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The Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001

Changes over time for: The Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (without Schedules)

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PART IE+WGENERAL, INTERPRETATION AND MISCELLANEOUS

Citation, commencement and extentE+W

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 and shall come into force on 16th February 2001.

(2) These Regulations shall not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I1Reg. 1 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

RevocationsE+W

2.  The instruments listed in column 1 of Schedule 2 to these Regulations (which have the references listed in column 2) are hereby revoked to the extent indicated in column 3 of that Schedule.

Commencement Information

I2Reg. 2 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

InterpretationE+W

3.—(1) For the purposes of these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“1983 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1983(1);

“1985 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1985(2);

“2000 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 2000(3);

[F1“Article 89 GDPR purposes” means the purposes mentioned in Article 89(1) of [F2the UK GDPR] (archiving in the public interest, scientific or historical research and statistics);]

“available for inspection” means available for inspection during ordinary office hours;

“British Council employee” means a person employed by the British Council in a post outside the United Kingdom;

[F3“candidate” has the same meaning as in section 118A of the 1983 Act];

[F4“certificate of anonymous registration” means a certificate issued in pursuance of regulation 45G;]

“Crown servant” means a person who is employed in a post falling within the class or description set out in regulation 14 below;

[F5“data” means information which is recorded with the intention that it should be processed by means of equipment operating automatically in response to instructions given for that purpose;]

[F6“data form” means information which is in a form which is capable of being processed by means of equipment operating automatically in response to instructions given for that purpose;]

[F1“the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);]

[F7“digital service” means the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service, which is the digital service provided by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for (amongst other purposes) the purpose of—

(a)

processing online applications under sections 10ZC and 10ZD of the 1983 Act and online relevant absent voting applications,

(b)

verifying information under regulations 29ZA [F8, 29ZAA, 29ZAB] and 56B, and

(c)

data matching under regulation 32ZBB in respect of the annual canvass for a register of parliamentary electors or local government electors in England or Wales;]

[F6“edited register” has the meaning given in regulation 93(1) below;]

F9...

F9...

F10...

[F11“left behind postal voting document” is a postal voting document relating to a parliamentary election or a local government election in England that is left behind at a polling station or left for the returning officer without being handed in and for which no return of postal voting documents form has been completed;]

“list of overseas electors” means the list prepared under regulation 45 below;

“overseas elector” means a person who has made an overseas elector’s declaration and is registered or entitled to be registered as a parliamentary elector in pursuance of it;

[F12“PCC election” means an election of a police and crime commissioner in accordance with Chapter 6 of Part 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011;]

[F13“previous registration condition” has the same meaning as in section 1A(2) of the 1985 Act;]

[F13“previous residence condition” has the same meaning as in section 1A(3) of the 1985 Act;]

[F14“qualifying Commonwealth citizen” has the same meaning as in section 4(6) of the 1983 Act;]

“register” means the register of electors;

[F15“registration area” means the area for which a registration officer acts;]

“registration officer” means the electoral registration officer;

[F16“relevant absent voting application” has the meaning given in paragraph 1A(7)(a)(i) of Schedule 2 to the 1983 Act;]

[F17“relevant contact details” means—

(a)

an email address;

(b)

a telephone number; or

(c)

an electronic identifier unique to the individual;]

[F18“relevant EU applicant” means an applicant—

(a)

who is a citizen of a member State, and

(b)

who is not, or is not also—

(i)

a citizen of a member State listed in Schedule 6A to the 1983 Act,

(ii)

a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or

(iii)

a citizen of the Republic of Ireland;]

[F19“renewal declaration” means a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1E of the 1985 Act;]

[F11“return of postal voting documents form” has the meaning given in regulation 79A;] and

[F20“the UK GDPR” has the meaning given in section 3(10) of the Data Protection Act 2018].

(2) A reference in these Regulations to a numbered rule in the elections rules shall be construed as a reference to—

(a)the rule of that number in the parliamentary elections rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act in the case of a parliamentary election, or

(b)the corresponding rule in the rules made under section 36 of the 1983 Act in the case of a local government election.

(3) A reference in these Regulations to a form identified by means of a letter shall be construed as a reference to the form so identified in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

[F21(3A) For the purposes of regulations 26, 26A, 26B, F22... F23... 32ZE, 32ZF, 32ZG and 32ZH a document may be given to a person—

(a)by delivering it to the person;

(b)by leaving it at the person’s address; or

(c)by sending it to the person by post.]

[F24(3B) The following documents may be transmitted by an applicant to a registration officer by electronic means—

(a)a document provided in accordance with regulation 18(8)(b), 24A(4) or 26(9B) or (9C);

(b)in relation to an application to which regulation 26A applies which is made by an applicant who is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, a document provided in accordance with regulation 26A(4);

(c)in relation to an application made in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, a document provided in accordance with regulation 26B(2) to (4);

(d)a document provided in accordance with regulations 26C to 26H or 26J;

(e)in relation to an application to which regulation 31G applies which is made by an applicant who is, or who has applied to be, registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, a document provided in accordance with regulation 31G(3);

(f)a document provided in accordance with regulation 51(9) or 56C.]

(4) In the application of these Regulations to the registers which are required to be published not later than 15th February 2001 by section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, as enacted, references to the publication of the revised version are to be read as references to the publication of the register.

Textual Amendments

F11Words in reg. 3(1) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4Reg. 3 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(i))

Commencement Information

I3Reg. 3 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

FormsE+W

4.—(1) The registration officer shall supply free of charge as many forms for use in connection with—

(a)[F25applications made under sections 10ZC(1)(a) and 10ZD(1)(a) of the 1983 Act], and

(b)applications made under Schedule 4 to the 2000 Act and Part IV of these Regulations,

as appear to that officer reasonable in the circumstances to any person who satisfies that officer of his intention to use the forms in connection with an election.

(2) The forms set out in Schedule 3 to these Regulations or forms substantially to the like effect may be used with such variations as the circumstances may require.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7Reg. 4(1)(b) applied (with modifications) (E.) (9.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/323), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 15(5)(c)(ii) and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(i))

C8Reg. 4(1)(b) applied (with modifications) (E.) (18.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/444), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (with reg. 27) (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 16(5)(c)(ii) and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(i))

C9Reg. 4(1)(b) applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended: (6.4.2014) by S.I. 2014/333, regs. 1(6), 10(b) (with reg. 1(7)); (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(ii)); and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(i))

Commencement Information

I4Reg. 4 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Communication of applications, notices etc.E+W

5.—[F26(1)] The requirement in these Regulations that any [F27application, notice [F28, relevant attestation] [F29, renewal declaration] or representation] should be in writing is satisfied where (apart from the usual meaning of that expression) the text of it—

(a)is transmitted by electronic means,

(b)is received in legible form, and

(c)is capable of being used for subsequent reference.

[F30(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to notice of a requirement to register given under regulation 32ZE(1) or notice of a civil penalty given under regulation 32ZF(2).]

[F31(3) In paragraph (1), “relevant attestation” means—

(a)an attestation under regulations 26B(6ZA), 26E, 26F, 26G or 26H;

(b)an attestation under regulation 31J in relation to an application to which regulation 31G applies which is made by an applicant who is, or who has applied to be, registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration;

(c)an attestation under regulation 56C(6).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12Reg. 5 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I5Reg. 5 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Electronic signatures and related certificatesE+W

6.—(1) A requirement in these Regulations for an [F32application, notice or representation] to be signed is satisfied (as an alternative to the signature given by hand) where there is—

(a)an electronic signature incorporated into or logically associated with a particular electronic communication, and

(b)the certification by any person of such a signature.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation an electronic signature is so much of anything in electronic form as—

(a)is incorporated into or otherwise logically associated with any electronic communication or both; and

(b)purports to be so incorporated or associated for the purpose of being used in establishing the authenticity of the communication, the integrity of the communication or both.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation an electronic signature incorporated into or associated with a particular electronic communication is certified by any person if that person (whether before or after the making of the communication) has made a statement confirming that—

(a)the signature,

(b)a means of producing, communicating or verifying the signature, or

(c)a procedure applied to the signature,

is (either alone or in combination with other factors) a valid means of establishing the authenticity of the communication, the integrity of the communication or both.

[F33(4) This regulation does not apply in relation to a relevant absent voting application, for which the general requirements are set out in regulation 51.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16Reg. 6 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I6Reg. 6 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Copies of documentsE+W

7.—[F34(1)] Where a document is made available for inspection under these Regulations, any person may make a copy (whether hand-written or by other means) of the whole or any part of it.

[F35(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the full register.

(3)  A person inspecting the full register may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars included in it,

otherwise than by means of hand-written notes.

(4) A person who inspects the full register and makes a copy of it or records any particulars included in it otherwise than by means of hand-written notes shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(5)  In this regulation “full register” includes—

(a)any part of it; and

(b)any notice published under section 13A(2) [F36,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F37, (3B) or (3D)] of the 1983 Act altering the register.]

[F38(6) Paragraph (1) does not apply to copies of information covered by regulation 61(1) or to any of the documents open to public inspection under regulation 118.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22Reg. 7 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I7Reg. 7 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

TimeE+W

8.—(1) Where the day or last day of the time allowed by these Regulations for the doing of any thing falls on any of the days mentioned in paragraph (3) below, that time shall be extended until the next following day which is not one of those days.

(2) Subject to regulation 56(6) below, in computing any period of not more than 7 days for the purposes of these Regulations any of the days mentioned in paragraph (3) below shall be disregarded.

(3) The days referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) above are a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, F39... Good Friday or a bank holiday.

(4) In paragraph (3) above “bank holiday” means a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(5) in England and Wales.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26Reg. 8 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I8Reg. 8 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F40Official poll card and postal poll card at parliamentary electionsE+W

9.—(1) For the purposes of rule 28(3) of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act, the following forms are hereby prescribed.

(2) The official poll card issued to an elector shall be in Form A.

(3) The official postal poll card issued to an elector shall be in Form A1.

(4) The official poll card issued to the proxy of an elector shall be in Form B.

(5) The official postal poll card issued to the proxy of an elector shall be in Form B1.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I9Reg. 9 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Return and declaration of election expensesE+W

10.—(1) For the purpose of section 75(3) of the 1983 Act, the form of the return of election expenses shall be in Form C and the form of the declaration as to election expenses shall be in Form D.

