The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

• (3) Form 9 (official postal poll card) and Form 11 (official proxy postal poll card) in the mayoral election rules apply in respect of a relevant local authority mayoral election as if on the back of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies in respect of an election in England for the return of an elected mayor as defined by section 9H(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 for which—

• (a) the notice of election is published in accordance with rule 5 of the mayoral election rules on or after 31st January 2024, and

• (b) the date of poll stated in that notice is on or before 1st May 2024.

• (5) Form 9 (official postal poll card) and Form 11 (official proxy postal poll card) in the mayoral election rules apply as if, on the back of the form, for the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

(in the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023) vote as a proxy on behalf of more than four electors, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic electors (a domestic elector is one who is not an overseas or service elector)

PART 4 — Referendums under Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000

Interpretation

10

In this Part—

• “2012 Regulations” means the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012;

• “ongoing referendum” means a relevant referendum for which the date of poll as specified in the notice of referendum is on or after 31st January 2024;

• “referendum” means a referendum under Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000[^f00065];

• “referendum rules” means the rules set out in Schedules 3 and 5 to the 2012 Regulations;

• “relevant referendum” means a referendum for which the notice of referendum is published in accordance with rule 5 of the referendum rules on or before 30th January 2024.

Questions for proxies at certain referendums

11

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 15(3) and (7) do not apply in respect of an ongoing referendum.

• (2) Rule 24 of Schedule 3 and rule 26 of Schedule 5 to the 2012 Regulations (questions to be put to voters and proxies) apply in respect of a relevant referendum subject to the modifications in sub-paragraph (3).

• (3) The rule applies as if—

• (a) in the table following paragraph (1)—

• (i) in entry 2 (proxy), in the column headed “Question”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were substituted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of CD before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (ii) in entry 3 (proxy for a voter with an anonymous entry), in the column headed “Question”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of the person whose number on the register of electors is (read out the number) before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (b) in paragraph (2), after “(3)(a), (b)” there were inserted “, (ba)”.

Disapplication of amendments to the modifications of section 61 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in respect of an ongoing referendum

12

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 15(5)(a)(ii) and (iii) to Table 1 (modifications to the Representation of the People Act 1983) in Schedule 4 to the 2012 Regulations do not apply in respect of a person voting by virtue of a proxy appointment at an ongoing referendum.

• (2) In sub-paragraph (1), “proxy appointment” has the same meaning as in paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 4 to EA 2022.

Poll card forms for certain referendums

13

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 15(4) and (8) do not apply in respect of an ongoing referendum.

• (2) The form of the Official Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting in person) and the Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person) in the referendum rules apply in respect of a relevant referendum as if, on the front of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this referendum” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (3) The form of the Official Postal Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting by post) and the Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post) in the referendum rules apply in respect of a relevant referendum as if, on the back of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at the same referendum” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies in respect of a referendum for which—

• (a) the notice of referendum is published in accordance with rule 5 of the referendum rules on or after 31st January 2024, and

• (b) the date of poll stated in that notice is on or before 1st May 2024.

• (5) The form of the Official Postal Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting by post) and the Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post) in the referendum rules apply as if, on the back of the form, for the text that begins “vote as a proxy at the same referendum” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

(in the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023) vote as a proxy on behalf of more than four voters, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic voters (a domestic voter is one who is not an overseas or service voter)

PART 5 — Referendums under Chapter 4ZA of Part 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992

Interpretation

14

In this Part—

• “2012 Regulations” means the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012;

• “ongoing referendum” means a relevant referendum for which the date of poll as specified in the notice of referendum is on or after 31st January 2024;

• “referendum” means a referendum under Chapter 4ZA of Part 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992[^f00066];

• “referendum rules” means the rules set out in Schedules 3 and 5 to the 2012 Regulations;

• “relevant referendum” means a referendum for which the notice of referendum is published in accordance with rule 5 of the referendum rules on or before 30th January 2024.

Questions for proxies at certain referendums

15

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 16(3) and (7) do not apply in respect of an ongoing referendum.

• (2) Rule 24 of Schedule 3 and rule 26 of Schedule 5 to the 2012 Regulations (questions to be put to voters and proxies) apply in respect of a relevant referendum subject to the modifications in sub-paragraph (3).

• (3) The rule applies as if—

• (a) in the table following paragraph (1)—

• (i) in entry 2 (proxy), in the column headed “Questions”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were substituted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of CD before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (ii) in entry 3 (proxy for a voter with an anonymous entry), in the column headed “Questions”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of the person whose number on the register of electors is (read out the number) before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (b) in paragraph (2), after “(3)(a), (b)” there were inserted “, (ba)”.

Disapplication of amendments to the modifications of section 61 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in respect of an ongoing referendum

16

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 16(5)(a)(ii) and (iii) to Table 1 (modifications to the Representation of the People Act 1983) in Schedule 4 to the 2012 Regulations do not apply in respect of a person voting by virtue of a proxy appointment at an ongoing referendum.

• (2) In sub-paragraph (1), “proxy appointment” has the same meaning as in paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 4 to EA 2022.

Poll card forms for certain referendums

17

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 16(4) and (8) do not apply in respect of an ongoing referendum.

