Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Representation of the People Act 1983

Type Public General Act

Publication 1983-02-08

Last updated 2026-03-13

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(a) in a case falling within subsection (5)(a)(i), the day when the registration officer receives the notification referred to in that provision (or, if that is not a working day, the next working day);

(b) in a case falling within subsection (5)(a)(ii), the day when the registration officer makes the determination referred to in that provision (or, if that is not a working day, the next working day).

(8) If the petition officer in relation to the recall petition receives a notice under section 13(6) of the 2015 Act (early termination of recall petition process), this section ceases to apply in the case of that petition.

(9) But if, at the time when that notice is so received—

(a) the registration officer is under a duty under subsection (3) or (6) of this section to issue a notice, but

(b) has not yet issued the notice,

the registration officer remains under that duty to issue the notice at the time at which it would have been required to be issued if subsection (8) had not applied.

(10) In this section—

(a) “the cut-off day” means the 3rd working day before the beginning of the signing period,

(b) “qualifying application for registration” means an application for registration that—

(i) is made on or before the day on which the Speaker's notice is given, or

(ii) is treated as made by virtue of section 10A(2) (return of canvass form treated as application for registration) in respect of a form returned on or before that day,

(d) the following expressions have the same meaning as in the 2015 Act: “MP”, “petition officer”, “recall petition”, “the signing period”, “Speaker's notice” and “working day” (see section 22 of that Act), and

(e) any reference to a notice given under the 2015 Act or the time at which such a notice is given has the same meaning as in that Act.

Returning officers: local elections in Scotland.

Note.—The forms contained in this Appendix may be adapted so far as circumstances require.

*State the relationship of the companion to the voter.

Note.—The forms contained in this Appendix may be adapted so far as circumstances require.

*State the relationship of the companion to the voter.

37ZA

(1) In every year the ordinary day of election of councillors is the same for all local government areas in Wales ... and unless subsection (2) applies or an order under subsection (1A) provides otherwise, is—

(a) the first Thursday in May;

(b) such other day as may be fixed by the Welsh Ministers by order ....

(1A) The Welsh Ministers may by order fix a different day to the one specified in or fixed under subsection (1) as the ordinary day of election of—

(a) councillors for one or more counties or county boroughs in Wales, or

(b) community councillors for one or more communities in Wales.

(1B) An order under subsection (1) or (1A) may fix a day for one or more years.

(2) The ordinary day of election of councillors is not the day specified in or fixed under subsection (1) or fixed under subsection (1A) if that day is the day of the poll at an ordinary general election of members of the National Assembly for Wales.

(3) Where under subsection (2) the ordinary day of election of councillors is not the day specified in or fixed under subsection (1) or fixed under subsection (1A), it is such other day as the Welsh Ministers may by order specify.

(4) The power to make an order under subsection (1)(b) or (3) is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

(6) Before making an order under this section, the Welsh Ministers must consult—

(a) each council affected by the order,

(b) any bodies appearing to the Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of the councils affected by the order, and

10ZF

(1) The Minister of the Crown responsible for providing the UK digital service shall have the following functions in connection with providing that service—

(a) acting as an intermediary for the purposes of the receipt of—

(i) online canvass forms, and

(ii) online applications for registration,

in respect of addresses in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland;

(b) the transmission of such forms or applications to the Chief Electoral Officer.

(2) Where it is possible for electronic communications or electronic storage to be used for any of the purposes specified in subsection (3), such communication or storage may, subject to any enactment (including any conditions imposed by any enactment), be used instead of any other form of communication or storage.

(3) The purposes are—

(a) the exercise by the Minister of the Crown responsible for providing the UK digital service of any function conferred on the Minister—

(i) by subsection (1), or

(ii) under paragraph 1A of Schedule 2 in connection with applications for registration in respect of addresses in Northern Ireland;

(b) anything done through the UK digital service in connection with an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland.

(4) In this section—

“electronic communication” has the meaning given in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000;

“enactment” includes subordinate legislation;

“the UK digital service” means a digital service provided by a Minister of the Crown for the registration of electors, and the reference in subsection (3)(b) to anything done through the UK digital service shall be read as a reference to anything done using that service as an intermediary.

10B

(1) Where a person meets the condition in subsection (1A) or the condition in subsection (1B), the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland shall allocate a unique reference number (a “digital registration number”) to the person if no such number has previously been allocated to that person.

(1A) A person meets the condition in this subsection if, following receipt of an application for registration made by the person in respect of an address in Northern Ireland and submitted through the UK digital service, the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person is entitled to be registered in the register.

(1B) A person meets the condition in this subsection if—

(a) in connection with a canvass under section 10 above, the form completed in respect of any address specifies the person as a person who is entitled to be registered in a register,

(b) the form is submitted through the UK digital service,

(d) following receipt of the form, the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person is entitled to be registered in the register.

(2) Subsection (3) applies—

(a) where a digital registration number has been allocated to a person under subsection (1), ...

(b) where, following—

(i) an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service by a person to whom a digital registration number has previously been issued, or

(ii) (where section 10A(2) above does not apply) the submission of a form in connection with a canvass under section 10 above through the UK digital service by such a person,

the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person’s registration in the register is to be amended in accordance with the application or form, or

(i) an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service by a person to whom a digital registration number has previously been issued, or

(ii) the submission of a form in connection with a canvass under section 10 above through the UK digital service by such a person,

the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person’s registration in the register is not to be amended in accordance with the application or form.

(3) Where this subsection applies, the Chief Electoral Officer shall send the person a notification by the appropriate method (see subsection (3A)) of the digital registration number allocated to that person together with an explanation of—

(a) the fact that the digital registration number is required for an application for an absent vote pursuant to section 6(1)(bba)(ii) or 7(1)(bba)(ii) of the Representation of the People Act 1985, and

(b) how a further notification of the digital registration number may be obtained if the person requires it.

(3A) In subsection (3), “by the appropriate method” means—

(a) in a case falling within subsection (2)(a) or (b), by post;

(b) in a case falling within subsection (2)(c) —

(i) by post, or

(ii) if the person has given an email address in the application or form, by email to that address.

(4) If, after a notification has been sent to a person under subsection (3) or a further notification issued under subsection (6), the person requires a further notification of the digital registration number the person may apply to the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for a further notification of the number.