F41(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The price of a copy of any such return, declaration or [F42any accompanying document] shall be at the rate of 20p for each side of each page.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I10Reg. 10 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Interference with notices etc.E+W

11.  If any person without lawful authority destroys, mutilates, defaces or removes any notice published by the registration officer in connection with his registration duties or any copies of a document which have been made available for inspection in pursuance of those duties, he shall be liable on a summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C30Reg. 11 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I11Reg. 11 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Device referred to in rule 29(3A) (b) of parliamentary elections rulesE+W

F4312.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I12Reg. 12 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Registration of European Parliamentary overseas electorsE+W

F4413.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

PART IIE+WSERVICE AND OVERSEAS ELECTORS' DECLARATIONS

Service declarationsE+W

Qualification for Crown servantE+W

14.  A person (not being a member of the forces within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act) who is employed in the service of the Crown in a post outside the United Kingdom falls within the class or description referred to in section 14(1)(b) of the 1983 Act if he is required to devote his whole working time to the duties of that post and the remuneration of it is paid wholly out of money provided by Parliament.

Commencement Information

I13Reg. 14 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Contents of service declarationE+W

15.—(1) In addition to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) to (f) of section 16 of the 1983 Act(6), a service declaration shall state—

(a)the declarant’s full name and present address,

(b)the grounds on which the declarant claims a service declaration, and

(c)such of the particulars specified in paragraph (2), (3) or (4) below as are relevant to the service qualification claimed by the declarant.

[F45(1A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, paragraph (1)(c) does not apply in a case where the declarant claims a service qualification under section 14(1A) of the 1983 Act (see instead regulation 15A).]

(2) Where the declarant claims a service qualification on the grounds that he is a member of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act) or the spouse [F46or civil partner] of such a member, the service declaration shall state—

(a)the service (whether naval, military or air forces) in which that member serves,

(b)the rank or rating of that member, and

(c)the service number of that member;

and where that member serves in the military forces, the service declaration shall in addition state the regiment or corps in which he serves.

(3) Where the declarant claims a service qualification on the grounds that he is a Crown servant to whom regulation 14 above applies or the spouse [F47or civil partner] of such a servant, the service declaration shall state—

(a)the name of the Government department in which that servant works, F48...

(b)a description of the post of that servant [F49, and

(c)any staff number, payroll number or other similar identifying number of that servant.]

[F50(3A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, the reference to “Government department” in paragraph (3) includes any organisation in which a Crown servant works.]

(4) Where the declarant claims a service qualification on the grounds that he is a British Council employee or the spouse [F51or civil partner] of such an employee, the service declaration shall [F52state—

(a)a description of the post of that employee, and

(b)any staff number, payroll number or other similar identifying number of that employee].

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I14Reg. 15 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F53Contents of service declaration: declarant with a service qualification under section 14(1A) of the 1983 ActE+W

15A—(1) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, a service declaration by a person claiming a service qualification under section 14(1A) of the 1983 Act must include, in addition to the matters specified in regulation 15(1)(a) and (b), such of the particulars specified in paragraph (2), (3) or (4) as are relevant to the declarant.

(2) Where the declarant claims a service qualification on the grounds that a parent or guardian of the declarant is a member of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act) or the spouse or civil partner of such a member, the declaration must state—

(a)the service (whether naval, military or air forces) in which the member serves,

(b)the rank or rating of the member,

(c)the service number of the member, and

(d)where the member serves in the military forces, the regiment or corps in which the member serves.

(3) Where the declarant claims a service qualification on the grounds that a parent or guardian of the declarant is a Crown servant to whom regulation 14 applies or the spouse or civil partner of such a servant, the declaration must state—

(a)the name of the organisation in which the servant works,

(b)a description of the post of the servant, and

(c)any staff number, payroll number or other similar identifying number of the servant.

(4) Where the declarant claims a service qualification on the grounds that a parent or guardian of the declarant is a British Council employee or the spouse or civil partner of such an employee, the declaration must state—

(a)a description of the post of the employee, and

(b)any staff number, payroll number or other similar identifying number of the employee.]

Textual Amendments

[F54Transmission of service declarationE+W

16.  A service declaration—

(a)must be transmitted to the registration officer for the area within which is situated the address specified in the declaration in accordance with section 16(d) of the 1983 Act; and

(b)may be transmitted through the digital service.]

Textual Amendments

Notification by registration officer in respect of service declarationsE+W

17.—(1) Where the registration officer is satisfied that the service declaration is duly made he shall so notify the declarant.

(2) Where the registration officer rejects an application for registration in pursuance of a service declaration because it—

(a)does not contain the particulars required in paragraphs (a) to (f) of section 16 of the 1983 Act and regulation 15 above, or

(b)does not comply with the requirements of sections 14 and 15 of the 1983 Act(7) or, where appropriate, regulation 14 or 16 above,

he shall return the declaration to the declarant setting out his reasons for so doing.

Commencement Information

I15Reg. 17 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Overseas electors' declarationsE+W

[F55Contents of overseas elector’s declarationE+W

18.—(1) In addition to the information required by section 1C(1) to (4) of the 1985 Act, an overseas elector’s declaration must include the information required by this regulation relating to the declarant (‘D’).

(2) The declaration must include an indication as to whether D’s name has changed—

(a)where D applies to be registered in reliance on the previous registration condition, since D was last included in an electoral register;

(b)where D applies to be registered in reliance on the previous residence condition, since D was (as the case may be)—

(i)last resident at the address included in the declaration in accordance with section 1C(3)(a)(i) of the 1985 Act, or

(ii)where section 1C(4) of the 1985 Act applies, last resident in the United Kingdom.

(3) Where in accordance with paragraph (2) an indication is included in the declaration that D’s name has changed, the declaration must also include—

(a)D’s name in respect of which D was last registered or when D was last resident (as the case may be), and

(b)an explanation as to the change of name.

(4) The declaration must include D’s present address.

(5) The declaration must include—

(a)the number and date and place of issue of D’s relevant passport,

(b)if D does not have a relevant passport but was born in the United Kingdom before 1st January 1983, an indication of those facts, or

(c)if D does not have a relevant passport and was not born in the United Kingdom before1st January 1983, a statement as to when and how D acquired the status of British citizen, together with the date, place and country of D’s birth.

(6) In paragraph (5)—

“relevant passport” means a British passport (whether current or expired) which describes D’s national status as “British citizen”;

“the United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in section 50 of the British Nationality Act 1981.

(7) Where D applies to be registered in reliance on the previous registration condition, the declaration must include an indication as to whether when last registered D was registered in pursuance of—

(a)an overseas elector’s declaration,

(b)a service declaration, or

(c)a declaration of local connection.

(8) Where D applies to be registered in reliance on the previous residence condition—

(a)the declaration must include an indication as to whether D was under 18 years old on the last day that D was resident in the United Kingdom, and

(b)where D indicates that D was under 18 years old on that last day, D may provide as part of D’s declaration any information or document described in regulation 26C.

(9) Where section 1C(4) of the 1985 Act applies, the declaration must include—

(a)a statement as to which of the categories of persons, to which section 7B of the 1983 Act (notional residence: declarations of local connection) applies, applied to D on the last date that D was resident in the United Kingdom, and

(b)where section 7B(2)(a) or (b) applied to D, the name and address of the mental hospital (within the meaning of section 7 of the 1983 Act) at which D was a patient, or (as the case may be) of the place at which D was detained, on that date.]

Textual Amendments

Certain declarants to supply copy of birth certificatesE+W

F5619.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Attestation of certain overseas electors' declarationsE+W

F5720.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Transmission of overseas elector’s declarationE+W

21.  An overseas elector’s declaration shall be transmitted to the registration officer for that part of a constituency within which is situated the address specified in the declaration in accordance with [F58section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act by—

(a)the Secretary of State, where the declaration forms part of an application made through the digital service in accordance with regulation 26(9);

(b)otherwise, by the declarant.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I16Reg. 21 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Notification about registration as overseas electorE+W

22.—(1) Where the registration officer is satisfied that the declarant qualifies as an overseas elector under the provisions of [F59section 1A] of the 1985 Act, he shall so notify the declarant.

(2) Where the registration officer rejects an application for registration in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration because—

(a)in his opinion the declarant does not qualify as an overseas elector under [F60section 1A] of the 1985 Act, or

(b)the declaration does not satisfy the requirements of [F61section 1C of the 1985 Act or regulation 18], F62...

F62(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F63the registration officer must notify the declarant in writing and set out the officer’s reasons for rejecting the application for registration.]

F64(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I17Reg. 22 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F65Overseas electors: reminders and renewal declarationsE+W

Textual Amendments

Reminders to electors registered pursuant to an overseas elector’s declarationE+W

22A.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the registration officer must, during the relevant period, send to an elector registered pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration—

(a)a reminder, and

(b)within a reasonable time after sending that reminder, a second reminder.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a)the “relevant period” means the period—

(i)beginningwith the 1st July immediately before the 1st November on which the person’s registration will end in accordance with section 1D(1)(a) or (3)(a) of the 1985 Act, and

(ii)endingwith that 1st November;

(b)a “reminder” is a reminder of the need to make a renewal declaration if the elector wishes to remain registered pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration.

(3) Paragraph (1)(a) and (b) does not apply in respect of an elector registered pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration where—

(a)the registration officer has received a renewal declaration from that elector, or

(b)information which the registration officer has received indicates that that elector is no longer entitled to make a renewal declaration.

Renewal declarationsE+W

22B.—(1) A renewal declaration must be in writing and must include the declarant’s present address.

(2) The Electoral Commission must—

(a)design a paper renewal declaration form which—

(i)requires the information required by paragraph (1) and by section 1E(1) and (2) of the 1985 Act,

(ii)includes a statement that it is an offence to provide false information to the registration officer, together with a statement of the maximum penalty for that offence, and

(iii)includes space for the email address and telephone number of the declarant and an explanation that provision of this information is not mandatory,

(b)seek the approval of the Secretary of State to the design of that form, and

(c)having obtained that approval, make the form available to registration officers.

(3) A registration officer may authorise the declarant to provide the information required by paragraph (1) and by section 1E(1) and (2) of the 1985 Act to the registration officer by telephone or in person and, where the registration officer does so, the registration officer must transfer the information provided by the declarant into a renewal declaration in writing.

(4) Where, by virtue of arrangements made by the Secretary of State, a renewal declaration may be made through the digital service, the Secretary of State must—

(a)request the declarant’s email address and telephone number and provide an explanation of the purpose for which this information will be used and that provision of this information is not mandatory, and

(b)send to the registration officer any declaration the Secretary of State receives, together with—

(i)the declarant’s email address and telephone number (if provided), and

(ii)a reference number unique to that declaration.

Transmission of renewal declarationE+W

22C.  A renewal declaration must be transmitted to the registration officer who maintains the register of parliamentary electors in which the declarant is registered pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration by—

(a)the Secretary of State, where regulation 22B(4)(b) applies;

(b)otherwise, by the declarant.

