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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS


2006 No. 2910

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE

The Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006

  Made 10th November 2006 
  Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1


CONTENTS


PART 1

General
1. Citation, commencement, interpretation and extent

PART 2

Registration
2. Amendment to interpretation regulation
3. Repeal of offence of giving false information to registration officer
4. Amendment in relation to evidence as to age and nationality
5. Reminders to persons who have an anonymous entry
6. Amendments to procedure for applications for registration
7. Amendments to procedure for making objections to registration
8. Applications for registration accompanied by applications for anonymous entry not available for public inspection
9. Amendments to procedure for determining applications for registration and objections without a hearing
10. Objections relating to applications that have been allowed, but before alterations to register have taken effect
11. Procedure for other determinations by registration officer of entitlement to registration
12. Anonymous registration: procedure
13. Amendment to registration appeals
14. Revocation of circumstances prescribed under section 10A(5)(b) of the 1983 Act
15. Anonymous entries
16. Amendments to references to names
17. Information about register: anonymous entries
18. Record of anonymous entries and certificates of anonymous entry
19. Anonymous registration: amendments to regulation 51B
20. Anonymous registration: amendment to additional requirements for applications for proxy vote in respect of a particular election
21. Anonymous registration: amendments to procedure on issue of postal ballot papers
22. Anonymous registration: amendments relating to list of spoilt postal ballot papers and list of lost postal ballot papers
23. Anonymous registration: amendment relating to edited version of the register

PART 3

Alteration of Registers
24. Representations regarding clerical errors
25. Amendment of regulation 36
26. Communication of notices made on polling day
27. Amendment of regulation 92
28. Amendment of regulations 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 109A, 111 and 112

PART 4

Replacement of Counterfoils
29. Forms of Corresponding Number List
30. Replacement of counterfoils by corresponding number lists

PART 5

Absent Voting: Personal Identifiers
31. Absent voting: interpretation
32. Amendment of regulation 51
33. Signatures
34. Requirement to provide fresh signatures at five yearly intervals
35. The personal identifiers record
36. Postal ballot boxes and receptacles
37. Amendment of regulation 84
38. Amendment of regulation 85
39. Procedure in relation to postal voting statements: personal identifier verification
40. Sealing of receptacles
41. Form K

PART 6

Absent Voting: Proxy Applications
42. Persons who may attest applications for a proxy vote
43. Additional requirements for certain proxy applications for a particular election
44. Closing date for applications

PART 7

Cancellation of Postal Ballot Papers
45. Cancellation of postal ballot papers

PART 8

Official Poll Cards
46. Prescribed forms of official postal poll card sent to the elector or their proxy
47. Insertion of new official and official postal poll cards into Schedule 3

PART 9

Postal Voters List
48. Interpretation of Part 5
49. Proxy postal voters list
50. Amendments to procedure for security of special lists
51. Amendment to procedure for the opening of covering envelopes
52. Confirmation of receipt of postal voting statement
53. Amendments to requirements for the forwarding of ballot papers

PART 10

Access to Absent Voter Lists
54. Supply and disclosure of absent voter lists
55. Records and lists kept under Schedule 4
56. Conditions on use, supply and inspection of absent voter records or lists

PART 11

Control of Documents Following an Election
57. Processing of information outside the EEA
58. Offences in respect of contravention of Part 4 and Part 6
59. Control of documents: supply of the marked register and lists

PART 12

Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provision
60. Maundy Thursday
61. Additional requirement for postal vote applications
62. Amendments relating to requirement to make notification to absent voters
63. Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers: observers
64. Amendment to regulation 74
65. Replacement of declarations of identity by postal voting statements
66. Form of Postal Voting Statement
67. Transitional provision: regulation 31J

  SCHEDULE 1— Enabling Powers

  SCHEDULE 2— Forms

These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers conferred by the enactments set out in Schedule 1;

     The Secretary of State has consulted the Electoral Commission about these Regulations in accordance with sections 44(3A) and 45(8A) of the Local Government Act 2000[
1], section 7(1) and (2)(e) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000[2] and section 42(9) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006[3].

     In accordance with section 201(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983[4], a draft of this instrument has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

     Accordingly, the Secretary of State makes the following Regulations:



PART 1

General

Citation, commencement, interpretation and extent
     1. —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2006 and subject to paragraphs (2) to (4) shall come into force on 1 January 2007.

    (2) The regulations specified in paragraph (3) shall not have effect in relation to any election for which the date of the poll specified in the notice of election issued in relation to that election is on or before 2 May 2007.

    (3) The regulations referred to in paragraph (2) are—

    (4) Regulation 61 shall come into force on the fourteenth day after these Regulations are made.

    (5) In the following provisions of these Regulations, unless otherwise stated, any reference to a numbered regulation or schedule is a reference to the regulation or schedule bearing that number in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001[
5].

    (6) These Regulations do not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.



PART 2

Registration

Amendment to interpretation regulation
     2. In regulation 3(1)[6] after the definition of "candidate" insert—

Repeal of offence of giving false information to registration officer
     3. In regulation 23 omit paragraph (3)(b) and the ", or" preceding it.