• (2) The Official Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting in person) and the Official Proxy Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person) in the referendum rules apply in respect of a relevant referendum as if, on the front of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this referendum” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (3) The form of the Official Postal Poll Card (to be sent to a voter voting by post) and the Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post) in the referendum rules apply in respect of a relevant referendum as if, on the back of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at the same referendum” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies in respect of a referendum for which—

• (a) the notice of referendum is published in accordance with rule 5 of the referendum rules on or after 31st January 2024, and

• (b) the date of poll stated in that notice is on or before 1st May 2024.

• (5) The form of the Official Postal Poll Card (to be send to a voter voting by post) and the Official Proxy Postal Poll Card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post) in the referendum rules apply as if, on the back of the form, for the text that begins “vote as a proxy at the same referendum” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

(in the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023) vote as a proxy on behalf of more than four voters, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic voters (a domestic voter is one who is not an overseas or service voter)

PART 6 — Police and Crime Commissioner elections: general

Interpretation

18

In this Part—

• “2012 Order” means the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012;

• “ongoing PCC election” means a relevant PCC election for which the date of poll as specified in the notice of election is on or after 31st January 2024;

• “PCC election” has the meaning given in article 2(1) of the 2012 Order;

• “relevant PCC election” means a PCC election for which the notice of election is published in accordance with rule 4 of Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order on or before 30th January 2024;

• “transitional period” means the period— beginning with 31st October 2023, and ending with— for the purposes of an ongoing PCC election, the day after the day of poll for that election; for all other purposes, 31st January 2024.

Proxy voting offences and restrictions for certain proxy appointments

19

• (1) Article 18(4) of, and paragraph 6(5) of Schedule 2 to, the 2012 Order do not apply in respect of a post-commencement proxy appointment during the transitional period.

• (2) The amendments made by regulation 17(3)(b) and (5)(c) do not apply in respect of a person voting by virtue of a proxy appointment at an ongoing PCC election.

• (3) In this paragraph—

• “post-commencement proxy appointment” means a proxy appointment as a result of an application made on or after 31st October 2023;

• “proxy appointment” means— an appointment resulting from an application under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 by which, by virtue of paragraphs 2 and 4(3) of Schedule 2 to the 2012 Order, a person is entitled to vote at a PCC election by proxy; an appointment resulting from an application under paragraph 3(2), (3) or (5)(b) of Schedule 2 to the 2012 Order.

Saving for certain postal and proxy voting entitlements at ongoing PCC elections in Wales

20

The amendments made by regulation 17(5)(a) , (b) and (ca), other than regulation 17(5)(b)(i)(bb), do not apply in respect of an ongoing PCC election in Wales.

Questions for proxies at certain PCC elections

21

• (1) The amendments made by regulations 17(7) and 21(a) do not apply to an ongoing PCC election.

• (2) Sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) apply in respect of a relevant PCC election.

• (3) Rule 37 of Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order applies as if in the Table after paragraph (1)—

• (a) in entry 2 (proxies), in the column headed “Questions”—

• (i) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of CD before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (ii) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (b) in entry 3 (proxy for an elector with an anonymous entry), in the column headed “Questions”—

• (i) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of the person whose number on the register of electors is (read out the number) before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (ii) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”.

• (4) Schedule 1 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2021 applies as if for Part 2 there were substituted Part 2 as set out in Part 7 of this Schedule.

Proxy paper form for certain proxy appointments

22

• (1) This paragraph applies where a proxy appointment is made during the period—

• (a) beginning with 31st October 2023, and

• (b) ending with 5th March 2024.

• (2) Form 1 (proxy paper), as inserted into Part 4 of Schedule 2 to the 2012 Order by regulation 17(5)(l) applies as if before “on behalf of more than four electors” there were inserted “(in relation to an election for which the poll is on or after 5th March 2024)”.

• (3) Form 1, as inserted into Schedule 3 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2021 by regulation 21(b) applies as if—

• (a) before “on behalf of more than four electors” there were inserted “(in relation to an election for which the poll is on or after 5th March 2024)”;

• (b) before “an ran mwy na phedwar etholwr” there were inserted “(mewn perthynas ag etholiad y mae’r dyddiad pleidleisio ar ei gyfer ar neu ar ôl 5 Mawrth 2024)”.

• (4) In this paragraph, “proxy appointment” means a proxy appointment under paragraph 3(2), (3) or (5)(b) of Schedule 2 to the 2012 Order.

Poll card forms for certain PCC elections

23

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 17(8) and regulation 21(b), so far as substituting forms 11 and 13, do not apply in respect of an ongoing PCC election.

• (2) Form 11 (official poll card) and form 13 (official proxy poll card) in rule 70 of Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order apply in respect of a relevant PCC election as if, on the front of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (3) Form 12 (official postal poll card) and form 14 (official postal proxy poll card) in rule 70 of Schedule 3 to the 2012 Order apply in respect of a relevant PCC election as if, on the back of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (4) Form 11 (official poll card) and form 13 (official proxy poll card) in Schedule 3 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2021 apply in respect of a relevant PCC election as if, on the front of the form—

• (a) before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”;

• (b) before the text that begins “I bleidleisio fel dirprwy yn yr etholiad” there were inserted “(yn achos dirprwy a benodwyd cyn 31 Hydref 2023)”.

• (5) Form 12 (official postal poll card) and form 14 (official postal proxy poll card) in in Schedule 3 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2021 apply in respect of a relevant PCC election as if, on the back of the form—

• (a) before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”;

• (b) before the text that begins “pleidleisio fel dirprwy i fwy na” there were inserted “(yn achos dirprwy a benodwyd cyn 31 Hydref 2023)”.