Notification about continued registration as overseas elector following renewal declarationE+W

22D.—(1) Where the registration officer is satisfied that the declarant of a renewal declaration is entitled to remain registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration in accordance with section 1D(2)(b) of the 1985 Act, the registration officer must notify the declarant of that fact.

(2) Where the registration officer is not so satisfied, the registration officer must notify the declarant of that fact together with the registration officer’s reasons for not being satisfied that the declarant is entitled to remain registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration.]

PART IIIE+WREGISTRATION

Information about electorsE+W

Power to require informationE+W

23.—(1) A registration officer may require any person to give information required for the purposes of that officer’s duties in maintaining registers of parliamentary and local government electors.

[F66(1A) A registration officer may not use the power conferred by paragraph (1) to require a person who has made an application under section 10ZC or 10ZD of the 1983 Act to provide information to assist the registration officer in determining, in connection with that application, whether the applicant is the person named in the application or is entitled to be registered.]

(2) A registration officer is under a duty to require persons to give information required for the purposes of that officer’s duty under section 3(1) of the Juries Act 1974(8).

(3) If any person—

(a)fails to comply with F67...

F67(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

any such requisition of the registration officer as is mentioned in this regulation, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I18Reg. 23 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Evidence as to age and nationality [F68: registration of local government electors in Wales] E+W

24.—[F69(A1) This regulation applies for the purposes of the registration of local government electors in Wales.]

(1) Where a registration officer has doubts about a person’s age or nationality, he may require that person to produce such evidence as is specified in paragraph (2) below for the purposes of registration.

(2) The evidence which the registration officer may require is as follows—

(a)a birth certificate F70...;

(b)a certificate of naturalisation;

F71(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)in any other case—

(i)a document showing that he has become a Commonwealth citizen by virtue of registration; or

(ii)a statutory declaration that he is a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a relevant citizen of the Union [F72or F73... a qualifying foreign citizen].

(3) If any fee is payable in connection with the making of a declaration for the purposes of this regulation, the registration officer shall pay that fee and it shall be treated as part of his registration expenses within the meaning of section 54(1) of the 1983 Act(9).

(4) Any such declaration shall be made available for inspection at the registration officer’s office until the determination of the application for registration and of any objections duly made to it.

[F74(4A) Paragraph (4) does not apply where the declarant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry.]

(5) This regulation does not apply where an application for registration is made in pursuance of a service declaration.

F75(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I19Reg. 24 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F76Evidence as to age and nationality: registration of parliamentary electors and local government electors in EnglandE+W

24A.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where a registration officer has doubts about a person’s (“P’s”) age or nationality, the officer may require P to produce such evidence as specified in paragraph (3) for the purposes of registration as a parliamentary elector or as a local government elector in England.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where an application for registration is made in pursuance of a service declaration.

(3) The evidence which the registration officer may require is—

(a)a birth certificate;

(b)a certificate of naturalisation;

(c)where P has made an overseas elector’s declaration, further evidence of P’s status as a British citizen, including a document showing that P has become a British citizen by virtue of registration;

(d)in any other case—

(i)a document showing that P has become a Commonwealth citizen by virtue of registration, or

(ii)a statutory declaration that P is a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, citizen of the Republic of Ireland, [F77a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights].

(4) Where P has made an overseas elector’s declaration, the registration officer may require a copy of a document referred to in paragraph (3)(a) to (c).

(5) If any fee is payable in connection with the making of a declaration for the purposes of this regulation, the registration officer must pay that fee and it is to be treated as part of the officer’s registration expenses within the meaning of section 54(1) of the 1983 Act.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), any such declaration must be made available for inspection at the registration officer’s office until the determination of the application for registration and of any objections duly made to it.

(7) Paragraph (6) does not apply where the declarant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry.

F78(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

Reminders to electors registered pursuant to a [F79service declaration or declaration of local connection] E+W

25.—(1) This regulation applies in respect of a person registered in pursuance of—

(a)a service declaration; [F80or]

(b)a declaration of local connection; F81...

F81(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Subject to paragraph (4) below, the registration officer shall, during the relevant period, send to a person to whom this regulation applies a reminder of the need to make a fresh declaration if he wishes to remain registered as an elector in pursuance of such a declaration.

[F82(3) In paragraph (2) “the relevant period” means—

(a)except in cases to which sub-paragraph (b) applies, the period beginning nine months after the date when the existing entry in a register of the person in question first takes effect and ending ten months after that date, and

[F83(b)in the case of a person mentioned in section 14(1)(a) or (d) of the 1983 Act (members of the forces and their spouses or civil partners) who is registered in pursuance of a service declaration, the period beginning 57 months after the date when the existing entry in a register of the person in question first takes effect and ending 58 months after that date.]]

[F84(3A) Subject to paragraph (4) below, the registration officer must send a second reminder not less than 21 nor more than 28 days after the date of the sending of the first reminder.]

(4) [F85Paragraphs (2) and (3A) above do] not apply in respect of a person to whom this regulation applies where—

(a)the registration officer has already received from that person a fresh declaration, or

(b)information which the registration officer has received indicates that that person is no longer entitled to make the relevant declaration.

[F86(5) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, paragraphs (6) and (7) apply in the case of a person registered in pursuance of a service declaration made by virtue of a service qualification under section 14(1A) of the 1983 Act.

(6) The registration officer must send to the person a reminder that the person's declaration will cease to have effect, and that the person's entitlement to remain registered will cease, when the person attains the age of 18.

(7) The reminder must be sent as soon as practicable within the period of 3 months ending on the day on which the person attains the age of 18.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I20Reg. 25 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F87Reminders to overseas electors who have an anonymous entryE+W

25ZA.—(1) This regulation applies to each person who—

(a)is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, and

(b)has an anonymous entry.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the registration officer must, during the reminder period, send to a person to whom this regulation applies (“P”) a reminder that—

(a)P’s entitlement to registration will terminate on the determined date, and

(b)if P wishes to remain—

(i)entered in the register anonymously after that date, P must make a fresh application under section 9B(1)(b) of the 1983 Act for an anonymous entry;

(ii)entered in the register after that date without an anonymous entry, P must make a fresh application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act together with a fresh overseas elector’s declaration.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply where the registration officer has already received from P a fresh application under section 9B(1)(b) or section 10ZC of the 1983 Act.

(4) A reminder under paragraph (2) may be sent to P’s address by post or sent to P by electronic means.

(5) In paragraph (2)—

“the determined date” is the date on which P’s entitlement to remain registered will terminate under section 9C(1)(a) of the 1983 Act;

“the reminder period” means the period beginning 3 months before and ending 2 months before the determined date.]

Textual Amendments

[F88Reminders to [F89other] persons who have an anonymous entryE+W

25A.—(1) This regulation applies to each person who has an anonymous entry [F90, other than a person registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration].

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the registration officer must, during the relevant period, send to a person to whom this regulation applies a reminder that—

(a)his entitlement to registration will terminate at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which his entry in the register first took effect;

(b)if he wishes to remain entered in the register after that period, he must make a fresh application for registration in accordance with the requirements prescribed for the purposes of [F91section 10ZC(1)(b) of the 1983 Act];

(c)if he wishes to remain entered in the register anonymously, the application for registration must be accompanied by a fresh application for an anonymous entry.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply where the registration officer has already received from that person a fresh application for registration made in accordance with the requirements prescribed for the purposes of section 10A(1)(a) which is accompanied by a fresh application for an anonymous entry.

(4) In this regulation, “the relevant period” must be construed in accordance with regulation 25(3)(a).]

Textual Amendments

[F92Applications for registrationE+W

26.—(1) An application for registration as a parliamentary or local government elector (or both) under section 10ZC or an application for alteration in respect of address under section 10ZD of the 1983 Act (“an application”) must be in writing and must state—

(a)the applicant’s full name F93...;

(b)except in the case of an application being made in pursuance of a service declaration or an overseas elector’s declaration, the address in respect of which the applicant applies to be registered and at which they are resident on the date of the application;

(c)any address at which the applicant has ceased to reside within 12 months before the date of the application and, where that address is not in the United Kingdom [F94and the application is not being made in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration], an indication of whether the person was registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration during this period;

(d)[F95except in the case of an application being made in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration,] an indication of whether the applicant is resident at any other address, including at any address in respect of which the applicant is currently registered as an elector and in respect of which the applicant claims to be entitled to remain registered;

(e)the applicant’s date of birth or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so and a statement as to whether the applicant is under 18 years old or [F96aged 76 or over];

(f)the applicant’s national insurance number or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so;

[F97(fa)in the case of a relevant EU applicant, an indication as to whether the applicant meets the requirements set out in section 203B of the 1983 Act;]

(g)except in the case of a person applying to be registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, the applicant’s nationality or nationalities or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so;

(h)an indication of whether the applicant requests that their name and address are omitted from the edited version of the register;

(i)in the case of an applicant whose application is accompanied by an application for an anonymous entry, that fact;

(j)a declaration by the applicant that the information provided in the application is true; and

(k)the date of the application.

[F98(1A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, where the applicant is not able to provide the applicant's date of birth, the statement referred to in paragraph (1)(e) must indicate whether the applicant is—

(a)under the age of 16,

(b)aged 16 or 17, or

(c)aged 18 or over.]

(2) In the case of a person applying to be registered as a parliamentary or local government elector (or both) in pursuance of a service declaration, a declaration of local connection or an overseas elector’s declaration, an application under paragraph (1) must include the appropriate declaration.

(3) The Electoral Commission must design a paper application form which requires the information and declarations in paragraphs (1) [F99, (1A)] and (2) and includes—

(a)a statement that the information provided in the application will be processed in accordance with [F100the data protection legislation] and as to what information will appear on the electoral register;

[F101(b)a statement that persons without lawful immigration status are ineligible to register to vote, that registration officers may request checks in relation to an applicant’s immigration status against Home Office records, and that, for persons applying to register as EU citizens with retained rights only, this may include checks in relation to historical immigration status;

(ba)a statement that the following are ineligible to register to vote as local government electors—

(i)in relation to registration in England, persons who are not Commonwealth citizens, citizens of the Republic of Ireland, qualifying EU citizens or EU citizen with retained rights, or

(ii)in relation to registration in Wales, persons who are not Commonwealth citizens, citizens of the Republic of Ireland, relevant citizens of the Union or qualifying foreign citizens;

(bb)a statement that registration officers may require the applicant to provide additional information in relation to nationality, may carry out checks against Government records, and that, for persons applying to register as EU citizens with retained rights only, this may include checks in relation to historical nationality;

(bc)a statement that, for applicants in Wales, the application requirement under paragraph (1)(fa) is relevant only in relation to eligibility to vote in PCC elections and not in relation to entitlement to register under section 4 of the 1983 Act;]

(c)a statement that it is an offence to provide false information to the registration officer, together with a statement of the maximum penalty for that offence;

[F102(ca)a statement that failure to provide an address at which the applicant has ceased to reside within 12 months before the date of the application or any other mandatory information required on the form may delay the registration process;]

(d)space for a bar code, local authority reference number and security code unique to each form;

(e)space for the email address and telephone number or numbers of the applicant and an explanation that provision of this information is not mandatory;

[F103(ea)space for the applicant to provide their most recent previous name (if they have one) and an explanation that provision of this information is not mandatory but may assist the registration officer in verifying the applicant’s identity, and that if the information is not provided then additional personal information may be required;]

F104(eb). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f)space for the registration officer to include local authority information and details of how the registration officer may be contacted;

(g)an indication of whether the applicant wishes to be able to cast an absent vote;

(h)an explanation of what the edited register is, using the short version of the form of words prescribed by regulation 45 of and Schedule 3 to the Representation of the People (England and Wales)(Description of Electoral Registers and Amendment) Regulations 2013; and

(i)the web site address of the digital service.