Amendment in relation to evidence as to age and nationality
    
4. After regulation 24(4) insert—

Reminders to persons who have an anonymous entry
    
5. After regulation 25 insert—

Amendments to procedure for applications for registration
     6. —(1) Regulation 26[10] is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (1)(g) after "applicant" insert "whose application is not accompanied by an application for an anonymous entry and".

    (3) After paragraph (1)(h) insert—

    (4) After paragraph (9) insert—

Amendments to procedure for making objections to registration
     7. —(1) Regulation 27 is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (1)(b) at the beginning insert "in the case of an objection made before that person is entered in the register,".

    (3) After paragraph (1)(b) insert—

Applications for registration accompanied by applications for anonymous entry not available for public inspection
    
8. —(1) Regulation 28 is amended as follows.

    (2) The existing text of regulation 28 becomes paragraph (1).

    (3) After paragraph (1) insert—

Amendments to procedure for determining applications for registration and objections without a hearing
    
9. —(1) Regulation 29 is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (1) for "and 31" substitute "to 31A".

    (3) For paragraph (2) substitute—

    (4) At the beginning of paragraph (4) insert "Subject to paragraph (4A),".

    (5) In paragraph (4) for "five days of" substitute "the period of five days beginning with the day following".

    (6) After paragraph (4) insert—

    (7) In paragraph (5) omit the words from "or the objection" to "has expired".

    (8) After paragraph (5) insert—

    (9) After paragraph (7) insert—

Objections relating to applications that have been allowed, but before alterations to register have taken effect
     10. After regulation 31 insert—

Procedure for other determinations by registration officer of entitlement to registration
     11. After regulation 31A insert—

Anonymous registration: procedure
    
12. After regulation 31F insert—

Amendment to registration appeals
     13. For regulation 32(1) substitute—

Revocation of circumstances prescribed under section 10A(5)(b) of the 1983 Act
     14. —(1) Omit regulation 33.

    (2) For regulation 34(2)(c) substitute—

    (3) In regulation 36(2)(b)[32] for "regulation 33(2)(e)" substitute "regulation 31C(2)(d)".

Anonymous entries
     15. After regulation 41 insert—

Amendments to references to names
    
16. In regulations 42, 62 and 111(7)[33], wherever it occurs, for "name" substitute "entry".

Information about register: anonymous entries
     17. —(1) In regulation 44(1) after "paragraphs (2) to (4)" insert "and (6)".

    (2) After regulation 44(5) insert—

Record of anonymous entries and certificates of anonymous entry
    
18. After regulation 45, insert—

Anonymous registration: amendments to regulation 51B
     19. —(1) Regulation 51B[39] is amended as follows.

    (2) The existing text of the regulation becomes paragraph (1).

    (3) After paragraph (1) insert—

Anonymous registration: amendment to additional requirements for applications for proxy vote in respect of a particular election
     20. After regulation 55(1)[40] insert—

Anonymous registration: amendments to procedure on issue of postal ballot papers
     21. —(1) Regulation 72[41] is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (7) insert at the beginning "Subject to paragraph (8),".

    (3) After paragraph (7) insert—

Anonymous registration: amendments relating to list of spoilt postal ballot papers and list of lost postal ballot papers
     22. At the end of regulations 77(8)(a)[44] and 78(4)(a)[45] insert "(or, in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, his electoral number alone)".

Anonymous registration: amendment relating to edited version of the register
     23. After regulation 93(2)[46] insert—



PART 3

Alteration of Registers

Representations regarding clerical errors
     24. —(1) In regulation 5, after "notice" insert ", representation".

    (2) In regulation 6, after "notice" insert ", representation".

    (3) In regulation 7(5)(b), after "13B(3)" insert ", (3B) or (3D)".

    (4) After regulation 32 insert the following.

Amendment of regulation 36
    
25. —(1) Regulation 36 is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (2) after "13B(3)" insert ", (3B) or (3D)"

    (3) After paragraph (2) insert—

Communication of notices made on polling day
    
26. After regulation 36 insert the following—

Amendment of regulation 92
    
27. In regulation 92(1)(b) after "13B(3)" insert ", (3B) or (3D)".

Amendment of regulations 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 109A, 111 and 112
    
28. In regulations 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 109A, 111 and 112 after "13B(3)" insert ", (3B) or (3D)".



PART 4

Replacement of Counterfoils

Forms of Corresponding Number List
    
29. —(1) After regulation 63 (certificate of employment at a parliamentary election) insert—

    (2) In Schedule 3, in the Arrangement of Forms, after the entry relating to Form K insert—

"Form L1 Corresponding Number List for use at parliamentary election taken alone
Form L2 Corresponding Number List for use in polling station at parliamentary election taken alone
Form M1 Corresponding Number List for use when parliamentary election combined with a relevant election or referendum
Form M2 Corresponding Number List for use in polling station when parliamentary election combined with a relevant election or referendum"


    (3) After Form K in Schedule 3, insert Forms L1, L2, M1 and M2 as set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

Replacement of counterfoils by corresponding number lists
     30. —(1) In regulation 72[49] omit paragraph (1) and for "counterfoil attached to the ballot paper" in paragraph (2) substitute "corresponding number list, next to the number and unique identifying mark of the ballot paper issued to that elector".

