the words “for the [insert colour of ballot paper] coloured ballot paper”.

Sealing up of completed corresponding number lists and security of special lists U.K.

39.—(1) As soon as practicable after the issue of each batch of postal ballot papers, the local returning officer must make up into a packet the completed corresponding number lists of those ballot papers which have been issued and must seal the packet.

(2) Until the time referred to in paragraph 48(11), the local returning officer must take proper precautions for the security of the marked copy of the postal voters list and the proxy postal voters list.

Delivery of postal ballot papers U.K.

40.—(1) For the purposes of delivering postal ballot papers, the local returning officer may use—

(a) a postal operator within the meaning of Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 M1 ,

(b) a commercial delivery firm, or

(c) clerks appointed under rule 27 of the PCC elections rules.

(2) Where the services of a universal postal service provider or commercial delivery firm are to be used, envelopes addressed to postal voters must be counted and delivered by the local returning officer with such form of receipt to be endorsed by that provider or firm as may be arranged.

(3) Postage must be prepaid on envelopes addressed to the postal voters (except where sub-paragraph (1)(c) applies).

(4) Return postage must be prepaid on all covering envelopes where the address provided by the postal voter for the receipt of the postal ballot paper is within the United Kingdom.

Marginal Citations

M1 2011 c.5.

Spoilt postal ballot papers U.K.

41.—(1) Where a postal voter (“PV”) has inadvertently dealt with PV's postal ballot paper or postal voting statement in such a manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot paper (referred to as “ a spoilt ballot paper”) or, as the case may be, a postal voting statement (referred to as “a spoilt postal voting statement”), PV may return (either by hand or by post) to the local returning officer the spoilt ballot paper or, as the case may be, the spoilt postal voting statement.

(2) Where PV exercises the entitlement conferred by sub-paragraph (1), PV must also return—

(a) the postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, the postal voting statement, whether spoilt or not,

(b) where the postal ballot papers for more than one election or local referendum have been issued together under paragraph 29, all other ballot papers so issued, whether spoilt or not, and

(c) the envelopes supplied for the return of the documents mentioned in paragraph 38.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), on receipt of the documents referred to in sub-paragraph (1) (and, where applicable, sub-paragraph (2)), the local returning officer must issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers except where those documents are received after 5 pm on the day of the poll.

(4) Where the local returning officer receives the documents referred to in sub-paragraph (1) (and, where applicable sub-paragraph (2)), after 5 pm on the day before the day of the poll, the local returning officer must only issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers if PV returned the documents by hand.

(5) The following provisions apply to the issue of a replacement postal ballot paper under sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) paragraph 36 (except sub-paragraph (2)),

(b) paragraphs 38 and 39, and

(c) subject to sub-paragraph (8), paragraph 40.

(6) Any postal ballot paper or postal voting statement, whether spoilt or not, returned in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) or (2) must be immediately cancelled.

(7) The local returning officer, as soon as practicable after cancelling those documents, must make up those documents in a separate packet and must seal the packet; and if on any subsequent occasion documents are cancelled as mentioned above, the sealed packet must be opened and the additional cancelled documents included in it and the packet must again be made up and sealed.

(8) Where PV applies in person—

(a) by 5 pm on the day before the day of the poll, the local returning officer may hand a replacement postal ballot paper to PV, or

(b) after 5 pm on the day before the day of the poll, the local returning officer may only hand a replacement postal ballot paper to PV,

instead of delivering it in accordance with paragraph 40.

(9) The local returning officer must enter in a list kept for the purpose (“the list of spoilt postal ballot papers”)—

(a) the name and number of the elector as stated in the register (or the electoral number alone in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry),

(b) the number of any postal ballot paper issued under this paragraph, and

(c) where PV is a proxy, PV's name and address.

Lost postal ballot papers U.K.

42.—(1) Where a postal voter claims either to have lost or not to have received—

(a) the postal ballot paper, or

(b) the postal voting statement, or

(c) one or more of the envelopes supplied for their return,

by the fourth day before the day of the poll, the postal voter may apply (whether or not in person) to the local returning officer for a replacement ballot paper.

(2) Such an application must include evidence of the postal voter's identity.

(3) Where a postal voter exercises the entitlement conferred by sub-paragraph (1), the postal voter must return—

(a) the documents referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a) to (c) , and

(b) where the postal ballot papers for more than one election or local referendum have been issued together under paragraph 29, all other ballot papers so issued,

which the postal voter has received and which have not been lost.

(4) Any postal ballot paper or postal voting statement returned in accordance with sub-paragraph (3) must be immediately cancelled.

(5) The local returning officer, as soon as practicable after cancelling those documents, must make up those documents in a separate packet and must seal the packet; and if on any subsequent occasion documents are cancelled as mentioned above, the sealed packet must be opened and the additional cancelled documents included in it and the packet must be again made up and sealed.