(5) An application under subsection (4) must set out—

(a) the applicant’s—

(i) name,

(ii) date of birth, and

(iii) national insurance number or a statement that the applicant does not have one (giving the reason why), and

(b) the address in respect of which the applicant is, or has applied to be, registered.

(6) Where the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is satisfied that the information contained in an application under subsection (4) corresponds with the information held by the Chief Electoral Officer in relation to the applicant, the Chief Electoral Officer shall issue a further notification of the digital registration number to the applicant.

(7) A further notification under subsection (6) shall be issued by—

(a) giving it to the applicant in person, or

(b) sending it to the applicant—

(i) by post, ...

(ii) if the applicant has given an email address in an application or form mentioned in subsection (1A), (1B) or (2), by email to that address , or

(iii) if the applicant has given a mobile telephone number in an application or form mentioned in subsection (1A), (1B) or (2), by text message to that number.

(8) A notification or further notification by post pursuant to subsection (3) or (7)(b)(i) shall be sent—

(a) in the case of a person who is registered, or has made an application for registration, in pursuance of a service declaration, to the address given on the application form as the person’s present address or, if the Chief Electoral Officer is satisfied the applicant has moved to another address, to that address, or

(b) in any other case, to the address in respect of which the person is, or is entitled to be, registered.

(9) In this section, “the UK digital service” has the same meaning as in section 10ZF, and references to a form or an application for registration submitted through the UK digital service shall be construed in accordance with subsection (4) of that section.

7AA

(1) This section applies to a convicted person to whom section 3(1A) applies.

(2) In determining whether the convicted person is resident in a dwelling on the relevant date for the purpose of section 4(3)(a), the convicted person's residence is not to be taken to have been interrupted by reason of the convicted person's detention in a penal institution if—

(a) the convicted person—

(i) intends to resume actual residence when released from the penal institution (other than on temporary release), and

(ii) will not be prevented from doing so by an order of any court, or

(b) the dwelling serves as a permanent place of residence (whether for the convicted person alone or with other persons) and the convicted person would be in actual residence there but for the convicted person's detention.

Note.—The forms contained in this Appendix may be adapted so far as circumstances require.

*State the relationship of the companion to the voter.

8A

In relation to a local government election in Wales, expenses incurred in respect of, or in consequence of, the translation of anything from Welsh into English or from English into Welsh.

14A

(1) The Electoral Commission (“the Commission”) may prepare, and from time to time revise, a code of practice for local government elections in Wales giving—

(a) guidance as to the matters which do, or do not, fall within Part 1 or Part 2 of this Schedule;

(b) guidance (supplementing the definition in section 90ZA(3)) as to the cases or circumstances in which expenses are, or are not, to be regarded as incurred for the purposes of a candidate's election.

(c) guidance relating to the application of Part 2 of this Act in relation to expenses incurred for the purposes of a candidate’s election (whether or not election expenses).

(2) Once the Commission have prepared a draft code under this paragraph, they must submit it to the Welsh Ministers for approval.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may approve a draft code with or without modifications.

(4) Once the Welsh Ministers have approved a draft code they must lay a copy of the draft, in the form in which they have approved it, before Senedd Cymru.

(5) If the draft incorporates modifications, the Welsh Ministers must at the same time lay before Senedd Cymru a statement of their reasons for making them.

(6) If, within the 40-day period, Senedd Cymru resolves not to approve the draft, the Welsh Ministers must take no further steps in relation to it.

(7) If no such resolution is made within the 40-day period—

(a) the Welsh Ministers must issue the code in the form of the draft laid before Senedd Cymru,

(b) the code comes into force on the date appointed by the Welsh Ministers by order made by statutory instrument, and

(8) Sub-paragraph (6) does not prevent a new draft code from being laid before Senedd Cymru.

(9) In this paragraph, “the 40-day period”, in relation to a draft code, means the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before Senedd Cymru, no account being taken of any period during which Senedd Cymru is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.

(10) In this paragraph references to a draft code include a revised draft code.

Note.—The forms contained in this Appendix may be adapted so far as circumstances require.

36A

(1) Elections of councillors for local government areas in Wales must be conducted in accordance with rules made by the Welsh Ministers.

(2) In relation to the election of councillors to a county council or a county borough council, rules under subsection (1) must—

(a) require polls to be conducted if elections are contested,

(b) establish the requirements for becoming a candidate for election,

(d) provide for polls to be conducted under the voting systems authorised by sections 5 to 9 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, which are a simple majority system and a single transferable vote system.

(3) In relation to the election of community councillors for a community council, rules under subsection (1) must—

(a) require polls to be conducted if elections are contested,

(b) establish the requirements for becoming a candidate for election,

(d) provide for polls to be conducted under a simple majority system.

(4) Rules under subsection (1) may make any other provision for the conduct of elections of councillors for local government areas in Wales.

(5) Rules made by the Welsh Ministers may, for the purposes of, in consequence of, or for giving full effect to rules made under subsection (1), make supplementary, incidental, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision.

(6) Rules under subsection (5) may amend, modify, repeal or revoke any enactment (including an enactment contained in this Act).

(7) Before making rules under this section, the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(8) The requirement to consult imposed by subsection (7) may be satisfied by consultation undertaken before the coming into force of this section.

(9) The power to make rules under this section—

(a) is exercisable by statutory instrument;

(b) includes power to make different provision for different purposes.

(10) A statutory instrument containing rules under this section must not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by resolution of Senedd Cymru.

36B

(1) Where the polls at—

(a) the ordinary election of councillors of a Welsh county or county borough or an election to fill a casual vacancy occurring in the office of such a councillor, and

(b) the ordinary election of community councillors or an election to fill a casual vacancy occurring in the office of such a councillor,

are to be taken on the same day and the elections are for related electoral areas, the polls at those elections must be taken together.

(2) For the purposes of this section electoral areas are related if they are coterminous or if one is situated within the other.

(3) Where the polls at any elections are combined under this section the cost of taking the combined polls (excluding any cost solely attributable to one election) and any cost attributable to their combination must be apportioned equally among the elections.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision in connection with the combining of polls at any elections under this section including provision modifying the Representation of the People Acts in relation to such elections.

(5) Before making regulations under this section the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(6) The requirement to consult imposed by subsection (5) may be satisfied by consultation undertaken before the coming into force of this section.