    (2) In regulation 75, in the heading and in paragraph (1), for the word "counterfoils" substitute "completed corresponding number lists".



PART 5

Absent Voting: Personal Identifiers

Absent voting: interpretation
     31. —(1) In regulation 50 after the definition of "Schedule 4", delete "and" and insert—

    (2) In regulation 64 for the definition of "valid declaration of identity" substitute—

Amendment of regulation 51
     32. —(1) Regulation 51[51] is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (2)(d), omit "and".

    (3) After paragraph (2)(e) insert—

    (4) For paragraph (3) substitute—

Signatures
     33. For regulation 51A[52] substitute—

Requirement to provide fresh signatures at five yearly intervals
     34. After regulation 60[53], insert—

The personal identifiers record
    
35. After regulation 61A[54] insert—

Postal ballot boxes and receptacles
     36. In regulation 81(5) remove the "and" preceding sub-paragraph (d) and after sub-paragraph (d) insert—

Amendment of regulation 84
    
37. —(1) Regulation 84 is amended as follows

    (2) For paragraph (1) substitute—

    (3) In paragraph (2) for "The procedure in regulation 85 below applies" substitute "The procedures in regulation 85 or 85A apply".

Amendment of regulation 85
    
38. In regulation 85[56], for paragraph (1) substitute—

Procedure in relation to postal voting statements: personal identifier verification
     39. After regulation 85 insert the following—

Sealing of receptacles
    
40. In regulation 89(1) omit the "and" preceding sub-paragraph (d) and after sub-paragraph (d) insert—

Form K
    
41. In Schedule 3 for Form K substitute the new Form K as set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.



PART 6

Absent Voting: Proxy Applications

Persons who may attest applications for a proxy vote
    
42. —(1) Regulation 53[58] is amended as follows.

    (2) In the heading to regulation 53, for the words "physical incapacity or blindness" substitute "blindness or any other disability".

    (3) In paragraph (1) for "the physical incapacity" substitute "the disability".

    (4) For paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) substitute—

    (5) In paragraph (5)(b), for the words "physical incapacity" substitute "disability".

    (6) After paragraph (5) insert—

Additional requirements for certain proxy applications for a particular election
     43. —(1) Regulation 55[68] shall be amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (2)(a) for "physical incapacity" substitute "disability".

    (3) In paragraph (3)—

    (4) After paragraph (3) insert—

Closing date for applications
     44. —(1) Regulation 56[69] shall be amended as follows.

    (2) For paragraph (3A) substitute—



PART 7

Cancellation of Postal Ballot Papers

Cancellation of postal ballot papers
     45. After regulation 86 insert—



PART 8

Official Poll Cards

Prescribed forms of official postal poll card sent to the elector or their proxy
    
46. For regulation 9 (Official poll card at parliamentary elections) insert—

Insertion of new official and official postal poll cards into Schedule 3
     47. —(1) Schedule 3 shall be amended as follows.

    (2) In the Arrangement of Forms, for the entries for Form A (Elector's official poll card) and Form B (Proxy's official poll card) substitute—

"Form A Official poll card (to be sent to an elector voting in person)
Form A1 Official postal poll card (to be sent to an elector voting by post)
Form B Official proxy poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting in person)
Form B1 Official proxy postal poll card (to be sent to an appointed proxy voting by post)"


    (3) For Form A substitute Form A (Official poll card) set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

    (4) After Form A insert Form A1 (Official postal poll card) set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

    (5) For Form B substitute Form B (Official proxy poll card) set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

    (6) After Form B insert Form B1 (Official proxy postal poll card) set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.



PART 9

Postal Voters List

Interpretation of Part 5
    
48. —(1) Regulation 64 shall be amended as follows.

    (2) Omit the definition of "absent voters list".

    (3) Omit the definition of "list of postal proxies".

Proxy postal voters list
    
49. —(1) For the words "list of postal proxies" wherever they occur in the provisions mentioned in paragraph (2) substitute "proxy postal voters list".

    (2) The provisions mentioned in this paragraph are—

    (3) In regulation 72(7)(b) for the words "special list" to the end substitute "proxy postal voters list."

    (4) In regulations 72 and 73 for "absent voters list" in each place that it occurs substitute "postal voters list"[
71].

Amendments to procedure for security of special lists
     50. —(1) Regulation 75 is amended as follows.

    (2) For paragraph (2) substitute—

    (3) Omit paragraph (3).

Amendment to procedure for the opening of covering envelopes
    
51. In regulation 84, after paragraph (4) insert—

Confirmation of receipt of postal voting statement
    
52. After regulation 84 insert—

Amendments to requirements for the forwarding of ballot papers
    
53. —(1) Regulation 91 is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (1) for the words "The returning officer" to "the elections rules" substitute "The returning officer shall forward to the relevant registration officer determined in accordance with rule 55(1A) of the elections rules at the same time as he forwards the documents mentioned in rule 55 of the elections rules—".

