Representation of the People Act 1983

29 (1) The returning officer shall provide each presiding officer with such number of ballot boxes and ballot papers as in the returning officer’s opinion may be necessary. E+W+S

(2) Every ballot box shall be so constructed that the ballot papers can be put in it, but cannot be withdrawn from it, without the box being unlocked.

(3) The returning officer shall provide each polling station with—

(a) materials to enable voters to mark the ballot papers;

(b) F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) copies of the register of electors or such part of it as contains the [F2 entries relating to] the electors allotted to the station;

(d) the parts of any special lists prepared for the election corresponding to the register of electors or the part of it provided under subparagraph (c) above;

[F3 (e) a list consisting of that part of the list prepared under rule 19A which contains the numbers (but not the other unique identifying marks) corresponding to those on the ballot papers provided to the presiding officer of the polling station];

[F4 (f) in the case of an election held in Northern Ireland, the lists prepared for the polling station under rule 19B.]

[F5 (3ZA) In the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, the returning officer must also provide each polling station with a prescribed form (referred to in these rules as “the ballot paper refusal list”) on which entries are to be made as mentioned in rule 40ZB (refusal to deliver ballot paper: Great Britain).]

[F6 (3A) The returning officer shall also provide each polling station with—

(a) at least one large version of the ballot paper which shall be displayed inside the polling station for the assistance of voters who are partially-sighted; and

[F7 (b) such equipment as it is reasonable to provide for the purposes of enabling, or making it easier for, relevant persons to vote independently in the manner directed by rule 37 (including in relation to voting secretly).]]

[F8 (3B) In this rule, “relevant persons” means persons who find it difficult or impossible to vote in the manner directed by rule 37 because of—

(a) blindness or partial sight, or

(b) another disability.]

(4) A notice in the form in the Appendix, giving directions for the guidance of the voters in voting, shall be printed in conspicuous characters and exhibited inside and outside every polling station.

[F9 (4A) In the case of an election held in England and Wales or Scotland, a large notice must be displayed inside each polling station containing—

(a) details of the documents the voter needs to produce when applying for a ballot paper, namely—

(i) in the case of an elector (other than an elector with an anonymous entry) or a proxy, any of the forms of identification for the time being referred to in rule 37(1H);

(ii) in the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, the elector’s official poll card and an anonymous elector’s document showing the same electoral number as the electoral number shown on the official poll card, and

(b) a statement that further proof of identity may be required to resolve any discrepancy between the name of the holder of a specified form of identification and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be.]

(5) In every compartment of every polling station there shall be exhibited [F10 the notice “Vote for one candidate only. Put no other mark on the ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.”]

[F11 (6) The reference in paragraph (3)(c) to the copies of the registers of electors includes a reference to copies of any notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of this Act in respect of alterations to the register.]

[F12 (7) The reference in paragraph (3)(c) to the copies of the register of electors includes a reference to copies of any notices issued under section 13BA(9) in respect of alterations to the register.]

[F13 (8) The Electoral Commission must give guidance to returning officers in relation to the duty imposed by paragraph (3A)(b).

(9) Before giving guidance under paragraph (8), the Commission must consult such persons, including bodies representing the interests of relevant persons, as they consider appropriate.

(10) In performing the duty imposed by paragraph (3A)(b), a returning officer must have regard to guidance given under paragraph (8).]

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 rule 29(3)(b) repealed (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 47, 74(2), 77, Sch. 1 para. 89, Sch. 2; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(w)(aa)(bb)(iii)(cc)(v) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts 2, 4

F2 Words in Sch. 1 rule 29(3)(c) substituted (E.W.S.) (1.1.2007) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 10(2), 77, Sch. 1 para. 14(4); S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 1, 12(a) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2)

F3 Sch. 1 rule 29(3)(e) inserted (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 31(3), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(o) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 4

F4 Sch. 1 rule 29(3)(f) inserted (31.1.2024) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), s. 67(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(2); S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 4(a) (with Sch. para. 3)

F5 Sch. 1 rule 29(3ZA) inserted (27.8.2022 for specified purposes, 16.1.2023 in so far as not already in force) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), s. 67(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(3); S.I. 2022/916, reg. 2(d)(viii); S.I. 2022/1401, reg. 2(d)(vii) (with reg. 3(1))