[F105(3A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, the paper application form under paragraph (3) must also include an explanation of how information about applicants under the age of 16 will be held and used.]

(4) The paper application form for persons applying to be registered in pursuance of a service declaration must—

(a)instead of the information required in paragraph (1)(b), request the applicant’s correspondence address or British Forces Post Office Number;

(b)in the case of an application in pursuance of a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant is a member of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act) or the spouse or civil partner of a member of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act), also include a statement that the applicant must renew their application for registration every 5 years but may cancel it at any time;

[F106(c)[F107in relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales,] not include space for the information mentioned in paragraph (3)(eb).]

[F108(5) The paper application form for persons applying to be registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration must—

[F109(za)instead of the statement required in paragraph (3)(ba) [F110to (bc)], include a statement that, in relation to an applicant’s nationality, registration officers may require the applicant to provide additional information or may carry out checks against Government records, and

(zb)include space for the address at which the applicant can be contacted.]

F111(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F112(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[F113(5A) The paper application form for persons applying to be registered [F114as a local government elector in Wales] in pursuance of a declaration of local connection must not include space for the information mentioned in paragraph (3)(eb).]

(6) The Electoral Commission must obtain the approval of the [F115Secretary of State] to the design of the application forms under paragraphs [F116(3) to (5A)] and must then make the forms available to registration officers.

[F117(6A) Before giving approval under paragraph (6) in respect of the design of forms under paragraphs (3), (4) and (5A), the [F118Secretary of State] must consult the Welsh Ministers.]

(7) Where a registration officer gives a paper application form to a person resident in England or Wales, it must be accompanied by a pre-addressed reply envelope, return postage of which must be prepaid.

(8) A registration officer may authorise the applicant to provide the information required by paragraph (1) to the registration officer by telephone or in person and, where the officer does so, the registration officer must—

(a)provide the applicant with an explanation of what the edited register is, using the short version of the form of words prescribed by regulation 45 of and Schedule 3 to the Representation of the People (England and Wales)(Description of Electoral Registers and Amendment) Regulations 2013; and

(b)transfer the information provided by the applicant into an application in writing.

(9) [F119Where, by virtue of arrangements made by the [F120Secretary of State], an application under paragraph (1) may be made through the digital service, the [F121Secretary of State]] must request the applicant’s email address and telephone number or numbers and provide an explanation of the purpose for which this information will be used.

[F122(9A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, paragraphs (1)(f) and (8)(a) do not apply in the case where the applicant is under the age of 16.]

[F123(9B) Where—

(a)an applicant makes an application in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, and

(b)the applicant is unable to provide a national insurance number in accordance with paragraph (1)(f),

the applicant may provide as part of the application a copy of any of the documents listed in regulation 26B(2) to (4).

(9C) Where an applicant makes an application in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration in reliance upon the previous residence condition, the applicant may provide as part of the application a copy of any document which meets the evidential requirement described in regulation 26D(3).]

F124(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(11) The [F125Secretary of State] must send to the registration officer any application he receives [F126, subject to paragraph (12),] together with—

[F127(za)any copy documentation provided by the applicant in accordance with paragraph (9B) or (9C);]

(a)the applicant’s email address and telephone numbers (if provided); and

(b)a reference number unique to that application.

[F128(12) Where an application made through the digital service in accordance with paragraph (9) includes the applicant’s national insurance number the Secretary of State—

(a)may send the registration officer that application without the national insurance number, and

(b)where the Secretary of State does so, must indicate to the registration officer that a national insurance number was included when the application was made by the applicant.]]

Textual Amendments

[F129Application for alteration of register in respect of name under section 10ZDE+W

26A.—(1) An application for alteration in respect of name under section 10ZD of the 1983 Act must be in writing and must state—

(a)the applicant’s full name;

(b)the full name in respect of which the applicant is currently registered;

(c)the date of the change of name;

(d)the address in respect of which the applicant is registered;

(e)a declaration by the applicant that the information provided in the application is true;

(f)the date of the application.

(2) The Electoral Commission must design a form for applications for alteration in respect of name under section 10ZD of the 1983 Act, which requires the information in paragraph (1) and includes—

(a)a statement that the information provided in the application will be processed in accordance with [F130the data protection legislation] and as to what information will appear on the electoral register;

(b)space for a bar code, local authority reference number and security code unique to each form; and

(c)space for the registration officer to include local authority information and details of how the registration officer may be contacted.

(3) The Electoral Commission must obtain the approval of the [F131Secretary of State] to the design of the application form under paragraph (2) and must then make the form available to registration officers.

[F132(3A) Before giving approval under paragraph (3), the [F133Secretary of State] must consult the Welsh Ministers.]

(4) A person making an application for alteration in respect of name under paragraph (1) must give to the registration officer as part of their application [F134documentary evidence of the applicant’s change of name].

(5) Where a person is unable to provide [F135any documentary evidence], they must provide their date of birth and national insurance number as part of their application or, if they are not able to provide their date of birth or national insurance number, the reason why they are not able to do so.

(6) Where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the officer may require that the applicant provide the original of [F136any copy document] provided under paragraph (4) after the application has been made.

Textual Amendments

Power to request additional evidence where certain information is unavailable or where the registration officer considers it necessaryE+W

26B.—(1) [F137Subject to paragraph (1A), this] regulation applies where a registration officer considers additional evidence is necessary to verify the identity of a person or determine their entitlement to register in respect of their application under section 10ZC or 10ZD of the 1983 Act, including where that is necessary because the person is not able to state the information required by any of sub-paragraphs (e), (f) or (g) of regulation 26(1).

[F138(1A) Where a person has made an application to be registered as an overseas elector under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act, this regulation only applies to the extent that a registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary to verify the identity of the applicant (see regulations 24A and 26C to 26H for further provision in relation to overseas electors).]

(2) The registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of one of the following documents—

(a)the applicant’s passport;

(b)the applicant’s identity card issued in the European Economic Area;

(c)the applicant’s biometric immigration document issued in the United Kingdom in accordance with regulations made under section 5 of the Borders Act 2007;

(d)the applicant’s electoral identity card issued in Northern Ireland; or

(e)the applicant’s photocard driving licence granted in the United Kingdom or driving licence granted by a Crown Dependency, which bears a photograph of the applicant.

(3) Where an applicant is not able to give one of the documents in paragraph (2), the registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of—

(a)one of the following documents, which, except in relation to paragraph (vii), must have been issued in the United Kingdom or Crown Dependencies—

(i)the applicant’s birth certificate;

(ii)the applicant’s marriage or civil partnership certificate;

(iii)the applicant’s adoption certificate;

(iv)the applicant’s firearms certificate granted under the Firearms Act 1968;

(v)the record of a decision on bail made in respect of the applicant in accordance with section 5(1) of the Bail Act 1976;

(vi)the applicant’s driving licence, which is not in the form of a photocard; or

(vii)the applicant’s driving licence granted other than in the United Kingdom or Crown Dependencies, which bears a photograph of the applicant and which must be valid for at least 12 months from the date the applicant entered the United Kingdom; and

(b)two other documents, each of which may be either from sub-paragraph (a) or from paragraph (4).

(4) Where the applicant is not able to give documents in accordance with paragraph (3), the registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of four documents, each of which may be any of the following kinds of evidence and which must bear the applicant’s full name—

(a)a financial statement, including but not limited to—

(i)a mortgage statement;

(ii)a bank or building society statement or a letter from a bank or building society confirming that the applicant has opened an account with that bank or building society;

(iii)a credit card statement;

(iv)a pension statement;

(b)a council tax demand letter or statement;

(c)a utility bill;

(d)a Form P45 or Form P60 issued to the applicant by their employer or former employer;

(e)a statement of benefits or entitlement to benefits, such as a statement of child benefit, within the meaning of section 141 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, or a letter confirming that the applicant is entitled to housing benefit, within the meaning of section 130 of that Act.

[F139(4A) Where an application is made in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration—

(a)paragraph (3) applies as if, in sub-paragraph (a)(vii), the words from “and which must” to “Kingdom” were omitted;

(b)paragraph (4) applies as if after “kinds of evidence” there were inserted “, must have been issued in the United Kingdom or Crown Dependencies”.]

(5) If an applicant is unable to give the documentary evidence required under paragraphs (2) to (4), the registration officer may [F140—

(a)except where sub-paragraph (b) applies, require the applicant give an attestation as set out in paragraph (6);

(b)where the application is made in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, require the applicant give an attestation as set out in paragraph (6ZA).]

(6) An attestation must—

(a)confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application;

(b)state that the person signing the attestation is aware of the penalty for providing false information to a registration officer;

(c)be in writing and signed by a person—

(i)whom the registration officer is satisfied is of good standing in the community;

(ii)who is registered as an elector [F141in a local authority area in England or Wales];

(iii)who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant; F142...

[F143(iv)[F144in relation to an application for registration as a local government elector in Wales] who has not already signed attestations under this regulation for two applicants since, whichever is the later,—

(aa)the date on which the revised register in which that person’s name appears was last published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act; or

[F145(bb)the date on which a notice specifying that person’s entry in the register was issued under (as the case may be) section 13A(2), 13AB(2), 13B or 13BC of that Act (and if there has been more than one such notice, the date on which the last one was issued)]] [F146; and

(v)in relation to any other application for registration to which this paragraph applies, who has not already signed a relevant identity attestation for two other applicants since, whichever is the later,—

(aa)the date on which the revised register in which the attestor’s name appears was last published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, or

(bb)the date on which a notice specifying the attestor’s entry in the register was issued under (as the case may be) section 13A(2), 13AB(2), 13B or 13BC of that Act (and if there has been more than one such notice, the date on which the last one was issued)];

(d)state the full name, date of birth, address, electoral number and occupation of the person signing the attestation; and

(e)state the date on which it is made.