Termination of certain proxy appointments

24

• (1) This paragraph applies where a proxy appointment is in force immediately before 31st January 2024 as the result of an application made before 31st October 2023.

• (2) The proxy appointment ceases to have effect on 31st January 2024.

• (3) The registration officer must, before 31st January 2024, send the person who is entitled to vote by proxy by means of the proxy appointment—

• (a) a notice informing the person that the appointment ceases to have effect as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b) on 31st January 2024, and

• (b) information about how to make a fresh application to vote by proxy.

• (4) As soon as practicable after 31st January 2024, the registration officer must alter the record kept under paragraph 3(8) of Schedule 2 to the 2012 Order as necessary to reflect the change to the proxy appointment resulting from sub-paragraph (2).

• (5) In this paragraph, “proxy appointment” means a proxy appointment under paragraph 3(2), (3) or (5)(b) of Schedule 2 to the 2012 Order.

Termination of applications for certain proxy appointments

25

• (1) An application for a proxy appointment that is made before, but not determined by, 31st October 2023 is to be treated as not having been made.

• (2) The registration officer must, as soon as practicable, send each person whose application is affected by sub-paragraph (1) information about how to make a fresh application to vote by proxy.

• (3) In sub-paragraph (1), “proxy appointment” means a proxy appointment under paragraph 3(2), (3) or (5)(b) of Schedule 2 to the 2012 Order.

Saving for certain proxy appointments at ongoing PCC elections

26

• (1) This paragraph applies where—

• (a) a proxy appointment ceases to have effect in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 4 to EA 2022 or paragraph 24 of this Schedule, and

• (b) ignoring the effect of that paragraph, a person would have been entitled by virtue of that appointment to vote as proxy at an ongoing PCC election.

• (2) Despite the effect of paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 4 to EA 2022 or paragraph 22(2) of this Schedule, the proxy appointment continues to have effect for the purposes of the ongoing PCC election.

• (3) In this paragraph, “proxy appointment” has the meaning given in paragraph 19(3).

PART 7 — Police and Crime Commissioner Elections: Welsh form of statutory questions for elections held on or before 30th January 2024

PART 8 — Referendums under Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Interpretation

27

In this Part—

• “2012 Regulations” means the Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012;

• “ongoing referendum” means a relevant referendum for which the date of poll as specified in the notice of referendum is on or after 31st January 2024;

• “referendum” means a referendum under Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

• “referendum rules” means the rules set out in Schedules 3 and 5 to the 2012 Regulations;

• “relevant referendum” means a referendum for which the notice of referendum is published in accordance with rule 5 of the referendum rules on or before 30th January 2024.

Questions for proxies at certain referendums

28

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 18(3) and (7) do not apply in respect of an ongoing referendum.

• (2) Rule 25 of Schedule 3 and rule 25 of Schedule 5 to the 2012 Regulations apply in respect of a relevant referendum subject to the modifications in sub-paragraph (3).

• (3) The rule applies as if—

• (a) in the table following paragraph (1)—

• (i) in entry 2 (proxy), in the column headed “Question”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were substituted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of CD before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (ii) in entry 3 (proxy for a voter with an anonymous entry), in the column headed “Question”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of the person whose number on the register of electors is (read out the number) before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (b) in paragraph (2), after “(3)(a), (b)” there were inserted “, (ba)”.

Disapplication of amendments to the modifications of section 61 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 in respect of an ongoing referendum

29

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 18(5)(a)(ii) and (iii) to Table 1 (modifications to the Representation of the People Act 1983) in Schedule 4 to the 2012 Regulations do not apply in respect of a person voting by virtue of a proxy appointment at an ongoing referendum.

• (2) In sub-paragraph (1), “proxy appointment” has the same meaning as in paragraph 8(8) of Schedule 4 to EA 2022.

Poll card forms for certain referendum

30

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 18(4) and (8) do not apply in respect of an ongoing referendum.

• (2) The following apply in respect of a relevant referendum subject to the modification in sub-paragraph (3)—

• (a) form 7 (official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)) and form 9 (official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)) in Schedule 3 to the 2012 Regulations;

• (b) form 8 (official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)) and form 10 (official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)) in Schedule 5 to the 2012 Regulations.

• (3) The form applies as if, on the front of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this referendum” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (4) The following apply in respect of a relevant referendum subject to the modification in sub-paragraph (5)—

• (a) form 8 (official postal poll card (to be sent to a voter voting by post)) and form 10 (official proxy postal poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post) in Schedule 3 to the 2012 Regulations;

• (b) form 9 (official postal poll card (to be sent to a voter voting by post)) and form 11 (official proxy postal poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post) in Schedule 5 to the 2012 Regulations;.

• (5) The form applies as if, on the back of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at the same referendum” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (6) The following apply subject to the modification in sub-paragraph (7) in respect of areferendum for which the notice of referendum is published in accordance with rule 5 of the referendum rules on or after 31st January 2024 and the date of poll stated in that notice is on or before 1st May 2024—

• (a) form 8 (official postal poll card (to be sent to a voter voting by post)) and form 10 (official proxy postal poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post)) in Schedule 3 to the 2012 Regulations;

• (b) form 9 (official postal poll card (to be sent to a voter voting by post)) and form 11 (official proxy postal poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post)) in Schedule 5 to the 2012 Regulations.