(7) The power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(8) Regulations must not be made under this section unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru.

36C

(1) All expenditure properly incurred by a returning officer in relation to the holding of an election of a councillor for a county or county borough in Wales must, in so far as it does not, in cases where there is a scale fixed for the purposes of this section by the council for that area, exceed that scale, be paid by that council.

(2) All the expenditure properly incurred by a returning officer in relation to the holding of an election of a community councillor must, in so far as it does not, in cases where there is a scale fixed for the purposes of this section by the council of the county or county borough in which the community is situated (“the principal council”), exceed that scale, be paid by the principal council; and if the principal council so require, any expenditure so incurred must be repaid to them by the community council.

(3) Before a poll is taken at an election of a councillor for any local government area in Wales the council of that area or, in the case of an election of a community councillor, the council who appointed the returning officer must, at the request of the returning officer (including any person acting as returning officer), advance to the officer such reasonable sum in respect of the officer’s expenses at the election as the officer may require.

88A

(1) At a local government election in Scotland, the returning officer must, within 10 days after the end of the time allowed for the delivery of returns as to election expenses—

(a) publish a notice, in such manner as the returning officer considers appropriate, of the time and place at which the returns and declarations (including the accompanying documents) can be inspected, and

(b) send a copy of the notice to each of the election agents.

(2) If any return or declaration has not been received by the returning officer before the returning officer publishes a notice under subsection (1)(a), the returning officer must include in the notice a statement that the return or declaration has not been received.

(3) If the return or declaration referred to in subsection (2) is received after the notice is published under subsection (1)(a), the returning officer must, within 10 days after the return or declaration is received—

(a) publish a further notice, in such manner as the returning officer considers appropriate, of the time and place at which the late return or declaration (including the accompanying documents) can be inspected, and

(b) send a copy of the further notice to each of the election agents other than the agent who delivered the late return or declaration or the agent for the candidate who delivered the late declaration.

PART 2A — Guidance by the Electoral Commission

12A

(1) The Commission may prepare, and from time to time revise, a code of practice giving—

(a) guidance as to the matters which do, or do not, fall within Part 1 or Part 2 of this schedule,

(b) guidance (supplementing the definition in section 90ZB) as to the cases or circumstances in which expenses are, or are not, to be regarded as incurred for the purposes of a candidate's election.

(2) Once the Commission have prepared a draft code under this paragraph, the Commission must submit it to the Scottish Ministers for their approval.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may approve a draft code either without modification or with such modifications as they may determine.

(4) Once the Scottish Ministers have approved a draft code, they must lay a copy of the draft before the Scottish Parliament, either—

(a) in its original form, or

(b) in a form which incorporates any modifications determined under sub-paragraph (3).

(5) If the draft incorporates any modifications determined under sub-paragraph (3), the Scottish Ministers must at the same time lay before the Scottish Parliament a statement of their reasons for making them.

(6) If, within the 40-day period, the Scottish Parliament resolves not to approve the draft code, the Scottish Ministers must take no further steps in relation to the draft code.

(7) If no such resolution is made within the 40-day period—

(a) the Scottish Ministers must issue the code in the form of the draft laid before the Scottish Parliament, and

(b) the Commission must arrange for it to be published in such manner as the Commission think appropriate.

(8) Sub-paragraph (6) does not prevent a new draft code from being laid before the Scottish Parliament.

(9) In this paragraph, “the 40-day period”, in relation to the draft code, means the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft code is laid before the Scottish Parliament (taking no account of any time during which the Parliament is dissolved or in recess for more than 4 days).

(10) In this Part, references to a draft code include references to a draft revised code.

87B

Where the appropriate officer receives any return or declaration under section 75A, 81 or 82 in respect of a local government election in Scotland, the appropriate officer must, if so requested by the Electoral Commission, deliver to the Commission a copy of—

(a) the return or declaration, and

(b) any accompanying documents.

46A

(1) Subsection (2) applies to a local government election for an electoral area in Wales where a simple majority system applies.

(2) An elector or person acting as proxy for an elector—

(a) may not give more than one vote for any one candidate;

(b) may not give more votes in all than the total number of councillors to be elected for the electoral ward.

(3) Subsection (4) applies to an election for an electoral ward of a county council or county borough council in Wales where a single transferable vote system applies.

(4) An elector or a person acting as proxy for an elector may not give more than one vote (whether as first preference or any subsequent preference) for any one candidate.

(5) No person is subject to an incapacity to vote at a local government election in Wales by reason of the fact that the person is, or is acting as, the returning officer at that election.

Electoral identity document: Great Britain

13BD

(1) An application for an electoral identity document may be made by a person who—

(a) is or has applied to be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain or a register of local government electors in England, or

(b) is or has applied to be registered in a register of local government electors in Wales and—

(i) is entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on being registered be entitled to vote, at an election of a police and crime commissioner for a police area in Wales (see section 52(1A) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011), or

(ii) will be entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on being registered be entitled to vote, at such an election on attaining the age of 18.

(2) An application must be made to a registration officer who maintains a register referred to in subsection (1) in which the applicant is or has applied to be registered.

(3) A registration officer must, in accordance with regulations, determine an application made to the registration officer.

(4) Regulations may make provision—

(a) about the timing of an application for an electoral identity document;

(b) about the issuing or collection of an electoral identity document.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4)(a) may in particular provide for an application to be disregarded for the purposes of a particular election where the application is received after a deadline specified by reference to the date of that election.

(6) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (4)(b) includes provision amending the parliamentary elections rules in connection with the collection of an electoral identity document from a polling station.

(7) No charge may be made for the issue of an electoral identity document.

(8) Regulations must require an electoral identity document issued to a person—

(a) to state the person’s full name, and

(b) to contain a photograph of the person.

(9) Regulations may require an electoral identity document to include other information.

(10) Regulations may make provision about—

(a) the form of an electoral identity document (including provision for the document to be issued in different forms in different circumstances), and

(b) the period for which an electoral identity document issued in a particular form is to be valid.

(11) Regulations under subsection (9) or (10)(a) may confer functions on the Electoral Commission (for example, the Commission may be required to design an electoral identity document).