[F147(6ZA) An attestation under this paragraph must—

(a)confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application,

(b)be in writing and signed by a qualifying attestor,

(c)state the qualifying attestor’s full name, date of birth, occupation, residential address and (if different) the address in respect of which the qualifying attestor is registered as an elector,

(d)state—

(i)where the qualifying attestor is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, the attestor’s British or Irish passport number together with its date and place of issue;

(ii)otherwise—

(aa)where the qualifying attestor is registered in respect of an address in Northern Ireland and has been allocated a digital registration number in accordance with section 10B of the 1983 Act (register of electors in Northern Ireland: digital registration number), that digital registration number,

(bb)in all other cases, the qualifying attestor’s electoral number,

(e)include an explanation as to the qualifying attestor’s ability to confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application, including (but not limited to) the qualifying attestor’s connection to the applicant and the length of time that that connection has existed,

(f)include—

(i)an indication that the qualifying attestor is aware of section 13D(1) of the 1983 Act (offence of provision of false information to a registration officer), and

(ii)a declaration by the qualifying attestor that all information provided in the attestation is true, and

(g)state the date on which it is made.

(6ZB) In paragraph (6ZA), a “qualifying attestor” is a person—

(a)who is aged 18 or over,

(b)who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant,

(c)who is registered as an elector,

(d)except where the person is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, whom the registration officer is satisfied is of good standing in the community, and

(e)who has not already signed a relevant identity attestation for two other applicants since, whichever is the later,—

(i)the date on which the revised register in which the attestor’s name appears was last published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, or

(ii)the date on which a notice specifying the attestor’s entry in the register was issued under (as the case may be) section 13A(2), 13AB(2), 13B or 13BC of that Act (and if there has been more than one such notice, the date on which the last one was issued).

(6ZC) In paragraphs (6)(c)(v) and (6ZB)(e), a relevant identity attestation is an attestation provided in accordance with—

(a)paragraph (6) or (6ZA);

(b)regulation 56C(5A) or (6);

(c)regulation 26B(6) or (6ZA) or 56C(5A) or (6) of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001;

[F148(ca)regulation 25A(3) of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008;]

(d)paragraph 16C(5) of Schedule 2 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012;

(e)regulation 72B(5A) or (6) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016;

(f)regulation 7(6) of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022.]

[F149(6A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, paragraphs (2) to (6) do not apply in the case where the applicant is under the age of 16 if—

(a)there is information available to the registration officer from any educational record relating to the applicant, and

(b)that information is sufficient to satisfy the registration officer as to the applicant's identity and entitlement to be registered.]

(7) Paragraphs (2) to [F150(6A)] do not apply where the application is made pursuant to the following declarations—

(a)a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant is a Crown servant (within the meaning of regulation 14) or the spouse or civil partner of a Crown servant (within the meaning of regulation 14);

(b)a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant is a member of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act);

(c)a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant is the spouse or civil partner of a member of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act);

[F151(ca)in relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant has a service qualification under section 14(1A) of the 1983 Act;] or

F152(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) In the case of an application in pursuance of a declaration within paragraph (7)(a) or (c), the registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of one of the following documents, which has been certified by a Crown servant (within the meaning of regulation 14) or British Council employee or an officer of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act) who is not the applicant’s spouse or civil partner—

(a)the applicant’s passport; or

(b)the applicant’s identity card issued in the European Economic Area.

(9) In the case of an application in pursuance of a declaration within paragraph (7)(b), the registration officer may require that the applicant give an attestation which must—

(a)confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application;

(b)be in writing and signed by an officer of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act) who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant;

(c)state the full name, address and rank of the person signing the attestation and the service (whether naval, military or air forces) in which they serve; and

(d)state the date on which it is made.

[F153(9A) In the case of an application in pursuance of a service declaration within paragraph (7)(ca), the registration officer may require that the applicant give the officer one of the following documents or a copy of one of them certified by a relevant official—

(a)the applicant's passport, or

(b)the applicant's identity card issued in the European Economic Area.

(9B) In paragraph (9A), “relevant official” means—

(a)a Crown Servant (within the meaning of regulation 14),

(b)a British Council employee, or

(c)an officer of the forces (within the meaning of section 59(1) of the 1983 Act),

who is not the applicant's parent, guardian, spouse or civil partner.]

F154(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F155(10A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in England, where a registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to determine whether the applicant is a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, the registration officer may require that the applicant provide them with one or both of the following—

(a)information enabling the registration officer to verify the applicant’s current or historical immigration status by electronic means, or

(b)a letter or document issued by the Home Office which indicates the current or historical immigration status of the applicant.

(10B) Where a registration officer has requested additional evidence under paragraph (10A) to determine whether a relevant EU applicant is an EU citizen with retained rights and either—

(a)the applicant is not able to provide the requested information, or

(b)otherwise, the registration officer considers it appropriate,

the registration officer may request a statement of eligibility from the applicant.

(10C) A statement of eligibility under paragraph (10B) must be in writing and—

(a)must include—

(i)the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and the address in respect of which the applicant applies to be registered,

(ii)the applicant’s full name as at IP completion day and, if different from the name provided under paragraph (i), an explanation for that difference,

(iii)confirmation that the applicant is aware that it is an offence to provide false information to the registration officer, and of the maximum penalty for that offence, and

(iv)the date on which it was made;

(b)must, where required by the registration officer, also include any or all of the following—

(i)the date on which the applicant initially resided in the United Kingdom,

(ii)the nationality of the applicant as at IP completion day,

(iii)the immigration status held by the applicant as at IP completion day,

(iv)the applicant’s current immigration status,

(v)details of any other forms of immigration status held by the applicant since IP completion day,

(vi)details of any addresses in the United Kingdom at which the applicant has resided since IP completion day, and

(c)may include any other information or be accompanied by any documentary evidence relating to the applicant’s status as an EU citizen with retained rights.]

(11) Where a registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to determine whether the applicant is a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, the registration officer may require that the applicant provide evidence relating to the applicant’s immigration status, including, if applicable, the applicant’s biometric immigration document issued in the United Kingdom.

(12) In this regulation—

(a)“Crown Dependency” means the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man;

F156(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

[F157EU citizens: power to request additional evidence of immigration status or historical residency for purposes of determining eligibility to vote in a PCC election in Wales E+W

26BA.—(1) Where a registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to determine whether a person who is a citizen of a member State and who makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in Wales is eligible to vote in a PCC election, the registration officer may require that person to provide the registration officer with one or both of the following—

(a)information enabling the registration officer to verify the person’s current or historical immigration status by electronic means;

(b)a letter or document issued by the Home Office which indicates the current or historical immigration status of the person.

(2) Paragraphs (10B) and (10C) of regulation 26B apply following a request under paragraph (1) as they apply following a request under paragraph (10A) of that regulation.

Textual Amendments

EU citizens: power to request additional evidence as to change of name E+W

26BB.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where—

(a)a person has made an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act to register as a local government elector, and

(b)the applicant’s name on an electronic certificate or document provided in accordance with regulation 26B(10A) to (10C) or 26BA is different from the name provided in accordance with regulation 26(1)(a).

(2) Where this paragraph applies, the registration officer may require the applicant to provide—

(a)an explanation as to the difference in name, and

(b)such other evidence as the officer considers appropriate that confirms the change of the applicant’s name.]

Textual Amendments

[F158Overseas electors: power to request additional evidence where applicant under 18 when last resident in the United KingdomE+W

26C.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a)a person makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”),

(b)in accordance with regulation 18(8), the applicant has given an indication that the applicant was under 18 years old on the last day, and

(c)the registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to satisfy the registration officer that the applicant was resident at the relevant address.

(2) The registration officer may require the applicant to provide—

(a)the full name of a parent or guardian of the applicant who was resident at the relevant address on the last day;

(b)in respect of each such parent or guardian, an indication as to whether that parent or guardian was registered, in respect of the relevant address, in a register of parliamentary electors or a register of local government electors on the last day.

(3) Where the applicant provides the full name of a parent in accordance with paragraph (2)(a), the applicant must also provide a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate which shows the name of the applicant’s parent provided in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) and the applicant’s date of birth.

(4) Where the applicant provides the full name of a guardian in accordance with paragraph (2)(a), the registration officer must require the applicant to provide such other kind of evidence as the officer considers appropriate that confirms that the person named in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) was the guardian of the applicant.

(5) Where the applicant provides a copy of a document in accordance with paragraph (3) or (4), the registration officer may, if the registration officer considers it appropriate, require the applicant to provide the original document.

(6) In this regulation—

“last day” means the last day on which the applicant was resident in the United Kingdom;

“relevant address” means the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act.

Textual Amendments

Overseas electors: power to request additional evidence of previous residenceE+W

26D.—(1) This regulation applies where a registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to satisfy the registration officer that a person who makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”)—

(a)where the declaration is made in reliance on the previous registration condition, was previously entered in an electoral register in respect of the relevant address;

(b)where the declaration is made in reliance on the previous residence condition—

(i)was resident at the relevant address on the last day that the applicant was resident in the United Kingdom, or

(ii)was not resident at the relevant address but could have made a declaration under section 7B of the 1983 Act (declaration of local connection) in respect of that address on the last day that the applicant was resident in the United Kingdom.

(2) The registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of any document which meets the evidential requirement.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), the “evidential requirement” in relation to a document is that the document—

(a)bears the full current or previous name of the applicant, and

(b)bears the relevant address.

(4) Any of the following documents which meets the evidential requirement in paragraph (3) is deemed to be conclusive evidence that the statement in paragraph (1)(a), (b)(i) or (b)(ii) (as the case may be) applies in respect of the applicant—

(a)a driving licence granted in the United Kingdom (including an expired licence);

(b)an instrument of a court appointment, such as a grant of probate or letters of administration;

(c)a letter from the Office of the Public Guardian confirming the registration of a lasting power of attorney;

(d)a letter from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;

(e)a council tax demand letter or statement;

(f)a rent book issued by a local authority;

(g)a statement of benefits or entitlement to benefits, such as a statement of child benefit, within the meaning of section 141 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, or a letter confirming that the applicant is entitled to housing benefit, within the meaning of section 130 of that Act;

(h)a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions, confirming the applicant’s entitlement to a state pension;

(i)a letter from a school, college, university or other educational institution which confirms the attendance of, or the offer of a place for, the applicant at that institution;

(j)a letter from the Student Loans Company;

(k)an official copy of the land register entry for the relevant address or other proof of title for the relevant address;

(l)a solicitor’s letter confirming the purchase of, or confirmation of the land registry registration of, the relevant address;

(m)a Form P45, Form P60, reference or payslip issued to the applicant by their employer or former employer;

(n)a bank or building society passbook or statement, or a letter from a bank or building society confirming that the applicant has opened an account with that bank or building society;

(o)a credit card statement;

(p)a utility or mobile telephone bill;

(q)a letter from an insurance provider.

