Elections Act 2022

Part 2 U.K. Statutory offences

Offences against the Person Act 1861 U.K.

23 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Offences against the Person Act 1861—

(a) section 4 (soliciting murder);

(b) section 16 (threats to kill);

(c) section 18 (wounding with intent);

(d) section 20 (inflicting bodily injury, with or without weapon);

(e) section 21 (attempting to choke etc in order to commit any indictable offence);

(f) section 23 (maliciously administering poison etc so as to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm);

(g) section 28 (causing bodily injury by explosives);

(h) section 29 (using explosives etc with intent to do grievous bodily harm);

(i) section 30 (placing explosives with intent to do bodily injury);

(j) section 35 (drivers of carriages injuring persons by furious driving);

(k) section 42 (common assault or battery);

(l) section 47 (assault occasioning bodily harm).

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 9 para. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I2 Sch. 9 para. 23 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Explosive Substances Act 1883 U.K.

24 An offence under either of the following provisions of the Explosive Substances Act 1883—

(a) section 2 (causing explosion likely to endanger life or property);

(b) section 3 (attempt to cause explosion, or making or keeping explosive with intent to endanger life or property).

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 9 para. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I4 Sch. 9 para. 24 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Theft Act 1968 U.K.

25 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Theft Act 1968—

(a) section 9, where the offence is burglary with intent to—

(i) inflict grievous bodily harm on a person, or

(ii) do unlawful damage to a building or anything in it;

(b) section 10 (aggravated burglary);

(c) section 12A (aggravated vehicle-taking);

(d) section 21 (blackmail).

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 9 para. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I6 Sch. 9 para. 25 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 U.K.

26 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969—

(a) section 9, where the offence is burglary with intent to—

(i) inflict grievous bodily harm on a person, or

(ii) do unlawful damage to a building or anything in it;

(b) section 10 (aggravated burglary);

(c) section 20 (blackmail).

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 9 para. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I8 Sch. 9 para. 26 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Criminal Damage Act 1971 U.K.

27 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Damage Act 1971—

(a) section 1(1) (destroying or damaging property);

(b) section 1(2) (destroying or damaging property intending, or being reckless as to, endangerment of life);

(c) section 1(3) (arson);

(d) section 2 (threats to destroy or damage property).

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 9 para. 27 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I10 Sch. 9 para. 27 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Protection from Eviction Act 1977 U.K.

28 An offence under section 1 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 (unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier).

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 9 para. 28 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I12 Sch. 9 para. 28 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Criminal Law Act 1977 U.K.

29 An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Law Act 1977—

(a) section 6 (violence for securing entry);

(b) section 51 (bomb hoaxes).

Commencement Information

I13 Sch. 9 para. 29 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I14 Sch. 9 para. 29 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 U.K.

30 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Damage (Northern Ireland) Order 1977—

(a) article 3(1) (destroying or damaging property);

(b) article 3(2) (destroying or damaging property intending, or being reckless as to, endangerment of life);

(c) article 3(3) (arson);

(d) article 4 (threats to destroy or damage property).

Commencement Information

I15 Sch. 9 para. 30 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I16 Sch. 9 para. 30 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 U.K.

31 An offence under article 54 of the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier).

Commencement Information

I17 Sch. 9 para. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I18 Sch. 9 para. 31 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 U.K.

32 An offence under article 172A or 172B of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (aggravated vehicle taking).

Commencement Information

I19 Sch. 9 para. 32 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I20 Sch. 9 para. 32 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Taking of Hostages Act 1982 U.K.

33 An offence under section 1 of the Taking of Hostages Act 1982 (hostage taking).

Commencement Information

I21 Sch. 9 para. 33 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I22 Sch. 9 para. 33 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 U.K.

34 An offence under section 22 of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier).

Commencement Information

I23 Sch. 9 para. 34 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I24 Sch. 9 para. 34 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Public Order Act 1986 U.K.

35 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Public Order Act 1986—

(a) section 1 (riot);

(b) section 2 (violent disorder);

(c) section 3 (affray);

(d) section 4 (using threatening or abusive words or behaviour etc with intent to cause fear of violence etc);

(e) section 4A (intentional harassment, alarm or distress);

(f) section 5 (using threatening or abusive words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of someone likely to be caused alarm or distress);

(g) section 18 (racial hatred: use of words or behaviour or display of written material);

(h) section 19 (racial hatred: publishing or distributing written material);

(i) section 20 (racial hatred: public performance of play);

(j) section 21 (racial hatred: distributing, showing or playing a recording);

(k) section 22 (racial hatred: broadcasting or including programme in programme service);

(l) section 29B (religious hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation: use of words or behaviour or display of written material);

(m) section 29C (religious hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation: publishing or distributing written material);

(n) section 29D (religious hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation: public performance of play);

(o) section 29E (religious hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation: distributing, showing or playing a recording);

(p) section 29F (religious hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation: broadcasting or including programme in programme service).

Commencement Information

I25 Sch. 9 para. 35 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I26 Sch. 9 para. 35 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 U.K.

36 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987—

(a) article 9 (racial hatred: use of words or behaviour or display of written material);

(b) article 10 (racial hatred: publishing or distributing written material);

(c) article 11 (racial hatred: distributing, showing or playing a recording);

(d) article 12 (racial hatred: broadcasting or including programme in programme service);

(e) article 18(1)(a) (disorderly behaviour);

(f) article 18(1)(b) (breach of the peace);

(g) article 18(3) (riotous behaviour).