Anonymous elector’s document: Great Britain

13BE

(1) An application for an anonymous elector’s document may be made by a person who—

(a) has or has applied for an anonymous entry in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain or a register of local government electors in England, or

(b) has or has applied for an anonymous entry in a register of local government electors in Wales and—

(i) is entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on having an anonymous entry in the register be entitled to vote, at an election of a police and crime commissioner for a police area in Wales (see section 52(1A) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011), or

(ii) will be entitled to vote or, as the case may be, will on having an anonymous entry in the register be entitled to vote, at such an election on attaining the age of 18.

(2) An application must be made to a registration officer who maintains a register referred to in subsection (1) in which the applicant has or has applied for an anonymous entry.

(3) A registration officer must, in accordance with regulations, determine an application made to the registration officer.

(4) Regulations may make provision—

(a) about the timing of an application for an anonymous elector’s document;

(b) about the issuing or collection of an anonymous elector’s document.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4)(a) may in particular provide for an application to be disregarded for the purposes of a particular election where the application is received after a deadline specified by reference to the date of that election.

(6) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (4)(b) includes provision amending the parliamentary elections rules in connection with the collection of an anonymous elector’s document from a polling station.

(7) No charge may be made for the issue of an anonymous elector’s document.

(8) Regulations must require an anonymous elector’s document issued to a person—

(a) to state the person’s electoral number, and

(b) to contain a photograph of the person.

(9) Regulations may require an anonymous elector’s document to include other information.

(10) Regulations may make provision about—

(a) the form of an anonymous elector’s document (including provision for the document to be issued in different forms in different circumstances), and

(b) the period for which an anonymous elector’s document issued in a particular form is to be valid.

(11) Regulations under subsection (9) or (10)(a) may confer functions on the Electoral Commission (for example, the Commission may be required to design an anonymous elector’s document).

(12) Regulations—

(a) may authorise or require a registration officer to remind a person who has an anonymous entry in a register maintained by the officer of the need to obtain an anonymous elector’s document in order to be able to vote in person;

(b) may require a registration officer, in prescribed circumstances, to replace an anonymous elector’s document issued to a person with a new anonymous elector’s document issued by the officer.

Date of birth lists for polling stations in Northern Ireland

19B

(1) The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must prepare the following lists for each polling station—

(a) a list setting out, in relation to each elector allotted to the polling station, the elector’s date of birth as supplied pursuant to section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b);

(b) a list setting out, in relation to each person appointed to vote as proxy for an elector allotted to the polling station, the person’s date of birth as supplied pursuant to a relevant provision.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), “relevant provision” means—

(a) where the person is or will be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Northern Ireland, section 10(4A)(b), 10A(1A)(b) or 13A(2A)(b), and

(b) where the person is or will be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in Great Britain and does not also fall within sub-paragraph (a), section 8(7A) of the Representation of the People Act 1985.

(3) A list prepared under paragraph (1) must include sufficient information for the purposes of enabling the presiding officer or a clerk at the polling station to make a decision under rule 37(1B)(a)(ii) (decision whether specified document raises doubt as to voter’s apparent age).

(4) A person to whom paragraph (5) applies must not, otherwise than in accordance with these rules (including regulations under paragraph (6))—

(a) permit a list prepared under paragraph (1) for a polling station to be inspected;

(b) supply to any person a copy of a list prepared under paragraph (1) for a polling station or information contained in such a list;

(5) This paragraph applies to—

(a) the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland;

(b) a person to whom functions are delegated by the Chief Electoral Officer;

(d) a clerk or other officer appointed to work at the polling station.

(6) Regulations may make provision—

(a) enabling the inspection of a list prepared under paragraph (1) by prescribed persons;

(b) authorising or requiring prescribed persons to supply a copy of a list prepared under paragraph (1) to such persons as may be prescribed;

(7) Regulations under paragraph (6)(a) or (b) may impose conditions in relation to—

(a) the inspection of a list;

(b) the supply of a copy of a list;

(c) the purposes for which information contained in a list that is inspected or supplied in pursuance of the regulations may be used.

(8) The conditions that may be imposed by virtue of paragraph (7)(b) include conditions relating to the extent to which a person to whom a copy of a list has been supplied may—

(a) supply the copy to any other person,

(b) disclose to any other person information contained in the copy, or

(9) Regulations under paragraph (6) may also impose, in respect of persons to whom a copy of a list has been supplied or information has been disclosed by virtue of paragraph (8), conditions corresponding to those mentioned in paragraph (8).

Collection and disclosure of information relating to applications made under rules 37 to 40

40B

(1) This rule applies in relation to an election held in England and Wales or Scotland if—

(a) regulations provide that this rule applies in relation to the election, or

(b) the election is within a description of elections in relation to which regulations provide that this rule applies.

(2) A presiding officer must—

(a) collect prescribed information relating to applications made under rules 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) and 40(1), and

(b) provide the prescribed information to the returning officer as soon as practicable after the close of the poll.

(3) Where the prescribed information relates to an election held in England and Wales—

(a) the returning officer must forward the information to the relevant registration officer, and

(b) the relevant registration officer must, as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the information, deal with it as required by paragraph (5).

(4) Where the prescribed information relates to an election held in Scotland, the returning officer must deal with it as required by paragraph (5).

(5) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must—

(a) anonymise the prescribed information by removing from it all names and electoral numbers of the people to whom the information relates, and

(b) collate the information in the prescribed manner.

The information as anonymised and collated in accordance with this paragraph is referred to in the rest of this rule as “the paragraph (5) information”.

(6) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must provide the paragraph (5) information—

(a) to the Secretary of State, as soon as reasonably practicable after taking the steps required by paragraph (5), and

(b) where they request the information, to the Electoral Commission.

(7) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must not disclose the paragraph (5) information otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (6).

(8) The relevant registration officer or (as the case may be) the returning officer must retain the information anonymised in accordance with paragraph (5)(a) for at least 10 years.

(9) For the purposes of paragraph (5)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D), as stated in the copy of that notice.

(10) Except as provided by paragraph (11), a disclosure of information under this rule does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the presiding officer, the returning officer or a registration officer, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(11) Nothing in this rule authorises the making of a disclosure that contravenes the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, the duties imposed by paragraphs (2)and (3) are to be taken into account).