    (3) In paragraph (1)(a) after "78(2C)" insert ", 84(9)"[
72].

    (4) Omit paragraph (2).



PART 10

Access to Absent Voter Lists

Supply and disclosure of absent voter lists
     54. In regulation 7 after paragraph (5) insert—

Records and lists kept under Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000[74]
     55. For regulation 61 substitute—

Conditions on the use, supply and inspection of absent voter records or lists
     56. After regulation 61 insert—



PART 11

Control of Documents Following an Election

Processing of information outside the EEA
     57. In regulation 92 omit paragraph (8)[78].

Offences in respect of contravention of Part 3, Part 4 and Part 6
     58. For regulation 115[79] substitute—

Control of documents: supply of the marked register or lists
     59. After regulation 115 insert the following—





PART 12

Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provision

Maundy Thursday
    
60. —(1) In regulation 8(3) (time) omit the words "Maundy Thursday,".

    (2) In regulation 56(6) (closing date for absent voting applications) omit the words "Maundy Thursday,".

Additional requirement for postal vote applications
    
61. After regulation 51A insert—

Amendments relating to requirement to make notification to absent voters
     62. —(1) Regulation 57[84] is amended as follows.

    (2) In paragraph (4B)—

    (3) In paragraph (4C) after "shall" insert "where practicable".

Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers: observers
     63. Regulations 67 and 68 are amended by inserting at the beginning of each regulation the words "Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, or 6E of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000[85],".

Amendment to regulation 74
     64. In regulation 74, at the beginning of paragraph (3)(c) insert "unless the envelope has a window through which the number on the ballot paper (or ballot papers) can be displayed,".

Replacement of declarations of identity by postal voting statements
    
65. In the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001[86]—

Form of Postal Voting Statement
     66. In Schedule 3, for Form G, Form H and Form J substitute the Form G, Form H and Form J set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

Transitional provision: regulation 31J
    
67. —(1) Paragraph (2) applies until paragraph 2(1) and (2) of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 2004[87] comes into force.

    (2) Regulation 31J[88] must be read as if for sub-paragraphs (f) to (h) of paragraph (4) there were substituted—


Bridget Prentice
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department for Constitutional Affairs

10th November 2006



SCHEDULE 1

Enabling Powers


These Regulations are made under the following powers—



SCHEDULE 2
Regulations 29, 41, 47 and 66


Forms




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EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


These Regulations make amendments to the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/341) ("the 2001 Regulations")

Regulation 2 is a consequential amendment to regulation 3 (interpretation) of the 2001 Regulations.

Regulation 3 repeals the existing offence in regulation 23 of the 2001 Regulations of providing false information in pursuance of a requisition of information by a registration officer. Section 15 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22) ("the 2006 Act") has amended section 13D of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) ("the 1983 Act"), creating a broader offence of providing false information to registration officers.

Regulation 5 inserts new regulation 25A in the 2001 Regulations to provide for a reminder to be sent in each year to each person who has an anonymous entry, as the entitlement to registration terminates under section 9C of the 1983 Act after 12 months unless a fresh application is made.

Regulation 6 makes amendments to the procedure for applications for registration consequential on anonymous registration.

Regulations 7 and 9 amend regulations 27 and 29 of the 2001 Regulations, to make provision for objections made in respect of persons already entered in the register. The amendment made to section 10A of the 1983 Act by section 12(4) of the 2006 Act clarified that such objections could be made. Regulation 9 additionally provides for registration officers to be able to determine objections without a hearing where they are of the opinion that the objection in question is clearly without merit.

Regulation 8 provides that applications for registration, when accompanied by an application for an anonymous entry, will not be available for public inspection.

Regulation 10 inserts new regulation 31A in the 2001 Regulations, to make provision for the determination of objections relating to applications for registration which have been allowed, but where the corresponding changes to the register have not yet taken effect.

Regulation 11 inserts new regulations 31B to 31F in the 2001 Regulations. The 2006 Act, in section 12, amended the provisions of the 1983 Act set out in new regulation 31B, to confer powers on registration officers to make determinations of a person's entitlement to be registered other than in relation to determining applications for registration and objections. These new regulations provide for how these powers are to be exercised. They provide for the registration officer to undertake a review of a person's entitlement to registration (new regulation 31D) and to maintain a list of such reviews (new regulation 31E). Provision is made for when such reviews must be heard (new regulation 31D) and how they are to be heard (new regulation 31F). New regulation 31C provides that this procedure does not apply in four specified circumstances, where it is clear that a person has ceased to satisfy the conditions for registration set out in section 4 of the 1983 Act, for the purposes of a determination under section 10A(5)(b) of that Act.

