Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013

Completion certificates

15 (1) Where, after the service of a stop notice on a person, the Electoral Commission are satisfied that the person has taken the steps specified in the notice, they must issue a certificate to that effect (a “completion certificate”).

(2) A stop notice ceases to have effect on the issue of a completion certificate relating to that notice.

(3) A person on whom a stop notice is served may at any time apply for a completion certificate.

The Commission must make a decision whether to issue a completion certificate within the period of 14 days of the day on which they receive such an application.

(4) An application for a completion certificate must be accompanied by such information as is reasonably necessary to enable the Commission to determine whether the stop notice has been complied with.

(5) Where, on an application under sub-paragraph (3), the Commission decide not to issue a completion certificate they must notify the applicant and provide the applicant with information as to—

(a) the grounds for the decision not to issue a completion certificate, and

(b) rights of appeal.

(6) The Commission may revoke a completion certificate if it was granted on the basis of inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information.

(7) Where the Commission revoke a completion certificate, the stop notice has effect as if the certificate had not been issued.