(12) In this rule—

(a) “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3(9) of that Act);

(b) references to the relevant registration officer are to—

(i) the registration officer of the local authority in whose area the constituency is situated, or

(ii) if the constituency comprises any part of the area of more than one local authority, the registration officer of the local authority in whose area the greater or greatest (as the case may be) number of electors is registered.

Inspection of ballot paper refusal list: Great Britain

56A

(1) Regulations may make provision about the circumstances in which a registration officer may open the sealed packet containing a completed ballot paper refusal list and inspect the list.

(2) Regulations may impose conditions in relation to the opening of a sealed packet or the inspection of a list by virtue of paragraph (1).

(3) Regulations may make provision about the disclosure by a registration officer of information contained in the ballot paper refusal list.

5ZA

(1) Provision about the manner in which relevant absent voting applications are to be made.

(2) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision—

(a) conferring functions on the Secretary of State, registration officers, or local or public authorities in Great Britain, to enable applications to be made in a particular manner;

(b) conferring other functions on registration officers;

(d) authorising the Secretary of State or the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, in prescribed circumstances, to complete applications in part for people.

(3) Provision imposing requirements to be met in relation to a relevant absent voting application.

(4) Provision about how any requirement for an applicant to provide a signature in connection with a relevant absent voting application may be satisfied.

(5) In this paragraph “relevant absent voting application” has the same meaning as in paragraph 1A.

(6) A notice under section 8(9) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (cancellation of proxy appointment) is to be treated as a relevant absent voting application for the purposes of this paragraph.

8BA

(1) Provision requiring a registration officer in Great Britain to keep records of—

(a) applications made to the officer under sections 13BD and 13BE;

(b) documents issued by the officer under those sections.

(2) Provision requiring the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland to keep records of—

(a) applications made to the Chief Electoral Officer under section 13C;

(b) electoral identity cards issued under that section.

(3) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) may include provision about information to be shown in a record.

(4) Provision authorising or requiring a relevant registration officer—

(a) to supply a copy of a record kept by the officer by virtue of provision made under sub-paragraph (1) or (2), or

(b) to disclose information contained in such a record,

to such persons and for such purposes as may be prescribed.

(5) In sub-paragraph (4), “relevant registration officer” means—

(a) in relation to a record referred to in sub-paragraph (1), a registration officer in Great Britain;

(b) in relation to a record referred to in sub-paragraph (2), the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland.

...

59A

(1) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish reports on the effect of the voter identification requirements on applications made under rule 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) or 40(1) of the parliamentary elections rules.

(2) The duty under subsection (1) applies in respect of each of the first two parliamentary general elections that are held after the day on which paragraph 7 of Schedule 1 to the Elections Act 2022 comes into force.

(3) Subsection (4) applies where requirements corresponding to the voter identification requirements (“the corresponding requirements”) have effect in relation to local government elections in England by virtue of rules made under section 36.

(4) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish reports on the effect of the corresponding requirements on applications made under the provisions of rules made under section 36 corresponding to rules 37(1), 38(1), 39(1) and 40(1) of the parliamentary elections rules.

(5) The duty under subsection (4) applies in respect of the first ordinary elections of councillors for local government areas in England that—

(a) are held on an ordinary day of election (as determined under section 37) after the day on which the corresponding requirements come into force, and

(b) are not combined with a parliamentary general election.

(6) In preparing a report under this section, the Secretary of State must in particular take into account—

(a) in the case of a report under subsection (1), information provided to the Secretary of State under rule 40B of the parliamentary elections rules (collection and disclosure of information relating to applications under rules 37 to 40);

(b) in the case of a report under subsection (4), information provided to the Secretary of State under any provision of rules made under section 36 corresponding to rule 40B of the parliamentary elections rules.

(7) In this section, “the voter identification requirements” means paragraphs (1A) to (1T) of rule 37 of the parliamentary elections rules (voting procedure) as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland (including those paragraphs as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40 of those rules).

Voting procedure and voter identification requirements: Northern Ireland Voting procedure and voter identification requirements: Great Britain

Refusal to deliver ballot paper: Great Britain

40ZB

(1) This rule applies in relation to an election held in England and Wales or Scotland.

(2) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as an elector, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a) the voter’s electoral number, and

(b) against that number, the reason for the refusal.

(3) Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as a proxy, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a) the name and address of the voter, and

(b) against those details, the reason for the refusal.

(4) Paragraphs (5) and (6) apply where—

(a) a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under rule 37(1E), and

(b) the voter makes a further application under rule 37(1).

(5) If a ballot paper is delivered to the voter following a further application, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(6) If the presiding officer again refuses to deliver a ballot paper to the voter, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(7) Entries required by this rule to be made on the ballot paper refusal list must be made as soon as practicable after delivery of a ballot paper to a voter is refused (or, in the case mentioned in paragraph (5), as soon as practicable after the delivery of a ballot paper to a voter).

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a) allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b) where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D), as stated in the copy of that notice.

(9) Subject to rule 37(1G) and paragraph (10), a refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.

(10) A refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is subject to review on an election petition.

(11) In this rule—

(a) except in paragraph (4)(a), any reference to the refusal to deliver a ballot paper (however expressed) is to the refusal to do so under rule 35(3) or 37(1E), and

(b) any reference to paragraph (1E) or (1G) of rule 37 includes a reference to that paragraph as applied by rule 38, 39 or 40.

Refusal to deliver ballot paper: Northern Ireland

5.

If by mistake you spoil a ballot paper, show it to the presiding officer and ask for another one.

3ZB

(1) Provision about renewal declarations (within the meaning given by section 1D(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985), including in particular provision about their form and contents.

(2) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision conferring functions on the Electoral Commission.

12ZA

(1) Where regulations under rule 45(1B)(a) or (b) in Schedule 1 provide that a postal voting document may be returned by hand to a polling station or to the returning officer, provision within this paragraph.

(2) Provision—

(a) requiring a person who seeks to hand in a postal voting document to complete a form containing prescribed information,

(b) requiring a relevant officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person who fails to provide all the prescribed information on such a form, and

(3) Provision requiring a relevant officer—

(a) to reject all postal voting documents handed in together by a person where the relevant officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the documents are handed in on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors;

(b) to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person, or all postal voting documents handed in together by a person, on a particular occasion, where the relevant officer has reasonable cause to suspect that, taking that document or those documents together with any postal voting documents handed in by the person on any previous occasion (disregarding any that were rejected), the person has handed in postal voting documents on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) references to postal voting documents handed in by a person are to postal voting documents—

(i) all relating to the same election, or

(ii) where more than one poll is to be taken on a day, each of which relates to an election the poll at which is to be taken on that day,

but do not include references to a postal voting document issued to that person;

(b) “electors” means persons who are electors in relation to an election to which any of the postal voting documents handed in by the person relates.