(5) In this regulation, “relevant address” means the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act.

Textual Amendments

Overseas electors: power to request attestation as to applicant’s previous residence at relevant addressE+W

26E.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a)a person makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”),

(b)the registration officer has required the applicant to provide additional evidence in accordance with regulation 26D, and

(c)the registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to satisfy the registration officer that the applicant was resident at the relevant address, including where the applicant is unable to provide the evidence required under regulation 26D(2).

(2) The registration officer may require that the applicant give an attestation of previous residence which must—

(a)confirm that the applicant was resident at the relevant address, and

(b)give an indication of the dates between which, to the best of the qualifying attestor’s knowledge, the applicant was resident at that address.

(3) In this regulation—

“qualifying attestor” has the meaning given in regulation 26I(3);

“relevant address” means the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act.

Textual Amendments

Overseas electors: power to request additional evidence as to applicant’s previous registration in pursuance of a service declaration or overseas elector’s declaration or as a merchant seamanE+W

26F.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a)a person makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”) in reliance on the previous registration condition,

(b)the applicant claims that the registration referred to in section 1A(2)(a) of the 1985 Act was—

(i)in pursuance of a service declaration,

(ii)on the basis that the applicant was treated as being resident at the relevant address in accordance with section 6 of the 1983 Act (residence: merchant seamen), or

(iii)in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration made in reliance upon the previous registration condition, where paragraph (i) or (ii) applies to the registration referred to in section 1A(2)(a) of the 1985 Act in respect of that declaration,

(c)the registration officer has required the applicant to provide additional evidence in accordance with regulation 26D, and

(d)the registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to satisfy the registration officer that the applicant was previously entered in an electoral register in respect of the relevant address, including where the applicant is unable to provide the evidence required under regulation 26D(2).

(2) The registration officer may require that the applicant—

(a)give the registration officer a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of any document which—

(i)bears the full name of the applicant, as provided in accordance with section 1C(1)(a) of the 1985 Act or regulation 18(3)(a), and

(ii)confirms that the applicant met the registration status requirement;

(b)give an attestation of registration status which must—

(i)confirm that the applicant met the registration status requirement, and

(ii)give an indication of the dates between which, to the best of the qualifying attestor’s knowledge, the applicant met the requirement.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies where the applicant’s registration referred to in section 1A(2)(a) of the 1985 Act was in pursuance of a service declaration by virtue of a service qualification related to another person (‘B’), as described in section 14(1)(d) or (e) or (1A) of the 1983 Act.

(4) In addition to or instead of a requirement under paragraph (2)(a), the registration officer may require the applicant to give the registration officer a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original of any document which bears the full current or former name of B and confirms—

(a)B’s service qualification under section 14(1) of the 1983 Act;

(b)that B is or was (as the case may be) the spouse, civil partner, parent or guardian of the applicant.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, “the registration status requirement”—

(a)where paragraph (1)(b)(i) applies (including where it applies in accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(iii)), is that the applicant had a service qualification under section 14(1) or (1A) of the 1983 Act;

(b)where paragraph (1)(b)(ii) applies (including where it applies in accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(iii)), is that the applicant was a merchant seaman within the meaning of section 6 of the 1983 Act.

(6) In this regulation—

“qualifying attestor” has the meaning given in regulation 26I(3);

“relevant address” means the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(2)(a)(i) of the 1985 Act.

Textual Amendments

Overseas electors: power to require additional evidence as to declaration of local connectionE+W

26G.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a)a person makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”) in reliance upon the previous registration condition,

(b)the applicant claims that the registration referred to in section 1A(2)(a) of the 1985 Act was—

(i)in pursuance of a declaration under section 7B of the 1983 Act (declaration of local connection), or

(ii)in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration made in reliance upon the previous registration condition, where paragraph (i) of this sub-paragraph or paragraph (2)(a) applies to the registration referred to in section 1A(2)(a) of the 1985 Act in respect of that declaration,

(c)the registration officer has required the applicant to provide additional evidence in accordance with regulation 26D, and

(d)the registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to satisfy the registration officer that the applicant was previously entered in an electoral register in respect of the relevant address, including where the applicant is unable to provide the evidence required under regulation 26D(2).

(2) This regulation also applies where—

(a)a person makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”) in reliance upon the previous residence condition by virtue of section 1A(3)(b)(ii) of the 1985 Act,

(b)the registration officer has required the applicant to provide additional evidence in accordance with regulation 26D, and

(c)the registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to satisfy the registration officer that, on the last date that the applicant was resident in the United Kingdom, section 7B of the 1983 Act applied to the applicant, including where the applicant is unable to provide the evidence required under regulation 26D(2).

(3) The registration officer may require that the applicant—

(a)give the registration officer a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of any document which—

(i)bears the full name of the applicant, as provided in accordance with section 1C(1)(a) of the 1985 Act or regulation 18(3)(a), and

(ii)confirms that the applicant met the local connection requirement;

(b)give an attestation of local connection which must—

(i)confirm on which basis the applicant met the local connection requirement, and

(ii)give an indication of the dates between which, to the best of the qualifying attestor’s knowledge, the applicant met the requirement.

(4) The local connection requirement is—

(a)where section 7B(2)(a) of the 1983 Act applied to the applicant, that—

(i)the applicant was a patient in a mental hospital (within the meaning of that section), and

(ii)section 3A of the 1983 Act (disenfranchisement of offenders detained in mental hospitals) or section 7A of the 1983 Act (residence: persons remanded in custody etc.) did not apply to the applicant;

(b)where section 7B(2)(b) of the 1983 Act applied to the applicant, that—

(i)the applicant was detained at any place pursuant to a relevant order or direction, and

(ii)the applicant was so detained otherwise than after being convicted of any offence or a finding in criminal proceedings that the applicant did the act or made the omission charged;

(c)where section 7B(2)(c) of the 1983 Act applied to the applicant, that the applicant—

(i)was not in legal custody, and

(ii)was not, for the purposes of section 4 of the 1983 Act, resident at any address in the United Kingdom;

(d)where section 7B(2A) of the 1983 Act applied to the applicant, that—

(i)the applicant was under the age of 18 years and was a child who was looked after by a local authority, or

(ii)the applicant was being kept in secure accommodation.

(5) In paragraph (4)—

(a)for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a)(ii), it is to be assumed that sections 3A and 7A of the 1983 Act were in force at any relevant time;

(b)in sub-paragraph (b)(i), “relevant order or direction” has the meaning given in section 7A(6) of the 1983 Act;

(c)section 7B(2D) of the 1983 Act applies to sub-paragraph (d) as it applies to section 7B(2B) of that Act.

(6) In this regulation—

“qualifying attestor” has the meaning given in regulation 26I(3);

“relevant address” means the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(2)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act.

Textual Amendments

Overseas electors: power to require attestation as to applicant’s connection to relevant addressE+W

26H.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this regulation applies where—

(a)a person makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”),

(b)the registration officer requires the applicant to give documentary evidence or an attestation in accordance with regulation 26F(2) or 26G(3), and

(c)the registration officer considers that additional evidence is necessary in order to satisfy the registration officer that the applicant has a previous connection to the relevant address.

(2) This regulation does not apply where regulation 26G(4)(d) applies to the applicant.

(3) The registration officer may require that the applicant give an attestation of relevant address connection which must—

(a)confirm that the applicant met the relevant address connection requirement, and

(b)give an indication of the dates between which, to the best of the qualifying attestor’s knowledge, the applicant met the requirement.

(4) The relevant address connection requirement is—

(a)where regulation 26F(1)(b)(i) applies to the applicant (including where it applies in accordance with regulation 26F(1)(b)(iii)), that the applicant would have been residing at the relevant address but for the applicant’s service qualification within the meaning of section 14(1) or (1A) of the 1983 Act;

(b)where regulation 26F(1)(b)(ii) applies to the applicant (including where it applies in accordance with regulation 26F(1)(b)(iii)), that the applicant—

(i)would have been residing at the relevant address but for the applicant’s occupation as a merchant seaman, or

(ii)commonly stayed at the relevant address, which was a hotel or club providing accommodation for merchant seamen, during the course of the applicant’s occupation as a merchant seaman;

(c)where regulation 26G(4)(a) or (b) applies to the applicant, that the applicant would have been residing at the relevant address if the applicant had not been a patient or detained;

(d)where regulation 26G(4)(c) applies to the applicant, that the relevant address was, or was nearest to, a place in the United Kingdom where the applicant commonly spent a substantial part of the applicant’s time (whether during the day or at night).

(5) In this regulation—

“qualifying attestor” has the meaning given in regulation 26I(3);

“relevant address” means the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(2)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act.

Textual Amendments

Overseas electors: supplemental provision as to attestations and the meaning of “qualifying attestor”E+W

26I.—(1) An attestation of previous residence pursuant to regulation 26E(2), an attestation of registration status pursuant to regulation 26F(2)(b), an attestation of local connection pursuant to regulation 26G(3)(b), or an attestation of relevant address connection pursuant to regulation 26H(3) must—

(a)be in writing and signed by a qualifying attestor;

(b)state the qualifying attestor’s full name, date of birth, occupation, residential address and (if different) the address in respect of which the qualifying attestor is registered as an elector;

(c)state—

(i)where the qualifying attestor is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, the attestor’s British or Irish passport number together with its date and place of issue;

(ii)otherwise—

(aa)where the qualifying attestor is registered in respect of an address in Northern Ireland and has been allocated a digital registration number in accordance with section 10B of the 1983 Act (register of electors in Northern Ireland: digital registration number), that digital registration number,

(bb)in all other cases, the qualifying attestor’s electoral number;

(d)include an explanation as to the qualifying attestor’s ability to confirm that the applicant met the relevant requirement, including (but not limited to) the qualifying attestor’s connection to the applicant and the length of time that that connection has existed;

(e)include—

(i)an indication that the qualifying attestor is aware of section 13D(1) of the 1983 Act (offence of provision of false information to a registration officer), and

(ii)a declaration by the qualifying attestor that all of the information provided in the attestation is true;

(f)state the date on which it is made.