(6) Subject to sub-paragraph (7), where the application is received by the local returning officer before 5 pm on the day of the poll and the local returning officer—

(a) is satisfied as to the postal voter's identity, and

(b) has no reason to doubt that the postal voter has either lost or has not received the original postal ballot paper or the postal voting statement or one or more of the envelopes provided for their return,

the local returning officer must issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers.

(7) Where the application is received by the local returning officer after 5 pm on the day before the day of the poll, the officer must only issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers if the postal voter applies in person.

(8) The local returning officer must enter in a list kept for the purpose (“the list of lost postal ballot papers”)—

(a) the name and number of the elector as stated in the register (or the electoral number alone in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry),

(b) the number of any postal ballot paper issued under this paragraph, and

(c) where the postal voter is a proxy, the proxy's name and address.

(9) The following provisions apply to the issue of a replacement postal ballot paper under sub-paragraph (6)—

(a) paragraph 36 (except sub-paragraph (2)),

(b) paragraphs 38 and 39, and

(c) subject to sub-paragraph (10), paragraph 40.

(10) Where a postal voter applies in person—

(a) by 5 pm on the day before the day of the poll, the local returning officer may hand a replacement postal ballot paper to the postal voter, or

(b) after 5 pm on the day before the day of the poll, the local returning officer may only hand a replacement postal ballot paper to the postal voter,

instead of delivering it in accordance with paragraph 40.

[F11 Cancellation of postal ballot papers U.K.

42A.— (1) Where, after the nineteenth day before the date of the poll at a PCC election the registration officer grants a relevant application or receives a relevant notice, and the application or notice is not to be disregarded for the purposes of that election under paragraph 16, the registration officer must notify the local returning officer who must immediately cancel any postal ballot paper issued to the elector or proxy and, in the case of an application under paragraph 3(5)(a) or 7(6) (postal ballot paper to be sent to different address), must issue a replacement postal ballot paper.

(2) Where a person returns a postal ballot paper that has been or is to be cancelled in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) (whether to the registration officer or the local returning officer), it must be dealt with as follows—

(a) the ballot paper, together with any other ballot papers, postal voting statements or covering envelopes which are returned to the registration officer, must be given by the registration officer to the local returning officer;

(b) any document returned in accordance with this sub-paragraph but not cancelled in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) must be immediately cancelled;

(c) the local returning officer, as soon as practicable after receiving and cancelling those documents, must make up those documents in a separate packet and must seal the packet, and if on any subsequent occasion documents are returned in accordance with this sub-paragraph, the sealed packet must be opened, the additional cancelled documents included in it and the packet must be again made up and sealed.

(3) The local returning officer must enter in a list kept for the purpose of recording postal ballot papers cancelled under this paragraph (“the list of cancelled postal ballot papers”)—

(a) the name and number of the elector as stated in the register of electors (or, in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, their electoral number alone);

(b) the number of the cancelled postal ballot paper;

(c) the number of any replacement postal ballot paper issued under sub-paragraph (1); and

(d) where the postal voter is a proxy, their name and address.

(4) Paragraphs 36 (except sub-paragraph (2)), 38, 39 and 40 apply to a replacement postal ballot paper issued under sub-paragraph (1).

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) a relevant application is an application under—

(i) paragraph 3(5)(a) (postal ballot paper to be sent to different address),

(ii) paragraph 3(5)(b) (voting by proxy by person recorded as voting by post),

(iii) paragraph 5(4) (appointment of proxy),

(iv) paragraph 7(6) (application from postal proxy voter for postal ballot paper to be sent to different address), [F12 or]

(v) a provision mentioned in regulation 78A(1)(a) to (g) of the 2001 Regulations that would otherwise have effect in relation to the PCC election by virtue of paragraph 4, F13 ...

F13 (vi) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) a relevant notice is a notice under—

(i) paragraph 5(6) (cancellation of proxy appointment), or

(ii) paragraph 6(10) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 F14 ... that would otherwise have effect in relation to a PCC election by virtue of paragraph 4 of this Schedule.

(6) In computing the period of nineteen days for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) a Saturday or Sunday,

(b) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday, or

(c) a date appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning,

is to be disregarded.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Sch. 2 para. 42A inserted (6.4.2014) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/921), arts. 1(5), 19 (with art. 1(5))

F12 Word in Sch. 2 para. 42A(5)(a)(iv) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 12(a) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))

F13 Sch. 2 para. 42A(5)(a)(vi) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 12(b) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))

F14 Words in Sch. 2 para. 42A(5)(b)(ii) revoked (31.12.2020) by The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. 2 Table (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))