(5) Provision authorising a relevant officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person where the relevant officer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that, in handing in the document, the person commits an offence under section 112A (offences relating to handling of postal voting documents).

(6) Provision as to the arrangements to be made in respect of the documents mentioned in sub-paragraph (7), including provision about—

(a) the procedure to be followed in respect of those documents;

(b) storage of those documents;

(d) transfer of those documents to—

(i) the returning officer;

(ii) the registration officer.

(7) The documents are—

(a) a postal voting document that is rejected;

(b) a postal voting document that—

(i) is brought into a polling station or into the offices of the returning officer so that it may be handed in to a person, but

(ii) is left behind there (without being handed in).

(8) Provision requiring prescribed information about postal voting documents that are handed in, or about the documents mentioned in sub-paragraph (7), to be supplied to—

(a) the returning officer;

(b) the registration officer.

(9) Provision about the notification of the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (10) where a postal ballot paper is—

(a) rejected, or

(b) left behind as mentioned in sub-paragraph (7)(b).

(10) The persons are—

(a) the person whose ballot paper it is;

(b) where that person is a proxy—

(i) that person, and

(ii) the elector for whom the person voted as proxy on that paper.

(11) Provision as to the meaning of any reference in the regulations to—

(a) a person seeking to hand in a postal voting document;

(b) a postal voting document being handed in.

(12) In this paragraph—

“postal voting document” means a postal ballot paper, postal voting statement or other document that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a relevant election;

“rejected” means rejected in accordance with regulations made by virtue of this paragraph;

“relevant election” means—a parliamentary election in England and Wales or Scotland, ora local government election in England;

“relevant officer” means—where a postal voting document is handed in at a polling station—the person presiding at the polling station, ora clerk at the polling station;where a postal voting document is handed in to the returning officer—that officer, ora person acting under the authority of that officer.

12ZB

(1) Where regulations under rule 45(2)(a) in Schedule 1 provide that a postal voting document may be returned by hand to the returning officer, provision within this paragraph.

(2) Provision—

(a) requiring a person who seeks to hand in a postal voting document to complete a form containing prescribed information,

(b) requiring the returning officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person who fails to provide all the prescribed information on such a form, and

(3) Provision requiring the returning officer—

(a) to reject all postal voting documents handed in together by a person where the returning officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the documents are handed in on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors;

(b) to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person, or all postal voting documents handed in together by a person, on a particular occasion, where the returning officer has reasonable cause to suspect that, taking that document or those documents together with any postal voting documents handed in by the person on any previous occasion (disregarding any that were rejected), the person has handed in postal voting documents on behalf of more than the prescribed number of electors.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3)—

(a) references to postal voting documents handed in by a person are to postal voting documents all relating to the same election, but do not include references to a postal voting document issued to that person;

(b) “electors” means persons who are electors in relation to the election to which the postal voting documents handed in by the person relate.

(5) Provision authorising the returning officer to reject a postal voting document handed in by a person where the returning officer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that, in handing in the document, the person commits an offence under section 112A (offences relating to handling of postal voting documents).

(6) Provision as to the arrangements to be made in respect of the documents mentioned in sub-paragraph (7), including provision about—

(a) the procedure to be followed in respect of those documents;

(b) storage of those documents;

(7) The documents are—

(a) a postal voting document that is rejected;

(b) a postal voting document that—

(i) is brought into the offices of the returning officer so that it may be handed in to a person, but

(ii) is left behind there (without being handed in).

(8) Provision about the notification of the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph (9) where a postal ballot paper is—

(a) rejected, or

(b) left behind as mentioned in sub-paragraph (7)(b).

(9) The persons are—

(a) the person whose ballot paper it is;

(b) where that person is a proxy—

(i) that person, and

(ii) the elector for whom the person voted as proxy on that paper.

(10) Provision as to the meaning of any reference in the regulations to—

(a) a person seeking to hand in a postal voting document;

(b) a postal voting document being handed in.

(11) In this paragraph—

“postal voting document” means a postal ballot paper, declaration of identity, or other document that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a parliamentary election in Northern Ireland;

“rejected” means rejected in accordance with regulations made by virtue of this paragraph.

Undue influence

114A

(1) A person is guilty of a corrupt practice if the person is guilty of undue influence.

(2) A person (“P”) is guilty of undue influence if P carries out an activity falling within subsection (4) for the purpose of—

(a) inducing or compelling a person to vote in a particular way or to refrain from voting, or

(b) otherwise impeding or preventing the free exercise of the franchise of an elector or of a proxy for an elector.

(3) A person (“P”) is also guilty of undue influence if P carries out an activity falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of subsection (4) on account of—

(a) a person having voted in a particular way or refrained from voting, or

(b) P assuming a person to have voted in a particular way or to have refrained from voting.

(4) The following activities fall within this subsection—

(a) using or threatening to use violence against a person;

(b) damaging or destroying, or threatening to damage or destroy, a person’s property;

(d) causing or threatening to cause financial loss to a person;

(e) causing spiritual injury to, or placing undue spiritual pressure on, a person;

(f) doing any other act designed to intimidate a person;

(g) doing any act designed to deceive a person in relation to the administration of an election.

(5) For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3) an activity is carried out by a person (“P”) if it is carried out—

(a) by P,

(b) by P jointly with one or more other persons, or

(6) In subsection (4)(f) and (g) “act” includes an omission (and references to the doing of an act are to be read accordingly).

(7) This section does not have effect in relation to an election in Scotland ... under the local government Act.

Meaning of “qualifying EU citizen”

203A

(1) In this Act “qualifying EU citizen” means a person who—

(a) is a citizen of a country for the time being listed in Schedule 6A, and

(b) either—

(i) does not require leave under the Immigration Act 1971 to enter or remain in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands, or

(ii) does require such leave but for the time being has (or is, by virtue of any enactment, to be treated as having) any description of such leave.