• (7) The form applies as if, on the back of the form, for the text that begins “vote as a proxy at the same referendum” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

(in the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023) vote as a proxy on behalf of more than four voters, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic voters (a domestic voter is one who is not an overseas or service voter)

PART 9 — Recall petitions

Interpretation

31

In this Part—

• “2016 Regulations” means the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016;

• “ongoing recall petition” means a relevant recall petition for which at least part of the signing period is on or after 31st January 2024;

• “recall petition” has the meaning given in section 1(2) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015;

• “relevant recall petition” means a recall petition for which the Speaker’s notice is given in accordance with section 5(1) and (5)(a) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 on or before 30th January 2024;

• “signing period” has the meaning given by section 9(2) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015;

• “transitional period” means the period— beginning with 31st October 2023, and ending with— for the purposes of an ongoing recall petition, the day after the last day of the signing period for that petition; for all other purposes, 31st January 2024.

Questions for proxies at certain recall petitions

32

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 19(4) do not apply to an ongoing recall petition.

• (2) Regulation 25 of the 2016 Regulations applies in respect of a relevant recall petition as if in the Table after paragraph (1)—

• (a) in entry 2 (proxies), in the column headed “Questions”—

• (i) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of CD before 31st October 2023?”

• (ii) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (b) in entry 3 (proxy for an elector with an anonymous entry), in the column headed “Questions”—

• (i) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of the person whose number on the register of electors is (read out the number) before 31st October 2023?”

• (ii) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”.

Limitation of certain pre-commencement postal signing entitlements

33

• (1) This paragraph applies where, immediately before 31st October 2023, a person—

• (a) has a relevant postal vote entitlement lasting for—

• (i) an indefinite period, or

• (ii) a period that would expire after 31st January 2026, and

• (b) is registered as an elector otherwise than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration.

• (2) A “relevant postal signing entitlement” means an entitlement to sign by post at recall petitions in England, Wales or Scotland resulting from the grant of an application under regulation 51(1) or (7) or 58(5) of the 2016 Regulations.

• (3) The person’s relevant signing entitlement ends on 31st January 2026 (unless it ends sooner).

• (4) As soon as practicable after 31st October 2023, the registration officer must alter the record kept under regulation 51(4) or 58(7) of the 2016 Regulations (as the case may be) to reflect any change resulting from sub-paragraph (3) in the period for which the person’s relevant postal signing entitlement lasts.

• (5) The registration officer must, before 31st January 2026, send the person—

• (a) a notice informing the person of the date on which the person’s relevant postal signing entitlement is to end, and

• (b) information about how to make a fresh application to sign recall petitions by post (as elector or, as the case may be, as proxy).

• (6) In this paragraph, “overseas elector’s declaration” has the meaning given in regulation 3(1) of the 2016 Regulations.

Proxy signing offences and restrictions for certain proxy appointments

34

• (1) Regulations 57(5) and 119(4) of the 2016 Regulations do not apply in respect of a post-commencement proxy appointment during the transitional period.

• (2) The amendments made by regulation 19(7)(b) and (16)(b) do not apply in respect of a person voting by virtue of a proxy appointment at an ongoing recall petition.

• (3) In this paragraph—

• “post-commencement proxy appointment” means a proxy appointment as a result of an application made on or after 31st October 2023;

• “proxy appointment” means— an appointment resulting from an application under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 or section 6(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1985[^f00067] by which, by virtue of regulation 50(2) or (3) of the 2016 Regulations a person is entitled to sign a recall petition by proxy; an appointment resulting from an application under regulation 51(2) or (6), 52(1) or (7), 53(2), (3) or (4)(b) or 54(1) or (4)(b) of the 2016 Regulations.

Termination of certain proxy appointments

35

• (1) This paragraph applies where—

• (a) a proxy appointment is in force immediately before 31st January 2024 as the result of an application made before 31st October 2023, and

• (b) the appointment has effect immediately before 31st January 2024 in relation to recall petitions or a particular recall petition.

• (2) On 31st January 2024, the proxy appointment ceases to have effect as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b).

• (3) The registration officer must, before 31st January 2024, send the person who is entitled to sign by proxy by means of the proxy appointment—

• (a) a notice informing the person that the appointment ceases to have effect as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b) on 31st January 2024, and

• (b) information about how to make a fresh application to sign by proxy.

• (4) As soon as practicable after 31st January 2024, the registration officer must alter the relevant absent signing records as necessary to reflect the change to the proxy appointment resulting from sub-paragraph (2).

• (5) In sub-paragraph (4), “the relevant absent signing records” means the records kept under regulations 51(4), 52(5), 55, 56 and 59 of the 2016 Regulations.

• (6) In this paragraph, “proxy appointment” means an appointment resulting from an application under regulation 51(2) or (6) or 52(1) or (7) of the 2016 Regulations.

Termination of applications for certain proxy appointments

36

• (1) An application for a proxy appointment under regulation 51(2) or (6), 52(1) or (7), 53(2), (3) or (4)(b) or 54(1) or (4)(b) of the 2016 Regulations that is made before, but not determined by, 31st October 2023 is to be treated as not having been made.

• (2) The registration officer must, as soon as practicable, send each person whose application is affected by sub-paragraph (1) information about how to make a fresh application to sign by proxy.