Regulation 12 inserts new regulations 31G to 31J in the 2001 Regulations. The 2006 Act, in section 10 and Part 1 of Schedule 1, provided for persons to apply to be entered in the register anonymously, where they show that their safety (or that of another person of their household) is at risk. New regulation 31G governs the procedure for applying for an anonymous entry, which must include a declaration by the applicant. New regulation 31H requires the registration officer to allow the application for an anonymous entry where the application is properly made and he is satisfied that evidence of the prescribed nature has been provided. That evidence can take one of the following forms: First, an order or injunction of a court – of a type specified in new regulation 31I – protecting the applicant (or another person of his household) from harassment or molestation. Secondly, an attestation made by a qualifying officer – such as the chief constable of a police force – that the safety of the applicant (or another person of his household) is at risk (new regulation 31J).

Regulation 13 amends regulation 32 of the 2001 Regulations. Appeals from the decision of the registration officer that a person was not entitled to be registered, or has ceased to satisfy the conditions for registration set out in section 4 of the 1983 Act will be governed by the same prescribed requirements as those which apply to appeals from decisions regarding an application for registration. These requirements are also to apply to appeals from decisions relating to anonymous registration.

Regulation 14 repeals regulation 33 of the 2001 Regulations, which prescribed circumstances for the purposes of section 10A(5)(b) of the 1983 Act. This conferred a power on the registration officer to determine in the circumstances so prescribed that a person had ceased to satisfy the requirements for registration set out in section 4 of that Act. However, the 2006 Act, in section 12(5)(b), substituted a broader power that is now subject to the procedure set out in the new regulations inserted by regulation 9. Consequential amendments are also made to regulations 34 and 36 of the 2001 Regulations.

Regulation 15 inserts new regulation 41A in the 2001 Regulations, which makes provision in relation to the content and location of an anonymous entry in the register. Regulation 16 makes amendments in consequence of anonymous registration.

Regulation 17 amends regulation 44 of the 2001 Regulations, to require the registration officer to include details of the total number of electors who have an anonymous entry in a document setting out information about the register, to be supplied to the Secretary of State.

Regulation 18 inserts new regulations 45A to 45H.

New regulation 45A requires the registration officer to maintain a record of anonymous entries. This record will contain details about the anonymously registered person, including those normally entered on the register. The registration officer must take proper precautions for the safe custody of the record. New regulations 45B to 45F provide for who is to have access to the record. The record is to be used only for the purposes of registration, elections, referendums, the summoning of juries, or of the police, security and intelligence services and other related organisations. The record may not otherwise be disclosed, except where this is ordered by a court.

New regulation 45G provides for the registration officer to issue to a person with an anonymous entry a certificate of anonymous registration. Regulation 45H provides that this certificate is the prescribed evidence to allow such persons to make donations to candidates at elections without their personal details being publicly reported.

Regulations 19 to 23 make amendments to the parts of the 2001 Regulations that govern absent voters and the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in consequence of anonymous registration.

Regulation 24 amends the 2001 Regulations to make provision in relation to representations made by or on behalf of an elector that the electoral register contains a clerical error. The amendments to regulations 5 and 6 of the 2001 Regulations are to facilitate the use of electronic communications in making representations.

Regulation 25(3) inserts new paragraph (3) to regulation 36 of the 2001 Regulations that specifies the prescribed time for the purposes of section 13B of the 1983 Act

Section 13B of the 1983 Act (as amended by section 11 of the 2006 Act allows alterations to be made to an electoral register in consequence of a court ruling or in order to correct a clerical error up to a prescribed time on the day of the poll. Regulation 26 inserts a new regulation 36A into the 2001 Regulations that provides that where a notice of alteration is issued by a registration officer on polling day as a result of a court ruling or to correct a clerical error, the registration officer must communicate the contents of the notice to the presiding officer. Where such communication takes place by way of telephone, the presiding officer is required to make a written record of the contents of the notice.

Regulations 27 and 28 amend regulations 92 and 98-112 of the 2001 Regulations, which relate to the supply of the electoral register. The amendments ensure that where a registration officer is required to supply a person with a copy of the electoral register, the register is taken to include any notices of alteration issued by the registration officer under sections 13B(3B) and (3D) of the 1983 Act.

Regulation 29 prescribes the form of corresponding number lists to be used at parliamentary elections at polling stations and for postal ballot papers. This is consequential on sections 30 (ballot paper design) and 31 of the 2006 Act.

Regulation 30 replaces references to counterfoils attached to ballot papers with references to the corresponding number list, following amendments made by section 31 the 2006 Act (replacement of counterfoils).

Regulations 31 to 34 amend 2001 Regulations to reflect the requirement introduced by section 14 of the 2006 Act that persons wishing to vote by post, by proxy or by postal proxy must provide their signature and date of birth when applying.

Regulation 32 deals with circumstances where a person is entitled to a waiver from the requirement to provide a signature.

Regulation 33 specifies that the registration officer may satisfy himself as to the authenticity of the personal identifiers provided from other records that he is entitled to inspect.

Regulation 34 provides that fresh signatures are to be required by every fifth anniversary of a person being recorded as a postal voter or postal proxy.

Regulation 35 specifies the contents of the record of personal identifiers that the registration officer must keep and provide at a parliamentary or local government election to a returning officer.

