Transitional provision: cases where previous MEP elected on behalf of one or more registered parties at a by-election
4.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies in relation to a vacancy in the seat of an MEP if—
(a)the vacancy arose before the date on which these Regulations came into force;
(b)before that date the vacancy was one in respect of which the requirement to send a notice to the returning officer under regulation 82(1) did not apply (as a result of regulation 82(2) of the Principal Regulations); and
(c)the previous MEP was elected at a by-election at which he or she stood on behalf of one or more registered parties.
(2) As soon as practicable after these Regulations come into force, the Secretary of State must send a notice which satisfies the requirements of paragraph 82(4) of the Principal Regulations to the returning officer for the electoral region in which the vacancy exists.
(3) A notice sent under paragraph (2) is to be treated for the purposes of the Principal Regulations as if it were sent under paragraph 82(1) of the Principal Regulations.