(2) An attestation of relevant address connection pursuant to regulation 26H(3) may be combined with—

(a)an attestation of registration status pursuant to regulation 26F(2)(b), or

(b)an attestation of local connection pursuant to regulation 26G(3)(b),

where the qualifying attestor for each attestation is the same person.

(3) In this regulation, and in regulations 26E, 26F, 26G and 26H, a “qualifying attestor” is a person—

(a)who is aged 18 or over,

(b)who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant,

(c)who is registered as an elector,

(d)except where the person is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, whom the registration officer is satisfied is of good standing in the community, and

(e)who has not already signed attestations to which paragraph (4) applies for two other applicants since, whichever is the later,—

(i)the date on which the revised register in which the attestor’s name appears was last published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act; or

(ii)the date on which a notice specifying the attestor’s entry in the register was issued under (as the case may be) section 13A(2), 13AB(2), 13B or 13BC of that Act (and if there has been more than one such notice, the date on which the last one was issued).

(4) This paragraph applies to an attestation made in accordance with any of—

(a)regulations 26E to 26H, F159...

(b)regulations 26E to 26H of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 [F160, and

(c)regulations 25C and 27ZC to 27ZF of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008.]

Textual Amendments

Overseas electors: power to require additional evidence as to change of nameE+W

26J.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a person makes an application under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the applicant”) and—

(a)the applicant’s declaration includes a name in accordance with regulation 18(3)(a);

(b)the applicant’s name on a document provided in accordance with regulation 24A(3), 26C(3) or (4), 26D(2), 26F(2)(a) or 26G(3)(a) is different from both the name provided in accordance with section 1C(1)(a) of the 1985 Act and any name provided in accordance with regulation 18(3);

(c)the name of the applicant’s parent or guardian provided in accordance with regulation 26C(2)(a) is different from the name of that parent or guardian as it appears—

(i)on the register described in regulation 26C(2)(b);

(ii)on a document provided in accordance with regulation 26C(3) or (4);

(d)B’s name on a document provided by the applicant in accordance with regulation 26F(4)(a) or (b) is B’s former (and not current) name;

(e)on a document provided by the applicant in accordance with regulation 26F(4)(a) B’s name is different from on any document provided by the applicant in accordance with regulation 26F(4)(b).

(2) Where this paragraph applies, the registration officer may require the applicant to provide—

(a)except where paragraph (1)(a) applies, an explanation as to the difference in name or, where paragraph (1)(c), (d) or (e) applies and the reason for the difference is not known by the applicant, a statement to that effect, and

(b)where paragraph (1)(a) or (b) applies, such other evidence as the officer considers appropriate that confirms the change of the applicant’s name.

(3) Where the applicant provides a copy of a document in accordance with paragraph (2)(b), the registration officer may, if the registration officer considers it appropriate, require the applicant to provide the original document.]

Textual Amendments

Objections to registrationE+W

27.—(1) Any objection to a person’s registration shall state—

(a)the name of the person against whom the objection is made;

(b)[F161in the case of an objection made before that person is entered in the register,] the address of that person as given in the application for registration;

[F162(ba)in the case of an objection made after that person is entered in the register, the electoral number and qualifying address of that person contained in the register;]

(c)the grounds of the objection;

(d)the name of the objector and his address as shown in the register (if so shown) together with the address to which correspondence should be sent if that address is different or if no address is shown in the register; and

(e)the electoral number of the objector.

(2) An objection shall be made in writing and be signed and dated by the person objecting.

(3) In this Part of these Regulations “objection” includes [F163representations made against an application for registration under section 13A(1)(za) of the 1983 Act].

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I21Reg. 27 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Inspection of applications and objectionsE+W

28.—[F164(1)] [F165An entry on the list of applications for registration kept under regulation 29(2)(a)] and any objection to a person’s registration shall be made available for inspection at the registration officer’s office until the application [F166to which the entry relates] or objection has been determined by the registration officer.

[F167(2) This regulation does not apply to an application for registration which is accompanied by an application for an anonymous entry.]

[F168(3) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, this regulation does not apply to an application made by a person under the age of 16.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I22Reg. 28 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Determination of applications and objectionsE+W

[F169Verification of information provided in an applicationE+W

29ZA.—(1) On receipt of an application under section 10ZC or 10ZD of the 1983 Act made [F170otherwise than through the digital service], a registration officer must disclose the name or names, date of birth and national insurance number given under regulation [F17126 or 26A] to the [F172Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] in such a format and through such a conduit system as the [F172Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] may have notified to the registration officer in writing.

(2) Following receipt of the information from the registration officer or (in the case of an application made through the digital service) from the applicant, the [F173Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] may disclose the information to the Secretary of State [F174for Work and Pensions].

(3) Where information has been disclosed to the Secretary of State [F175for Work and Pensions] under paragraph (2), the Secretary of State [F175for Work and Pensions] may compare it against—

(a)the name, date of birth and national insurance number of individuals appearing in the following types of databases kept by the Secretary of State [F175for Work and Pensions]—

(i)databases kept for the purposes of functions relating to social security (including such information kept on behalf of the Department for Social Development); and

(ii)databases relating to working tax credit, child tax credit and child benefit (being information kept on behalf of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs); and

(b)any other information contained in those databases which relates to the information disclosed under paragraph (2).

(4) The Secretary of State [F176for Work and Pensions] may disclose the results of the comparison to the [F177Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities].

(5) On receipt of such results, the [F178Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] may disclose them to the registration officer in whose register the applicant has applied to be registered.

(6) Where the [F179Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] does so, the registration officer must take the results into account in determining the application.

[F180(6ZA) In relation to the registration of parliamentary electors, this regulation does not apply to an application for registration under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act made pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration.]

[F181(6A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, this regulation does not apply to an application made by a person under the age of 16.]

(7) In this regulation—

(a)“conduit system” has the same meaning as in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Telecommunications Act 1984;

F182(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F183Verification of information provided in an application made pursuant to an overseas elector’s declarationE+W

29ZAA.—(1) This regulation applies to an application for registration under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act made pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration.

(2) On receipt of an application made otherwise than through the digital service, a registration officer must disclose the applicant’s name, relevant address, date of birth and national insurance number (“the first stage information”) to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in such format and through such an infrastructure system as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may have notified to the registration officer in writing.

(3) Following receipt of the first stage information from the registration officer or (in the case of an application made through or partially completed using the digital service) from an applicant, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may disclose the first stage information to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

(4) Where the first stage information has been disclosed to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under paragraph (3) the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may compare it against—

(a)the name, address, date of birth and national insurance number of individuals appearing in the following types of data kept by the Secretary of State—

(i)data kept for the purposes of functions relating to social security (including such information kept on behalf of the Department for Social Development), and

(ii)data relating to working tax credit, child tax credit and child benefit (being information kept on behalf of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs);

(b)any other information contained in such types of data which relates to the information disclosed under paragraph (3).

(5) The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may disclose the results of the comparison of the first stage information (“the second stage information”) to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

(6) On receipt of the second stage information, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may disclose that information—

(a)to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, or

(b)to the registration officer to whom the application has been made or, as the case may be, to whom the Secretary of State has sent the application under regulation 26(11).

(7) Paragraph (4) applies to the second stage information where it has been disclosed to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under paragraph (6)(a) as it applies to the first stage information disclosed under paragraph (3).

(8) The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may disclose the results of the comparison of the second stage information (“the third stage information”) to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

(9) On receipt of the third stage information, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may—

(a)compare the third stage information against the information provided in the application, and

(b)notify the registration officer to whom the application has been made or, as the case may be, to whom the Secretary of State has sent the application under regulation 26(11), as to whether the comparison in sub-paragraph (a) resulted in a match.

(10) The registration officer must take into account any information disclosed by, or notification received from, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in accordance with this regulation when determining the application.

(11) In paragraph (2)—

(a)the applicant’s “name” means—

(i)the name provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(1)(a) of the 1985 Act, and

(ii)any name provided in accordance with regulation 18(3)(a) or 26(3)(ea);

(b)“infrastructure system” has the meaning given in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003;

(c)“relevant address” means the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act.

Textual Amendments

Additional verification of information provided in an application made pursuant to an overseas elector’s declarationE+W

29ZAB.—(1) This regulation applies to an application for registration under section 10ZC of the 1983 Act made pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration.

(2) On receipt of an application made otherwise than through the digital service, a registration officer must disclose the applicant’s qualification information to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in such a format and through such an infrastructure system as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may have notified to the registration officer in writing.

(3) Following receipt of the qualification information from the registration officer or (in the case of an application made through or partially completed using the digital service) from an applicant, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may disclose the information to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

(4) Where qualification information has been disclosed to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under paragraph (2), the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may compare it against—

(a)the name, date of birth and address of individuals appearing in the following types of data kept by the Secretary of State—

(i)data kept for the purposes of functions relating to social security (including such information kept on behalf of the Department for Social Development), and

(ii)data relating to working tax credit, child tax credit and child benefit (being information kept on behalf of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs);

(b)any other information contained in such types of data which relates to the information disclosed under paragraph (2).

(5) The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may disclose the results of the comparison to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

(6) On receipt of such results, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may disclose them to the registration officer to whom the application has been made or, as the case may be, to whom the Secretary of State has sent the application under regulation 26(11).

(7) Where the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities does so, the registration officer must take the results into account in determining the application.

(8) In this regulation—

“infrastructure system” has the meaning given in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003;

“qualification information”, in respect of an applicant, means—

(a)

the applicant’s full name provided in accordance with section 1C(1)(a) of the 1985 Act and regulation 26(1)(a),

(b)

any name provided by the applicant in accordance with regulation 18(3)(a),

(c)

the applicant’s date of birth provided in accordance with regulation 26(1)(e),

(d)

the address provided by the applicant in accordance with section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act.]

Textual Amendments

Processing of information provided in connection with an application under section 10ZC or 10ZDE+W

29ZB.—(1) If a person provides an original document under regulation 26A(4), 26B(2) to (4) or 26B(8), [F18426C(5), 26D(2), 26F(2)(a) or (4), 26G(3)(a) or 26J(3),] the registration officer must make a copy of that document and return the original document to the person who provided it.

(2) In respect of any application under section 10ZC or 10ZD of the 1983 Act, the registration officer must retain until the application has been determined—

(a)the application form or, in the case of an application made through the digital service, the information contained in the application [F185transmitted to the registration officer by the Secretary of State];

(b)any other information or documents provided to the registration officer in connection with the application or, in the case of original documents which are returned under paragraph (1), a copy of such documents.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the registration officer may retain the application form, information and documents in paragraph (2) after the application has been determined but, if they do so, must delete the applicant’s national insurance number from the application form, information and documents in paragraph (2) by no later than the date which is 13 months from the date on which the registration officer determined the application under section 10ZC or 10ZD.