Regulations 39 specifies the procedure upon receipt of postal ballot papers for verifying the personal identifiers provided in postal voting statements.

Regulation 41 substitutes a new Form K, which collects relevant statistics on postal ballot papers. The new form is designed to collect information relating to the verification procedures in connection with personal identifiers.

Regulation 42 revises and updates the lists of health care professionals and others who may attest applications for proxy votes so that it also includes persons who may be caring for or treating persons with disabilities of a non-physical nature. It reflects amendments made by section 73 of the 2006 Act.

Regulations 43 and 44 make provision following section 35 of the 2006 Act. Section 35 amended Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 to remove the embargo on certain detained mental patients voting in person at polling stations. Where a detained mental patient is unexpectedly unable to vote in person (such as where he is refused permission to be absent in order to vote), he can appoint a proxy to vote for him. Such appointments may be made up to 5 p.m. on polling day.

Regulation 45 inserts a new regulation 86A into the 2001 Regulations. Where an elector has reported that he has lost or spoilt his ballot paper and a replacement has been issued to him, the original ballot paper is cancelled. The new regulation 86A sets out the procedure by which a cancelled postal ballot paper should be retrieved from a ballot box.

Regulations 46 and 47 and Schedule 2 to these Regulations substitute a revised form of elector's official poll card and proxy's official poll card and prescribe new forms of official postal poll card to be sent to electors and their proxies.

Regulations 48 to 53 are made in consequence of the introduction of new rule 31A of the elections rules requiring the returning officer to record the return of postal ballots. Regulation 51 makes provision for the marked list of postal voters and the list of proxy postal voters to be marked to record receipt where a postal voting statement.

Regulation 49 makes consequential amendments to the 2001 Regulations. Paragraph 137 of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act adopted a defined term in relation to the special list relating to postal voters kept under paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2), and this definition is now adopted in the 2001 Regulations.

Regulations 55 and 56 make provision for the supply and inspection of unmarked lists of absent voters in advance of an election. The new regulations require the registration officer to supply copies of documents to political parties and candidates and to permit inspection of those documents by members of the public.

Regulation 57 removes paragraph (8) of regulation 92, which had the effect of preventing the transfer of data in the full register to a processor outside the European Economic Area. A person who supplies information in the full register to any processor remains subject to the eighth data protection principle in Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act 1998 (c.29.).

Regulation 58 replaces the offences in regulation 115 in order to bring the offences for breach of conditions on the use of information in full registers or unmarked special lists into line with that for misuse of documents after an election. It also creates offences in respect of the duties imposed by new regulations 45C to 45F on those who are supplied with the record of anonymous entries.

Regulation 59 inserts a new Part which makes provision requiring relevant registration officers to supply or disclose information in documents that have been used or marked at a parliamentary or local election and places conditions on the use of information in those documents. An offence for breach of those conditions is contained in section 66B the 1983 Act as regards Parliamentary election documents which was inserted by section 41(9) of the 2006 Act. Section 42 of that Act contains a parallel offence for local election documents.

Regulation 60 removes references in the 2001 Regulations to Maundy Thursday as a day to be ignored in certain electoral timetables, following amendments made by section 20 of the 2006 Act (Omission of references to Maundy Thursday).

Regulation 61 inserts new regulation 51AA in the 2001 Regulations. Where a person in his application for a postal vote asks for the ballot papers to be sent to an address that is different from the address that must be stated in the application, he must set out why his circumstances are such that this is required.

Regulation 62 amends regulation 57 of the 2001 Regulations, so that the registration officer must notify a person when they are removed from the record of proxies who are entitled to vote by post. It also qualifies the requirement to give notifications to absent voters under paragraphs (4B) and (4C) of regulation 57 to where this is practicable.

Regulation 64 amends regulation 74 of the 2001 Regulations to provide that a ballot paper envelope does not need to be marked with the number of the ballot paper where the the ballot paper envelope contains a window through which the number of the ballot paper can be displayed.

Regulation 65 makes amendments following the replacement by section 37 of the 2006 Act (as regards Great Britain) of the declaration of identity with a postal voting statement. References throughout the 2001 Regulations to declaration of identity, and associated references to a "declaration" or "declare" are altered to refer, as appropriate, to "postal voting statement", "statement" and "state".

Regulation 66 provides for new forms of postal voting statement to be used at parliamentary elections taken alone or in combination with certain other elections or referendums.

Regulation 67 makes transitional provision in relation to the attestation evidence that may be provided in support of an application for an anonymous entry.