(2) The Secretary of State must by regulations add a country to the list in Schedule 6A where—

(a) the country is a qualifying country,

(b) the United Kingdom and the country intend to become parties to a relevant treaty, and

(c) section 20 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (treaties to be laid before Parliament before ratification) applies in relation to the relevant treaty and the requirements of that section have been met such that the relevant treaty may be ratified.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations remove a country from the list in Schedule 6A where the country ceases to be a party to a relevant treaty to which the United Kingdom is also a party.

(4) The Secretary of State must, as soon as reasonably practicable after regulations are made under subsection (2) or (3), give notice of that fact to—

(a) registration officers in England,

(b) registration officers for elections of police and crime commissioners for police areas in Wales,

(d) the Electoral Commission.

(5) In this section—

“the Islands” means the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man;

“qualifying country” means a country—that was a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland,that was part of a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland, orthat is formed entirely of two or more former countries, both or all of which were member States immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland;

“ratification”, in relation to a treaty, is to be construed in accordance with section 25(3) of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010;

“relevant treaty” means a treaty containing provision relating to eligibility to vote and to stand as a candidate at elections;

“treaty” has the same meaning as in Part 2 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (see section 25 of that Act).

Meaning of “EU citizen with retained rights”

203B

(1) In this Act “EU citizen with retained rights” means a person who—

(a) is a citizen of a country falling within subsection (8),

(b) was a citizen of the Union immediately before IP completion day,

(d) falls within any of subsections (2) to (4), and

(e) is not a qualifying EU citizen.

(2) A person falls within this subsection if the person—

(a) has UK or Islands leave granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, and

(b) has such leave otherwise than in accordance with provision in residence scheme immigration rules for joining family members.

(3) A person falls within this subsection if—

(a) the person has UK or Islands leave but does not fall within subsection (2), and

(b) the requirements of subsection (5) are met in relation to the person.

(4) A person falls within this subsection if—

(a) the person does not require UK or Islands leave,

(b) the person is resident in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands, and

(5) The requirements referred to in subsections (3)(b) and (4)(c) are that—

(a) at all times since the relevant date, the person has either had UK or Islands leave or not required UK or Islands leave, and

(b) the person was resident in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands at all times after the relevant date when the person did not require UK or Islands leave.

(6) In determining whether the requirement in subsection (5)(a) is met in relation to a person, any period to which subsection (7) applies is to be disregarded if the person was resident in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands during the period.

(7) This subsection applies to any period after the relevant date during which the person required UK or Islands leave but did not have it, if at the end of the period the person was granted UK or Islands leave—

(a) in pursuance of an application made before the end of the relevant date, or

(b) in pursuance of an application made after the relevant date, where the leave was granted—

(i) by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, and

(ii) otherwise than in accordance with provision in such rules for joining family members.

(8) A country falls within this subsection where the country—

(a) was a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland,

(b) was part of a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland, or

(c) is formed of two or more former countries, at least one of which was a member State immediately before IP completion day, other than the Republic of Ireland.

(9) In this section a reference to a person having UK or Islands leave includes a reference to a person who is, by virtue of any enactment, to be treated as having such leave.

(10) In this section—

“the 1971 Act” means the Immigration Act 1971;

“the Islands” means the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man;

“the relevant date” means 30 June 2021;

“immigration rules” has the same meaning as in the 1971 Act;

“residence scheme immigration rules” means—residence scheme immigration rules within the meaning of Part 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (see section 17(1) of that Act),Appendix EU to the Guernsey immigration rules,Appendix EU to the Isle of Man immigration rules, orAppendix EU(J) to the Jersey immigration rules;

“UK or Islands leave” means leave under the 1971 Act to enter or remain in the United Kingdom or any of the Islands.

(11) In this section—

“Guernsey immigration rules” means the rules made in respect of the Bailiwick of Guernsey under sections 1(4) and 3(2) of the 1971 Act as extended to that Bailiwick;

“Isle of Man immigration rules” means the rules made in respect of the Isle of Man under section 3(2) of the 1971 Act as extended to the Isle of Man;

“Jersey immigration rules” means the rules contained in the directions made in respect of the Bailiwick of Jersey under sections 1(4A) and 3(2) of the 1971 Act as extended to that Bailiwick.

(12) References in this section to provision in residence scheme immigration rules for joining family members are references to—

(a) paragraph EU11A or EU14A of Appendix EU to the immigration rules or provision replacing either of those paragraphs, or

(b) provision corresponding to provision within paragraph (a) in the Guernsey immigration rules, the Isle of Man immigration rules or the Jersey immigration rules.

Schedule 6A

1

Luxembourg.

2

Poland.

3

Portugal.

4

Spain.

112A

(1) A person who is a political campaigner in respect of a relevant election commits an offence if the person handles a postal voting document that has been issued to another person for use in that election.

(2) But a person who handles a postal voting document for use in a relevant election does not commit the offence if—

(a) the person is responsible for, or assists with, the conduct of that election (for example as a returning officer or a person working under the direction of a returning officer),

(b) the person is engaged in the business of a postal operator, or

(c) the person is employed or engaged in a role the duties of which include the handling of postal packets on behalf of members of an organisation or the occupants of a communal building,

and the handling is consistent with the person’s duties in that capacity.

(3) Nor does a person commit the offence if the person—

(a) is the other person’s spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild, or

(b) provides regular care for, or is employed or engaged by an organisation which provides care for, the other person.

(4) It is a defence for a person charged with the offence to show that the person did not dishonestly handle the postal voting document for the purpose of promoting a particular outcome at a relevant election.

(5) Where sufficient evidence is adduced to raise an issue with respect to the defence under subsection (4), the court must assume that the defence is satisfied unless the prosecution proves beyond reasonable doubt that it is not.

(6) A person is guilty of a corrupt practice if the person—

(a) commits the offence under subsection (1), or

(b) aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of that offence.

(7) For the purposes of this section a person is a political campaigner in respect of a relevant election if any of the following paragraphs applies—

(a) the person is a candidate at the election;

(b) the person is an election agent of a candidate at the election;

(d) the person is employed or engaged by a person who is a candidate at the election for the purposes of that person’s activities as a candidate;

(e) the person is a member of a registered political party and carries on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election;

(f) the person is employed or engaged by a registered political party in connection with the party’s political activities;

(g) the person is employed or engaged by a person within any of paragraphs (a) to (f) to carry on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election;

(h) the person is employed or engaged by a person within paragraph (g) to carry on an activity designed to promote a particular outcome at the election.

