(This note is not part of the Order)
This is the fifth Commencement Order for the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c.6) (“the Act”) and brings into force the remaining uncommenced provisions of the Act, with the exception of paragraphs 9(4)(b) and 10(5) of Schedule 4.
Article 2 brings into force, on the day after the day on which the Order is made, section 13(3) and (4), which makes transitional provisions in relation to provisions in the Act dealing with the sentencing powers of magistrates’ courts.
Article 3 brings into force, on 6th April 2014, section 14 (which provides for the extension of the timetable for parliamentary elections), section 16 (which provides for the alteration of electoral registers pending elections), section 18 (which provides for the Electoral Commission to recommend a reduction of charges payable to the returning officer for inadequate performance), section 20 (which provides for jointly nominated candidates to use an emblem on the ballot paper at a parliamentary election) and section 21 (which makes provision in relation to community support officers at polling stations). However, those provisions of the Act will not apply for the purposes of an election in respect of which the date of the poll specified in the notice of election is on or before 21st May 2014 (article 4).
Article 5 brings into force on 10th June 2014, in England and Wales, and on 19th September 2014, in Scotland, the remaining uncommenced provisions of the Act which relate to individual electoral registration.