Notes:

[1] 2000 c.22; sections 44 and 45 were amended by paragraph 18 of Schedule 21 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).back

[2] 2000 c. 41.back

[3] 2006 c. 22.back

[4] 1983 c. 2; section 201(2) was substituted by paragraph 69 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50) and amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 21 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (c. 41) and article 5(b) of S.I. 1991/1728.back

[5] S.I. 2001/341, amended by S.I. 2001/1700, 2002/1871, 2004/226 and 2006/752.back

[6] There are amendments to regulation 3, but none are relevant.back

[7] Regulation 45G is inserted by regulation 18 of these Regulations.back

[8] 1983 c. 2; section 10A was substituted together with section 10 for section 10 as originally enacted by paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2).back

[9] Regulation 25(3)(a) was inserted by the Service Voters' Registration Period Order 2006 S.I. 2006/XXXX.back

[10] Relevant amending instruments are S.I. 2002/187 and 2006/752.back

[11] 1985 c. 50; section 2 was substituted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2).back

[12] 1983 c. 2; sections 13, 13A and 13B were substituted by paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2); section 13B(2), which relates to the operation of subsection (3) of that section was substituted by section 11(3) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[13] 1983 c. 2. Section 7 was substituted, and sections 7A and 7C were inserted by, respectively, sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2). Section 15(2) was substituted by paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 1 to that Act. Sections 7(3)(aa), 7A(3)(aa), 7C(2)(aa) and 15(2)(aa) were inserted by, respectively, section 12(1), (2), (3) and (7) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[14] 1985 c. 50; section 2 was substituted by paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2); subsection (2)(aa) was inserted by section 12(9) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[15] 1983 c. 2; section 10A was substituted together with section 10 for section 10 as originally enacted by paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2); subsection (5)(b) was substituted by section 12(5)(b) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[16] 1983 c. 2; section 4 was substituted by section 1(2) of the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2).back

[17] Amended by S.I. 2002/1871; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.back

[18] 1997 c. 40; section 3(1) was amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), section 125(4).back

[19] 1997 c. 40; section 3A was inserted by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), section 125(5).back

[20] 1997 c. 40; section 5 was amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), section 125(6) and the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28), section 12(1) to (4), Schedule 10, paragraph 43, Schedule 11.back

[21] 1997 c. 40; section 5A was inserted by section 12(5) of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28).back

[22] 1995 c. 46; section 234A was inserted by section 11 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (c. 40).back

[23] 1996 c. 27; section 42 was amended by paragraph 36 of Schedule 10 to the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (c. 28) and by paragraph 9 of Schedule 9 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33).back

[24] 1970 c. 42; inserted by paragraph 2(2)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 2004 (c. 42). See the transitional provision made in regulation 67 of these Regulations.back

[25] 2004 c. 31.back

[26] 1970 c. 42; as amended by paragraph 2(2)(b) of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 2004 (c. 42), the amendment not yet being in force.back

[27] 1983 c. 2; subsection (1)(a) was amended by paragraph 14(1) and (2) of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2).back

[28] 1983 c. 2; subsection (1)(aa) was inserted by section 12(8) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[29] Inserted by regulation 11 of these Regulations.back

[30] 1983 c. 2; subsection (1)(ab) was inserted by paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[31] 1983 c. 2; section 9B was inserted by section 10 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[32] Amended by S.I. 2002/1871.back

[33] Regulation 111 was inserted by S.I. 2002/1871 and amended by S.I. 2006/752back

[34] Amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[35] The reference is to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2).back

[36] 1974 c. 23; as amended by paragraph 17 of Schedule 8 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) and paragraph 44 of Schedule 15 to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33).back

[37] 1974 c. 23; subsection (1A) was inserted by paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[38] 1983 c. 2; Schedule 2A was inserted by Schedule 16 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) and paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 2A was inserted by paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[39] Regulation 51B was inserted by S.I. 2006/752.back

[40] Regulation 55 was substituted by S.I. 2006/752.back

[41] Regulation 72 was amended by S.I. 2002/1871 and 2006/752.back

[42] The reference is to Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2).back

[43] The reference is to Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2); paragraph 4(1)(b) was amended by section 14(2)(a) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[44] Regulation 77 was amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[45] Regulation 78 was amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[46] Regulation 93(2) was inserted by S.I. 2002/1871.back

[47] 1985 c.50; section 15 was amended by section 3 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1986 (c. 58) and by paragraph 7 of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26).back

[48] 2000 c. 22; sections 44 and 45 were amended by paragraph 18 of Schedule 21 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).back

[49] Regulation 72 was amended by S.I. 2002/1871 and 2006/752.back

[50] Regulation 85A is inserted by regulation 39 of these Regulations.back

[51] Regulation 51(2) was amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[52] Regulation 51A was inserted by S.I. 2006/752.back

[53] Regulation 60(2) was amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[54] Regulation 61A is inserted by regulation 56 of these Regulations.back

[55] 2000 c. 41; sections 6A to 6D were inserted by section 29 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[56] Regulation 85 was amended by S.I. 2002/1871.back

[57] Paragraph (5) of regulation 85 is inserted by regulation 51 of these Regulations.back

[58] Regulation 53 was amended by S.I. 2001/1700, 2002/881 and 2004/1771.back

[59] S.I. 2002/253.back

[60] 1984 c. 24.back

[61] 1989 c. 44.back

[62] 1954 c. 61.back

[63] 1993 c. 21.back

[64] 1994 c. 17.back

[65] S.I. 2002/254.back

[66] 2000 c. 14.back

[67] 1983 c. 20. The interpretation of "the managers" in section 145(1) has been amended by the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c.17), Schedule 2 Part 2, paragraph 49; S.I. 2001/2469; the Health Authorities Act 1995 (c.17), Schedule 1, paragraph 107(14); the Health Act 1999 (c. 8), sections 41(2) and 65; the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c.19), Schedule 9 paragraph 16; the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), Schedule 4 paragraph 57; the Care Standards Act 2000 (c.14), Schedule 4 paragraph 9.back