(8) In this section—

“postal operator” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 (see section 27(3) to (5) of that Act);

“postal voting document” means a postal ballot paper, postal voting statement, declaration of identity or envelope that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a relevant election;

“relevant election” means—a parliamentary election, ora local government election in England.

(9) For the purposes of this section, an envelope—

(a) that is not a postal voting document, but

(b) that contains a postal ballot paper, postal voting statement or declaration of identity that has been issued to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to vote by post at a relevant election,

is to be treated as if it were a postal voting document that has been issued to the person for use in the election.

(10) In this section, any reference to a person who is “engaged” by another person, or to a person who provides care for another person, includes a reference to a person who is engaged or provides care otherwise than for payment or promise of payment.

(11) For the purposes of subsection (3)(a), two people living together as if they were a married couple or civil partners are treated as if they were spouses or civil partners of each other.

Destruction of date of birth lists: Northern Ireland

53B

The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must destroy the lists provided to the polling station under rule 29(3)(f)—

(a) on the next working day following the 21st day after the Chief Electoral Officer has returned the name of the member elected, or

(b) if an election petition questioning the election or return is presented before that day, on the next working day following the conclusion of proceedings on the petition or on appeal from such proceedings.

13A

... The protection of persons or property, to the extent that the expenses are reasonably incurred and are reasonably attributable to the protection of persons or property.

62C

(1) A person who—

(a) is with another person at a polling booth, and

(b) intends to influence that other person to vote in a particular way or to refrain from voting,

commits an offence.

(2) A person who—

(a) is near a polling booth when another person is at that booth, and

(b) intends to influence that other person to vote in a particular way or to refrain from voting,

commits an offence.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a “polling booth” is a compartment in a polling station in which voters can mark votes screened from observation;

(b) assisting a person with voting, in accordance with rule 39 of Schedule 1 or any other legislation, is not influencing that person to vote in a particular way or to refrain from voting;

(4) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—

(a) in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, to a fine or to both;

(b) in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both.

(5) This section does not have effect in relation to an election in Scotland or Wales under the local government Act.

5

Denmark

7B

In respect of a local government election in Wales, a matter in respect of which expenses are paid or reimbursed in accordance with the financial assistance scheme established by the Welsh Elections Financial Assistance Scheme (Disabled Candidates) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/897 (W. 157)) (to the extent that the matter does not fall within paragraph 7A).

43A

(1) Despite section 43(1), if the convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland considers it necessary or appropriate for any reason to do so, the convener may fix another day for the holding of the poll at the ordinary local election which is not more than 4 weeks later than the first Thursday in May in the year in which the election is to be held.

(2) Before fixing a day under subsection (1), the convener must consult—

(a) the Electoral Commission,

(b) the Scottish Ministers, and

(3) As soon as reasonably practicable after fixing a day under subsection (1), the convener must publish, in such manner as the convener considers appropriate, a statement setting out—

(a) the day fixed for the holding of the poll, and

(b) the reasons for the exercise of the power.

(4) Where a day for the holding of the poll at the ordinary local election is specified by order under section 43(1)(b), (1AB) or (1B), subsection (1) applies as if the reference to the first Thursday in May were a reference to the day specified in the order.

(5) In this section and section 43B, “ordinary local election” has the meaning given in section 43(1C).

43B

(1) Despite section 43(1), if the returning officer for a local government area considers it necessary or appropriate for any reason to do so, the returning officer may fix another day for the holding of the poll at the ordinary local election for the election of councillors of that area which is not more than 4 weeks later than the first Thursday in May in the year in which the election is to be held.

(2) Before fixing a day under subsection (1), the returning officer must consult—

(a) the Secretary of State,

(b) the Electoral Commission, and

(3) As soon as reasonably practicable after fixing a day under subsection (1), the returning officer must publish, in such manner as the returning officer considers appropriate, a statement setting out—

(a) the day fixed for the holding of the poll, and

(b) the reasons for the exercise of the power.

(4) Where a day for the holding of the poll at the ordinary local election is—

(a) specified by order under section 43(1)(b), (1AB) or (1B), or

(b) fixed by the convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland under section 43A(1),

subsection (1) applies as if the reference to the first Thursday in May were a reference to the day specified in the order or (as the case may be) the day fixed by the convener.

5ZB

(1) Provision about the use of the UK digital service in relation to relevant devolved absent voting applications.

(2) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision—

(a) conferring functions on a Minister of the Crown to enable relevant devolved absent voting applications to be submitted through the UK digital service;

(b) where such applications are, or are to be, so submitted—

(i) authorising a Minister of the Crown, in prescribed circumstances, to complete applications in part for people;

(ii) about how any requirement for an applicant to provide a signature in connection with an application may be satisfied;

(d) about the disclosure of prescribed information or evidence in connection with a relevant devolved absent voting application in relation to which the UK digital service is, or is to be, used.

(3) Except as provided by sub-paragraph (4), the disclosure or other processing of information in accordance with provision made under this paragraph does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the person processing the information;

(b) any other restriction on the processing of information (however imposed).

(4) Provision made under this paragraph does not require or authorise the disclosure or other processing of personal data that would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether particular processing of data would do so, take into account the duty imposed or the powers conferred by such provision).

(5) Regulations under this paragraph may, in connection with provision under sub-paragraph (1), include transitional provision under section 201(3) which makes provision for, or in connection with, the expiry of some or all devolved election proxy appointments.

(6) In this paragraph—

“the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3(9) of that Act);

“devolved election proxy appointment” means the appointment of a person as a proxy to vote for another person at local government elections in Wales or Scotland, where the appointment was made before a date specified in the regulations on an application under paragraph 6(7) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000;

“personal data” and “processing” have the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3(2) and (4) of that Act);

“relevant devolved absent voting application” means an application (including a partially completed application) under paragraph 3, 4 or 6 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 in relation to a local government election, or local government elections, in Scotland or Wales;

“the UK digital service” has the meaning given by paragraph 3ZA(7), and a reference to a relevant devolved absent voting application submitted through the UK digital service is a reference to such an application submitted using that service as an intermediary.

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