Commencement Information

I27 Sch. 9 para. 36 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I28 Sch. 9 para. 36 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Criminal Justice Act 1988 U.K.

37 An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1988—

(a) section 39(1) (common assault or battery);

(b) section 134 (torture).

Commencement Information

I29 Sch. 9 para. 37 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I30 Sch. 9 para. 37 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Malicious Communications Act 1988 U.K.

38 An offence under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 (sending communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety).

Commencement Information

I31 Sch. 9 para. 38 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I32 Sch. 9 para. 38 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Malicious Communications (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 U.K.

39 An offence under article 3 of the Malicious Communications (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (sending communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety).

Commencement Information

I33 Sch. 9 para. 39 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I34 Sch. 9 para. 39 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 U.K.

40 An offence under section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (intimidation or annoyance by violence or otherwise).

Commencement Information

I35 Sch. 9 para. 40 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I36 Sch. 9 para. 40 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 U.K.

41 An offence under section 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (aggravated trespass).

Commencement Information

I37 Sch. 9 para. 41 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I38 Sch. 9 para. 41 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 U.K.

42 An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995—

(a) section 50A (racially aggravated harassment);

(b) section 52 (vandalism).

Commencement Information

I39 Sch. 9 para. 42 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I40 Sch. 9 para. 42 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Protection from Harassment Act 1997 U.K.

43 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997—

(a) section 2 (harassment);

(b) section 2A (stalking);

(c) section 4 (harassment involving putting a person in fear of violence);

(d) section 4A (stalking involving putting a person in fear of violence).

Commencement Information

I41 Sch. 9 para. 43 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I42 Sch. 9 para. 43 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 U.K.

44 An offence under either of the following provisions of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997—

(a) article 4 (harassment);

(b) article 6 (course of conduct involving putting someone in fear of violence).

Commencement Information

I43 Sch. 9 para. 44 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I44 Sch. 9 para. 44 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Crime and Disorder Act 1998 U.K.

45 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998—

(a) section 29 (racially or religiously aggravated assault);

(b) section 30 (racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage);

(c) section 31 (racially or religiously aggravated offences under section 4, 4A or 5 of the Public Order Act 1986);

(d) section 32 (racially or religiously aggravated harassment or stalking).

Commencement Information

I45 Sch. 9 para. 45 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I46 Sch. 9 para. 45 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Communications Act 2003 U.K.

46 An offence under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 (improper use of public electronic communications network).

Commencement Information

I47 Sch. 9 para. 46 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I48 Sch. 9 para. 46 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Sexual Offences Act 2003 U.K.

47 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003—

(a) section 1 (rape);

(b) section 2 (assault by penetration);

(c) section 3 (sexual assault);

(d) section 62 (committing an offence with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence) where the relevant sexual offence is an offence under section 1, 2, 3 or 66;

(e) section 63 (trespass with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence) where the relevant sexual offence is an offence under section 1, 2, 3 or 66;

(f) section 66 (exposure).

[F1 (g) section 66A (sending etc photograph or film of genitals).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 9 para. 47(g) inserted (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), s. 240(1), Sch. 14 para. 21; S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

Commencement Information

I49 Sch. 9 para. 47 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I50 Sch. 9 para. 47 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 U.K.

48 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008—

(a) article 5 (rape);

(b) article 6 (assault by penetration);

(c) article 7 (sexual assault);

(d) article 66 (committing an offence with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence) where the relevant sexual offence is an offence under article 5, 6, 7 or 70;

(e) article 67 (trespass with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence) where the relevant sexual offence is an offence under article 5, 6, 7 or 70;

(f) article 70 (exposure).

Commencement Information

I51 Sch. 9 para. 48 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I52 Sch. 9 para. 48 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 (asp 9) U.K.

49 An offence under any of the following provisions of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009—

(a) section 1 (rape);

(b) section 2 (sexual assault by penetration);

(c) section 3 (sexual assault);

(d) section 8 (sexual exposure).

Commencement Information

I53 Sch. 9 para. 49 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I54 Sch. 9 para. 49 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13) U.K.

50 An offence under either of the following provisions of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010—

(a) section 38 (threatening or abusive behaviour);

(b) section 39 (stalking).

Commencement Information

I55 Sch. 9 para. 50 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I56 Sch. 9 para. 50 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Serious Crime Act 2015 U.K.

51 An offence under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship).

Commencement Information

I57 Sch. 9 para. 51 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I58 Sch. 9 para. 51 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 14) U.K.

52 An offence under section 3 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (racially aggravated harassment).

Commencement Information

I59 Sch. 9 para. 52 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 67(1)

I60 Sch. 9 para. 52 in force at 1.11.2023 by S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(j)

Online Safety Act 2023 U.K.

[F2 52A An offence under any of the following provisions of the Online Safety Act 2023—

(a) section 179 (false communications);

(b) section 181 (threatening communications);

(c) section 183 (sending or showing flashing images).]

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 9 Pt. 2 para. 52A and cross-heading inserted (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), s. 240(1), Sch. 14 para. 5; S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2