Official petition notice forms for certain recall petitions

37

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 19(18), so far as they substitute forms D and F in Parts 1 and 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations, do not apply in respect of an ongoing recall petition.

• (2) Form D (official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition in person), form F (official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition in person) and form G (official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition by post) in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations apply in respect of a relevant recall petition as if, on the third page of the form, in the text that begins “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people”, for “Sign” there were substituted “(In the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023) sign”.

• (3) Form E (official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition by post) in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations applies in respect of a relevant recall petition as if, on the second page of the form, in the text that begins “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people”, for “Sign” there were substituted “(In the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023) sign”.

• (3A) Form E (official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition by post) in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations applies in respect of a recall petition to which sub-paragraph (8) applies as if, on the second page of the notice, for the text that begins with “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

In the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023, sign the petition as a proxy on behalf of more than four people, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic electors (a domestic elector is one who is not an overseas or service elector)

• (3B) Form G (official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition by post) in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations applies in respect of a recall petition to which sub-paragraph (8) applies as if, on the third page of the form, for the text that begins with “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

In the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023, sign the petition as a proxy on behalf of more than four people, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic electors (a domestic elector is one who is not an overseas or service elector)

• (4) Form D (official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition in person), form F (official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition in person) and form G (official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition by post) in Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations apply in respect of a relevant recall petition as if, on the final page of the form, in the text that begins “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people”, for “Sign” there were substituted “(In the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023) sign”.

• (5) Form E (official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition by post) in Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations applies in respect of a relevant recall petition as if, on the second page of the form, in the text that begins “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people”, for “Sign” there were substituted “(In the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023) sign”.

• (6) Form E (official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition by post) in Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations applies in respect of a recall petition to which sub-paragraph (8) applies as if, on the second page of the notice, for the text that begins with “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

In the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023, sign the petition as a proxy on behalf of more than four people, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic electors (a domestic elector is one who is not an overseas or service elector)

• (7) Form G (official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition by post) in Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations applies in respect of a recall petition to which sub-paragraph (8) applies as if, on the final page of the form, for the text that begins with “Sign the petition as a proxy for more than two people” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

In the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023, sign the petition as a proxy on behalf of more than four people, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic electors (a domestic elector is one who is not an overseas or service elector)

• (8) This sub-paragraph applies to a recall petition for which—

• (a) the Speaker’s notice is given in accordance with section 5(1) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 on or after 31st January 2024, and

• (b) the date for the beginning of the signing period for that petition is on or before 1st May 2024.

Proxy paper form for certain proxy appointments

38

• (1) This paragraph applies where a proxy appointment is made during the period—

• (a) beginning with 31st October 2023, and

• (b) ending with 25th March 2024.

• (2) Form J (proxy paper), as inserted into Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations by regulation 19(18)(a) applies as if in note 2, before “on behalf of more than four electors” there were inserted “(in relation to a petition for which the end of the signing period is on or after 25thMarch 2024)”.

• (3) Form J (proxy paper), as inserted into Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2016 Regulations by regulation 19(18)(b) applies as if before “on behalf of more than four electors” there were inserted “(at a petition for which the end of the signing period is on or after 25thMarch 2024)”.

• (4) In this paragraph, “proxy appointment” means an appointment resulting from an application under regulation 51(2) or (6), 52(1) or (7), 53(2), (3) or (4)(b) or 54(1) or (4)(b) of the 2016 Regulations.

Saving for certain proxy appointments at ongoing recall petitions

39

• (1) This paragraph applies where—

• (a) a proxy appointment ceases to have effect in accordance with paragraph 8 or 9 of Schedule 4 to EA 2022 or paragraph 35 of this Schedule, and

• (b) ignoring the effect of that paragraph, a person would have been entitled by virtue of that appointment to sign as proxy at an ongoing recall petition.

• (2) Despite the effect of paragraph 8(2) or 9(2) of Schedule 4 to EA 2022 or paragraph 35(2) of this Schedule, the proxy appointment continues to have effect for the purposes of the ongoing recall petition.

• (3) In this paragraph, “proxy appointment” has the meaning given in paragraph 34(3).

PART 10 — Combined authority mayoral elections

Interpretation of Part 10

40

In this Part—

• “mayoral election rules” means the rules set out in Schedules 1 and 3 to the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017;

• “ongoing combined authority mayoral election” means a relevant combined authority mayoral election for which the date of poll as specified in the notice of election is on or after 31st January 2024;

• “relevant combined authority mayoral election” means an election for the return of a mayor as provided for in an order made under Schedule 5B to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 for which the notice of election is published in accordance with rule 5 of the mayoral election rules on or before 30th January 2024.

Questions for proxies at certain combined authority mayoral elections

41

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 20(3) and (7) do not apply in respect of an ongoing combined authority mayoral election.

• (2) Rule 35 of the mayoral election rules applies in respect of a relevant combined authority mayoral election as if—

• (a) in the Table after paragraph (1)—

• (i) in entry 2 (proxies), in the column headed “Question”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were inserted—

(ba) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of CD before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (ii) in entry 3 (proxy for an elector with an anonymous entry), in the column headed “Question”—

• (aa) after question (b) there were inserted—

(c) “Were you appointed as proxy on behalf of the person whose number on the register of electors is (read out the number) before 31st October 2023?” [R]

• (bb) in question (c), at the beginning there were inserted “If the person answers question (ba) in the affirmative:”;

• (b) in paragraph (2), after “3(a), (b)” there were inserted “, (ba)”.