F6 Sch. 1 rule 29(3A) inserted (29.1.2001 for certain purposes and 16.2.2001 otherwise) by 2000 c. 2, s. 13(1)(2); S.I. 2001/116, art. 2(1)(2) (with art. 2(4))

F7 Sch. 1 rule 29(3A)(b) substituted (24.11.2022 for specified purposes, 29.12.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 9(2)(a), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(a); S.I. 2022/1270, reg. 2(a) (with reg. 3)

F8 Sch. 1 rule 29(3B) inserted (24.11.2022 for specified purposes, 29.12.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 9(2)(b), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(a); S.I. 2022/1270, reg. 2(a) (with reg. 3)

F9 Sch. 1 rule 29(4A) inserted (16.1.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), s. 67(1), Sch. 1 para. 15(4); S.I. 2022/1401, reg. 2(d)(vii) (with reg. 3(1))

F10 Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 79

F11 Sch. 1 rule 29(6) inserted (E.W.S.) (1.1.2007) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 10(2), 77, Sch. 1 para. 34; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 paras. 1, 12(b) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2)

F12 Sch. 1 rule 29(7) inserted (14.5.2008) by Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), ss. 30(1), 31, Sch. 4 para. 6(2); S.I. 2008/1318, art. 2

F13 Sch. 1 rule 29(8)-(10) inserted (24.11.2022 for specified purposes, 29.12.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 9(2)(c), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(a); S.I. 2022/1270, reg. 2(a) (with reg. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 rule 29 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2 Sch. 1 rule 29 applied with modifications (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C3 Sch. 1 rule 29 applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by 1997 c. 61, s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 13 Table 2

Sch. 1 rule 29 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

C4 Sch. 1 rule 29 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

Sch. 1 rule 29 applied (N.I.) (25.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/1126, art. 6, Sch. 2

C5 Sch. 1 rule 29(5) applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(b)(6)(d)(7)

C6 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2006/3304, Sch. 2 rule 26(5ZA) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Principal Area, Parish and Greater London Authority Elections) (Amendments) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1284), rules 1(1), 3(2)(a)(i)(bb) (with rule 1(2)))

C7 Sch. 1 rule 29 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by The Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599), art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1; and modified (16.2.2011) by Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 (c. 1), s. 19(1), Sch. 8 para. 18)

C8 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2006/3304, Sch. 3 rule 26(6ZA) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Principal Area, Parish and Greater London Authority Elections) (Amendments) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1284), rules 1(1), 3(3)(a)(i)(bb) (with rule 1(2)))

C9 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2006/3305, Sch. 2 rule 26(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Principal Area, Parish and Greater London Authority Elections) (Amendments) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1284), rules 1(1), 4(2)(a)(i)(bb) (with rule 1(2)))

C10 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2006/3305, Sch. 3 rule 26(6A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Principal Area, Parish and Greater London Authority Elections) (Amendments) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1284), rules 1(1), 4(3)(a)(i)(bb) (with rule 1(2)))

C11 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 1 rule 28(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 6(3)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)(5)))

C12 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 3 rule 28(6A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 6(6)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)(5)))

C13 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 3 rule 17(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 8(2)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C14 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 5 rule 17(6A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 8(3)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C15 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 3 rule 17(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 9(2)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C16 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 5 rule 17(6A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 9(3)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C17 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/1917, Sch. 3 rule 29(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 10(3)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C18 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 3 rule 18(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 11(2)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C19 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 5 rule 18(6A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 11(3)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C20 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 7 rule 46(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 11(4)(a)(ii) (with reg. 1(4)))

C21 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2016/295, reg. 19(4A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 12(1)(b) (with reg. 1(4)))

C22 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2017/67, Sch. 1 rule 28(5A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 13(2)(a)(i)(bb) (with reg. 1(4)))

C23 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 2017/67, Sch. 3 rule. 28(6A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Amendments) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1309), regs. 1(3), 13(3)(a)(i)(bb) (with reg. 1(4)))

C24 Sch. 1 rule 29(10) applied (with modifications) (29.12.2022) by S.I. 1987/1, Sch. 1 rule 11(3A) (as inserted by The Assistance with Voting for Persons with Disabilities (Principal Area, Parish and Greater London Authority Elections) (Amendments) Rules 2022 (S.I. 2022/1284), rules 1(1), 2(3)(b) (with rule 1(2)(3)))