[68] Regulation 55 has been amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[69] Regulation 56 has been amended by S.I. 2001/1700 and 2006/752.back

[70] Rule 28(3) in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c.2.) was amended by paragraph 70 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c.22.).back

[71] Paragraph (7) of regulation 72 was inserted by S.I. 2002/1871.back

[72] Paragraph (1) of regulation 91, was amended by SI 2006/752.back

[73] Regulation 118 is inserted by regulation 59 of these Regulations.back

[74] 2000 c. 2.back

[75] Paragraph 5 of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2) was amended by paragraph 22 of Schedule 1 to the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[76] Regulation 56(6) is amended by regulation 60(2) of these Regulations.back

[77] 1998 c. 29.back

[78] Part 6 including regulation 92 was inserted by S.I. 2002/1871.back

[79] Part 6 including regulation 115 was inserted by S.I. 2002/1871. Regulation 115 was amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[80] Regulations 45C, 45D, 45E and 45F are inserted by regulation 18 of these Regulations. Regulation 61 is substituted by regulation 56 of these Regulations. Part 6 including regulations 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 112 and 113 were inserted by S.I. 2002/1871. Regulations 97A and 109A were inserted by S.I. 2006/752. Regulations 96(2), 97(2), (4) and (6), 99(3), (5) and (7), 107(3), 109(3), (8) and (10) were amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[81] The reference is to Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2.). Paragraphs 3(1) and 4(1) were amended by, respectively, section 14(1)(a) and (2)(a) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22).back

[82] Amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[83] The reference is to Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2).back

[84] Amended by S.I. 2006/752.back

[85] 2000 c. 41; sections 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E were inserted by section 29 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c.22).back

[86] S.I. 2001/341.back

[87] 2004 c. 31.back

[88] Regulation 31J is inserted by regulation 12 of these Regulations.back

[89] 1970 c. 42; section 6(1) was amended by paragraph 2(1) and (2)(b) of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 2004 (c. 42).back

[90] 1983 c. 2. Paragraph (aa) of sections 7(3), 7A(3), 7C(2) and 15(2) were inserted by section 12 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c.22) ("the 2006 Act"), section 13B was inserted by paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 c. 2, and amended by section 11 of the 2006 Act, subsection (3C) of section 36 was inserted by section 17 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50), subsection (4) of section 53 was inserted by paragraph 109 of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act, paragraphs (3) to (9) of rule 57 were inserted by section 41 of the 2006 Act, paragraph 2A of Schedule 2 was inserted by section 5 of the Representation of the People Act 1989 (c. 28) and amended by paragraph 24 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c.2) ("the 2000 Act"), paragraph 2B of Schedule 2 was inserted by paragraph 15(3) of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act, paragraph 3A of Schedule 2 was inserted by paragraph 24 of Schedule 1 to the 2000 Act, paragraph 5A was inserted by section 11 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 and amended by paragraph 11 of Schedule 6 to the 2000 Act, paragraph 8A was inserted by paragraph 15(6) of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act, paragraph 10 was amended by section 9 of the 2000 Act and paragraph 15(7) of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act, sub-paragraph (aa) of paragraph 12 of Schedule 2 was inserted by paragraph 94 of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act and sub-paragraph (1A) of paragraph 13 of Schedule 2 was inserted by section 9 of the 2000 Act.back

[91] Section 10A was inserted by paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the 2000 Act, section 13A was inserted by paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the 2000 Act, rule 19A was inserted by section 31(2) of the 2006 Act, rule 24 was substituted by section 37 of the 2006 Act, rule 28(3) was amended by paragraph 70 of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act, rule 31A was inserted by section 45 of the 2006 Act, rule 45(1B) was inserted by paragraph 10 of Schedule 6 to the 2000 Act and amended by paragraphs 69 and 73 of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act, Schedule 2A was inserted by Schedule 16 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) and paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 2A was inserted by paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 to the 2006 Act.back

[92] 1985 c.50; section 2 was substituted by paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 2 to the 2000 Act and subsection (2)(aa) was inserted by section 12(9) of the 2006 Act, section 15 was amended by section 3 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1986 (c. 58) and by paragraph 7 of Schedule 7 to the Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26).back

[93] 2000 c. 22; sections 44 and 45 were amended by paragraph 18 of Schedule 21 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).back

[94] 2000 c. 2; paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Schedule 4 were amended by the 2006 Act.back

[95] Paragraphs 7B and 7D of Schedule 4 were added by section 14(4) of the 2006 Act.back

[96] 2006 c. 22.back



ISBN 0 11 075538 3


 © Crown copyright 2006

Prepared 28 December 2006


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