Poll card forms for certain combined authority mayoral elections

42

• (1) The amendments made by regulation 20(4) and (8) do not apply in respect of an ongoing combined authority mayoral election.

• (2) Form 8 (elector’s official poll card) and form 10 (official proxy poll card) in the mayoral elections rules apply in respect of a relevant combined authority mayoral election as if, on the front of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (3) Form 9 (official postal poll card) and Form 11 (official proxy postal poll card) in the mayoral election rules apply in respect of a relevant combined authority mayoral election as if on the back of the form, before the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” there were inserted “(in the case of a proxy appointed before 31st October 2023)”.

• (4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies in respect of an election for the return of a mayor as provided for in an order made under Schedule 5B to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 for which—

• (a) the notice of election is published in accordance with rule 5 of the mayoral election rules on or after 31st January 2024, and

• (b) the date of poll stated in that notice is on or before 1st May 2024.

• (5) Form 9 (official postal poll card) and Form 11 (official proxy postal poll card) in the mayoral election rules apply as if, on the back of the form, for the text that begins “vote as a proxy at this election” and ends with “grandchild” there were substituted—

(in the case of a proxy appointed on or after 31st October 2023) vote as a proxy on behalf of more than four electors, of which no more than two may be on behalf of other domestic electors (a domestic elector is one who is not an overseas or service elector)

SCHEDULE 3 — New forms for the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001

Form A (official poll card to be sent to an elector voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form B (official proxy poll card to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form E1 (proxy paper (parliamentary elections and local government elections in England))

First page

Final page

SCHEDULE 4 — New forms for the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001

Form A (official poll card to be sent to an elector voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form B (official proxy poll card to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form E1 (proxy paper (parliamentary elections))

First page

Last page

SCHEDULE 5 — New forms for the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007

PART 1 — Forms for use at a mayoral election in England where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

Form 8A (elector’s official poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England))

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 10A (official proxy poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England))

Front of form

Rear of form

PART 2 — Forms for use at a mayoral election in England where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

Form 8A (elector’s official poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England))

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 10A (official proxy poll card (for use at mayoral elections in England))

Front of form

Rear of form

SCHEDULE 6 — New forms for the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012

PART 1 — Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

Official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

PART 2 — Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

Official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

SCHEDULE 7 — New forms for the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012

PART 1 — Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

Official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

PART 2 — Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

Official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

SCHEDULE 8 — New Forms for the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012

PART 1 — New proxy paper

Form 1: proxy paper

First page

Last page

PART 2 — New official poll card and official proxy poll card

Form 11: Official poll card

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 13: Official proxy poll card

Front of form

Rear of form

SCHEDULE 9 — New forms for the Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012

PART 1 — Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

Form 7: Official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 9: Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

PART 2 — Forms for use at a referendum where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

Form 8: Official poll card (to be sent to a voter voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 10: Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)

Front of form

Rear of form

SCHEDULE 10 — New forms for the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016

PART 1 — United Kingdom forms

Form D: Official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition in person

First page

Second page

Third page

Final page

Form F: Official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition in person

First page

Second page

Third page

Fourth page

Final page

Form J: Proxy paper

PART 2 — Northern Ireland forms

Form D: Official petition notice for an elector who may sign the petition in person

Form F: Official petition notice for a proxy who may sign the petition in person

Form J: Proxy paper

SCHEDULE 11 — New forms for the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017

PART 1 — Forms for use at an election where the poll is not taken together with another election or referendum

Form 8 (elector’s official poll card)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 10 (official proxy poll card)

Front of form

Rear of form

PART 2 — Forms for use at an election where the poll is taken together with another election or referendum

Form 8 (elector’s official poll card)

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 10 (official proxy poll card)

Front of form

Rear of form

SCHEDULE 12 — New Welsh form of words and Welsh and English forms for the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2021

PART 1 — New Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Welsh versions of forms of words)

PART 2 — New proxy paper, official poll card and official proxy poll card

Form 1: proxy paper

First page

Second page

Last page

Form 11: Official poll card

Front of form

Rear of form

Form 13: Official proxy poll card

Front of form

Rear of form

Signed

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Jacob Young — Parliamentary Under Secretary of State — Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities — 25th October 2023

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations make provision related to the implementation of section 3 (restriction of period for which person can apply for a postal vote) and section 6 (limit on the number of electors for whom a proxy can vote) of the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37) (“EA 2022”), as well as amending provisions related to the processing of applications for electoral registration under section 10ZC of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) (“the 1983 Act”).

Part 2 of these Regulations makes amendments to the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulation 2001 (S.I. 2001/341) (“the 2001 Regulations”). Regulation 4 amends Part 3 of the 2001 Regulations to update provisions regarding how electoral registration applications submitted online via the digital service and the information contained within them are processed. Regulation 5 amends Part 4 of the 2001 Regulations, providing for the online submission of relevant absent voting applications (see paragraph 1A(7)(a)(i) of Schedule 2 to the 1983 Act), as well as the verification of information provided in such applications (whether or not submitted online) and the power for registration officers to request further evidence from applicants in order to verify the applicant’s identity. The amendments to Part 4 of the 2001 Regulations also provide for additional notifications to be sent by registration officers where an application for postal ballot papers to be sent to different address is granted, refused or disregarded for the purposes of a particular election. Regulation 6 replaces the prescribed form of the official poll card and official proxy poll card used in respect of parliamentary elections in England and Wales, as well as the prescribed form of the proxy paper.

Part 3 of these Regulations makes equivalent amendments to the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/497) to those made by Part 2 of these Regulations.

Regulations 12 and 13 make amendments to regulation 98 of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1111) and Schedule 2 to the Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/294) (which modify the parliamentary elections rules set out in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act where the poll for a UK parliamentary election is combined with one or more other polls in Scotland and England and Wales respectively) as a result of the amendments made to the statutory questions in rule 35 of the parliamentary election rules by paragraph 4 of Schedule 4 to EA 2022.

Regulations 14 to 20 amend various instruments to make equivalent amendments to election, referendum and recall petition rules to those made to the UK parliamentary election rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act by paragraph 4 of Schedule 4 to EA 2022 and to update the prescribed form of equivalent poll cards and proxy poll cards. Additionally, in relation to Police and Crime Commissioner elections and recall petitions, regulations 17 and 19 makes equivalent amendments to those made by Parts 2 and 3 of these Regulations for the online submission of absent voting or absent signing applications and associated verification procedures and powers.

Regulation 21 updates the Welsh language version of the statutory questions for proxies, and the Welsh and English versions of the poll card and proxy poll card, for use in relation to police and crime commissioner elections in Wales.

Regulation 22 amends the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382) to update provisions regarding how identity document applications submitted online via the digital service and the information contained within them are processed, as well as applying a similar limit on potential attestors to an applicant’s identity as are provided for in relation to relevant absent voting applications.

Schedule 2 contains transitional and savings provisions related to the amendments made by the EA 2022 and these Regulations to the rules governing elections, referendums and recall petitions.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of businesses, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF and published with the Explanatory Memorandum alongside this instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1983 c. 2. Section 53(5) was inserted by paragraph 5 of Schedule 2 to the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6).

[^f00002]: 1990 c. 8. Schedule 4B was inserted by section 116(2) of, and Schedule 10 to, the Localism Act 2011 (c. 20) and was amended by sections 140(1) and 141 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22) and by S.I. 2013/2597, 2018/1232, 2021/1265. It is prospectively amended by section 7 of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 (c. 20) from a date and time to be appointed.

[^f00003]: 1992 c. 14. Section 52ZQ was inserted by section 72(1) of, and Schedule 5 to, the Localism Act 2011 and amended by S.I. 2021/1265.

[^f00004]: 2000 c. 22. Section 9HE was inserted by paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Localism Act 2011 and amended by S.I. 2013/2597, 2021/1265.

[^f00005]: 2000 c. 41. Section 7(2)(hc) was inserted by paragraph 11 of Schedule 10 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13). Section 7(2)(k) was inserted by paragraph 3(6) of Schedule 6 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (c. 25).

[^f00006]: 2009 c. 20. Schedule 5B was inserted by section 2(2) of, and Schedule 1 to, the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), and was amended by section 2(2) of the Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022 (c. 17), by section 13(13) and (14) of the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37) and by S.I. 2021/1265. It is prospectively amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Elections Act 2022 from a date and time to be appointed.

[^f00007]: 1985 c. 50. Subsection (5C) was inserted by section 4(2) of the Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11).

[^f00008]: Subsection (5D) was inserted by section 5(2) of the Wales Act 2017 (c. 4).

[^f00009]: Section 201(2) was substituted by paragraph 69 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50) and was amended by paragraph 6(1) and (7)(b) of Schedule 21 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41), by section 13(2) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (c. 13) and by S.I. 1991/1728. It is prospectively amended by paragraph 1(9)(a) of Schedule 8 to the Elections Act 2022 from a date and time to be appointed.

[^f00010]: Section 333(3A) was inserted by paragraph 22(3) of Schedule 12 to the Localism Act 2011.

[^f00011]: Section 105 was amended by paragraph 14(2) of Schedule 3 to the Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), by paragraph 70 of Schedule 3, and paragraph 52 of Schedule 4, to the Localism Act 2011 and by S.I. 2013/2597, 2018/644, 2021/1265.

[^f00012]: Section 117(2) was substituted by section 13(2) of the Localism Act 2011.

[^f00013]: 2011 c. 13.

[^f00014]: 2015 c. 25.

[^f00015]: S.I. 2021/291, amended by S.I. 2022/1382.

[^f00016]: S.I. 2001/341; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 2001/1700, 2005/2114, 2006/752, 2910, 2009/725, 2013/3198, 2015/467, 1971, 2016/211, 694, 2018/312, 644, 1310, 2019/1451, 2020/50, 2021/391, 1265, 2022/1382, 2023/149.

[^f00017]: Sections 10ZC and 10ZD were inserted by paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6) and were amended by section 6(2) and (3) of the Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11) and by section 7 of the Wales Act 2017 (c. 4).

[^f00018]: Paragraph 1A was inserted by paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6) and was amended by section 20(2)(b) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (c. 13), by paragraph 18(2) of Schedule 19 to the Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12) and by paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37).

[^f00019]: S.I. 2012/1917; relevant amending instruments are: S.I. 2014/921, 2016/300, 2018/272, 1310, 2020/190, 2021/1265, 2022/175, 391, 1354, 1382.

[^f00020]: S.I. 2016/295; relevant amending instruments are: S.I. 2018/699, 2019/1094, 2020/581, 2021/1188, 2022/332, 1382.

[^f00021]: S.I. 2022/1382.

[^f00022]: 2000 c. 2. Paragraph 3 was amended by paragraph 164 of Schedule 27 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), by section 14(1) and (8) of, and paragraphs 20 and 137 of Schedule 1 to, the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), by section 34(5) of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), by section 9(3) of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020 (asp 6) and by paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37).

[^f00023]: Paragraph 4 was amended by section 14(2) and (8) of, and paragraph 21 of Schedule 1 to, the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22) and section 20(c)(ii) of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14).

[^f00024]: 2003 c. 21. Schedule 3A was inserted by Schedule 1 to the Digital Economy Act 2017 (c. 30). It is prospectively amended by paragraph 4 of the Schedule to the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 (c. 7) from a date and time to be appointed.

[^f00025]: 2007 c. 30. Section 5 was amended by paragraph 19 of the Schedule to the Identity Documents Act 2010 (c. 40).

[^f00026]: 1968 c. 27.

[^f00027]: 1976 c. 63. Section 5(1) was amended by paragraph 1(a) of Schedule 3 to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33) and by Part 12 of Schedule 37 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44).

[^f00028]: 1992 c. 4. Section 141 was amended by section 1(1) of the Child Benefit Act 2005 (c. 6).

[^f00029]: Section 130 was amended by paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), by Part 6 of Schedule 19 to the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52) and by section 30(1) of, and paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 5 to, the Welfare Reform Act 2007 (c. 5). It is prospectively amended by section 96 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22), and prospectively repealed by Part 1 of Schedule 14 to the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (c. 5), from a date and time to be appointed.

[^f00030]: Section 10B was inserted by S.I. 2018/699 and amended by S.I. 2020/581.

[^f00031]: Section 13D was inserted by section 7(1) of the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 13). By virtue of section 15(8) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), section 13D extends to England and Wales and Scotland. Subsection (1) was further substituted by section 15(2) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006.

[^f00032]: Section 13 was substituted by paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2), and subsection (1) was further substituted by section 5(1) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33).

[^f00033]: Sections 13A and 13B were inserted by paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000. Section 13A(2) was amended by paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006. Section 13AB was inserted by section 16(3) of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6). Section 13B was amended by section 11 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), by section 6(1) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006, by paragraph 3 of Schedule 10 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), by paragraph 13 of Schedule 4 to the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, by paragraph 5 of Schedule 2 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (c. 25) and by S.I. 2018/1310. It is prospectively amended by section 18(8) of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1) from a date and time to be appointed. Section 13BC was inserted by paragraph 7 of Schedule 2 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015.

[^f00034]: S.I. 2001/497; relevant amending instruments are: S.I. 2006/834, 2007/925, 2008/305, 2013/3206, 2015/1966, 2017/602, 604, 2018/1310, 2019/1451, 2021/391, 1265, 2022/1382 and S.S.I. 2020/113.

[^f00035]: Section 59(1) was amended by section 1 of the Representation of the People Act 1993 (c. 29).

[^f00036]: Section 7B was inserted by section 6 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2), and was amended by section 14(1)(a)(ii) of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (c. 13), by section 8 of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015 (asp 7), by sections 1(4) and 8 of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation Act 2020 (asp 6), by section 19 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), by paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1) and by S.I. 2007/1388. It is prospectively amended by paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 8 to the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37) from a date and time to be appointed.

[^f00037]: Section 6 was amended by paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000.

[^f00038]: Paragraph 7 was amended by sections 14(3) and (8) and 38(6)(b) of, and paragraphs 23 and 137(7) of Schedule 1 to, the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), by sections 20(c)(iv) and 27(2)(b) of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14) and by paragraph 3 of Schedule 3 to the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37).

[^f00039]: S.I. 1986/1111, amended by S.I. 2022/1382; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.

[^f00040]: S.I. 2004/294, amended by S.I. 2006/3278; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.

[^f00041]: S.I. 2007/1024, amended by S.I. 2022/1382; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.

[^f00042]: S.I. 2012/323; relevant amending instruments are: S.I. 2014/924, 2022/1382.

[^f00043]: Section 61 was amended by paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 and Schedule 5 to the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50), by paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29), by paragraph 83 of Schedule 27 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), by section 38(3) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), by section 27(1) of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), by section 5(3) of the Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12) and by paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 and paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 to the Elections Act 2022 (c. 37).

[^f00044]: Paragraph 2 was amended by sections 35 and 38(6)(a) of, and paragraph 137(3) of Schedule 1 to, the Electoral Administration Act 2006, by sections 27(2)(a) and 32 of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006, by section 21(3) of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), by paragraph 12 of Schedule 12 to the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3) and by section 9(2) of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020 (asp 6). Paragraph 5 was amended by paragraphs 22 and 137(5) and (6) of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006. Paragraph 6 was amended by paragraph 164(3) of Schedule 27 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), by section 3 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, by section 16 of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015 (asp 7), by section 9(4) of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020, by paragraph 8(3)(b) of Schedule 2 to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), and by paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the Elections Act 2022. Paragraphs 7C and 7D were inserted by section 14(4) and (8) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006.

[^f00045]: S.I. 2012/444; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 2014/925, 2022/1382.