(4) The requirement to delete the national insurance number in paragraph (3) does not apply where the application, information and documents in paragraph (2) are required for the purpose of any civil or criminal proceedings.

(5) Information disclosed under regulation 29ZA [F186, 29ZAA or 29ZAB] may not be disclosed to any other person, except—

(a)for the purpose of determining the application in connection with which the information was disclosed; F187...

[F188(aa)in the case of information disclosed under regulation 29ZA [F189or 29ZAA], for the purposes of determining—

(i)a relevant absent voting application made by the same applicant where that information is used by the Secretary of State to complete in part the relevant absent voting application by virtue of regulation 51(7)(a),

(ii)an application for an absent vote made under Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 by the same applicant where that information is used by the Secretary of State to complete in part that application by virtue of paragraph 11(5A)(a) of Schedule 2 to that Order,

(iii)an application for absent signing made under Part 4 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016 by the same applicant where that information is used by the Secretary of State to complete in part that application by virtue of regulation 60(6A)(a) of those Regulations, or

(iv)an identity document application, as defined by regulation 3(1) of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022, made by the same applicant where that information is used by the Secretary of State to complete in part that application by virtue of regulation 5(2) of those Regulations, or]

(b)for the purpose of any civil or criminal proceedings.

(6) A person who discloses information in breach of paragraph (5) is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine, or to both;

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F190the general limit in a magistrates’ court], or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both.

(7) Any person who discloses information under regulation 29ZA [F191, 29ZAA or 29ZAB] must process it in accordance with any requirements as to the processing of information that may have been imposed by the [F192Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] in writing, including requirements as to the transfer, storage, destruction and security of that information.

(8) Any requirements, in accordance with which a person must process information, must be imposed by the [F193Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] before a registration officer is required to disclose that information under regulation 29ZA(1) [F194, 29ZAA(2) or 29ZAB(2)].

(9) “Copy” in this regulation includes an electronic copy.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Procedure for determining applications for registration and objections without a hearingE+W

29.—(1) A registration officer shall discharge his functions of determining [F195an application under section 10ZC(1)(a) or 10ZD(1)(a) of the 1983 Act or considering an objection under section 10ZC(2), 10ZD(2) or 10ZE(5)(a) of that Act] in accordance with this regulation and regulations 30 [F196to 31A] below.

[F197(2) The registration officer must keep separate lists of—

(a)applications for registration;

(b)objections made before the person against whom the objection is made is entered in the register;

(c)objections made after the person against whom the objection is made is entered in the register.

(2A) On receipt of an application the registration officer must enter the name [F198and nationality] of the applicant and the address claimed as his qualifying address in the list he keeps in pursuance of paragraph (2)(a).

(2B) Paragraph (2A) does not apply to an application accompanied by an application for an anonymous entry.

[F199(2BA) Where an application for registration has been made and that application is successful, the registration officer must give confirmation in writing to the applicant of that fact, before either—

(a)publication of the revised register to which the applicant will be added under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act; or

(b)issue of a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of that Act specifying that the applicant’s name will be added to the register,

whichever is appropriate.

(2BB) Where confirmation is given under paragraph (2BA) in relation to an application for registration made in response to an invitation to register under section 9E(1) of the 1983 Act [F200or made in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration], the registration officer must give that confirmation either—

(a)by delivering it to the applicant, leaving it at the applicant’s address or sending it to the applicant’s address by post; or

(b)by electronic means.

(2BC) Where confirmation is given under paragraph (2BA) in relation to an application for registration made other than in response to an invitation to register under section 9E(1) of the 1983 Act [F201or in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration]—

(a)the registration officer must give confirmation by delivering it to the applicant, by leaving it at their address or by sending it to them by post; and

(b)the confirmation must give the registration officer’s contact details and must request that any person who receives that confirmation inform the registration officer if the applicant is not resident at the address in respect of which the application was made.

(2BD) A confirmation given under paragraph (2BA) must—

(a)contain the date on which the applicant’s name will be published in the revised register under section 13(1) or in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of the 1983 Act; and

(b)where—

(i)the registration officer has information that the applicant is registered in respect of a different address from the one in respect of which they have applied to be registered; and

(ii)in their application for registration, the applicant has identified that address as being an address at which they have ceased to reside in accordance with regulation 26(1)(c);

inform the applicant that their entry relating to that address will be removed from the register under section 10ZE(2) of the 1983 Act.

(2BE) In the case of an application to register in pursuance of a service declaration, or an overseas elector’s declaration, the address to be used for the purposes of paragraph (2BB)(a) or (2BC)(a), is the address the applicant has given under regulation 26(4)(a) or [F20226(5)(zb)], as appropriate.

(2BF) The Electoral Commission must—

(a)design the forms of confirmation to be used under paragraph (2BA);

(b)obtain the approval of the [F203Secretary of State] to the forms; and

(c)then make them available to registration officers.]

[F204(2BG) Before giving the approval referred to in paragraph (2BF)(b), the [F205Secretary of State] must consult the Welsh Ministers.]

(2C) On receipt of an objection made before the person against whom the objection is made is entered in the register, the registration officer must enter—

(a)in the list he keeps in pursuance of paragraph (2)(b), the name and qualifying address of the objector together with the particulars referred to in paragraph (2A), and

(b)in the list he keeps in pursuance of paragraph (2)(a), the particulars of the objection.

(2D) On receipt of any other objection, the registration officer must enter the name and qualifying address of the objector together with the particulars referred to in paragraph (2A) in the list he keeps in pursuance of paragraph (2)(c).]

(3) The registration officer may ask for further information and take no further action until such information is supplied, if he is of opinion that the particulars given in the application or objection are insufficient.

(4) [F206Subject to paragraph (4A),] the registration officer may allow an application without a hearing provided that no objection is made within [F207the period of five days beginning with the day following] the entry of the application in the list of applications.

[F208(4A) In the case of an application for registration accompanied by an application for an anonymous entry, the registration officer may allow the former application without a hearing at any time.]

(5) The registration officer may disallow an objection if he is of opinion that the objector is not entitled to object F209...; and he shall so inform the objector.

[F210(5A) The registration officer may disallow an objection without a hearing if he is of the opinion that the objection is clearly without merit.

(5B) Where the registration officer disallows an objection under paragraph (5A), he must send to the objector a notice stating that the application has been disallowed on that basis and the grounds for his opinion.

(5C) An objector may require the objection to be heard by giving notice to the registration officer within three days from the date of the notice given under paragraph (5B).

(5D) A notification under paragraph (5C) is not to prevent the application to which the objection relates from being allowed.]

(6) The registration officer may send to the applicant or objector a notice stating his opinion that an application or objection cannot be allowed because—

(a)the matter has been concluded by the decision of a court, or

(b)the particulars given in the application or objection do not entitle the applicant or objector to succeed.

(7) In cases to which paragraph (6) applies, the registration officer shall state the grounds for his opinion and that he intends to disallow the application or objection unless that person gives the registration officer notice within three days from the date of the registration officer’s notice that he requires the application or objection to be heard; and if he receives no such notice within that time, he may disallow the application or objection.

[F211(8) In this regulation, “qualifying address” includes the address specified in an overseas elector’s declaration in accordance with [F212section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4)] of the 1985 Act.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I23Reg. 29 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Notice of hearingE+W

30.—(1) The registration officer shall, unless he allows or disallows the application or objection under regulation 29 above, send a notice—

(a)in the case of an application, to the person making the application, and

(b)in the case of an objection, to the objector and the person objected to, stating—

(i)the time and place at which he proposes to hear the application or objection;

(ii)the name and address of the objector and the grounds of the objection (in the case of a notice sent to a person objected to).

(2) The time fixed for the hearing of an application or objection shall not be earlier than the third day or later than the seventh day after the date of the notice referred to in paragraph (1) above.

Commencement Information

I24Reg. 30 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Hearing of applications and objectionsE+W

31.—(1) The persons entitled to appear and be heard are as follows—

(a)on an application, the applicant;

(b)on an objection, the objector and the person objected to;

(c)on an application or an objection, any other person who appears to the registration officer to be interested.

(2) The right to appear and be heard includes the right to make written representations.

(3) Any person entitled to appear and be heard may do so either in person or by any other person on his behalf.

(4) The registration officer may, at the request of any person entitled to appear and be heard or, if he thinks fit, without such a request, require that the evidence tendered by any person shall be given on oath and may administer the oath for the purpose.

Commencement Information

I25Reg. 31 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F213Objections relating to applications that have been allowed, but before alterations to register have taken effectE+W

31A.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a)an application for registration has been allowed (whether without or following a hearing), and

(b)either—

(i)an objection is later made to that application, or

(ii)an objector whose objection in respect of that application has been disallowed in pursuance of regulation 29(5A) notifies the registration officer, in accordance with regulation 29(5C), that he requires the objection to be heard, and

(c)no alteration to the register has yet taken effect in respect of that application by virtue of section 13(5), 13A(2) [F214,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) of the 1983 Act.

(2) Where the registration officer—

(a)is able to determine the objection before the alteration to the register is due to take effect, and

(b)allows the objection,

the application is to be treated as if it had been disallowed.

(3) Where the registration officer is not able to determine the objection before the alteration to the register is due to take effect, the objection is to be treated as if it was made after the person against whom it is made is entered in the register.

(4) Where paragraph (3) applies, the registration officer must transfer the entry relating to the objection from the list he keeps in pursuance of paragraph (2)(b) of regulation 29 to the list he keeps in pursuance of paragraph (2)(c) of that regulation.]

Textual Amendments

[F215Other determinations by registration officer of entitlement to registrationE+W

31B.—(1) A registration officer must discharge the functions specified in paragraph (2) in accordance with regulations 31C to [F21631FZA].

[F217(2) The functions specified in this paragraph are—

(a)determining, under the following provisions, whether a person was entitled to be registered—

(i)sections 7(3)(aa), 7A(3)(aa), 7C(2)(aa), 10ZE(1)(a) and 15(2)(aa) of the 1983 Act, and

(ii)[F218section 1D(4)(a)] of the 1985 Act;

(b)determining, under the following provisions, whether a person was registered or their entry has been altered as a result of an application made by another person—

(i)sections 7(3)(ab), 7A(3)(ab), 7C(2)(ab), 10ZE(1)(c) and 15(2)(ab) of the 1983 Act; and

(ii)[F219section 1D(4)(b)] of the 1985 Act;

(c)determining under section 10ZE(1)(b) of the 1983 Act whether a person has ceased to be resident at the address or has otherwise ceased to satisfy the conditions for registration set out in section 4 of the 1983 Act.]

Textual Amendments

[F220Summary procedure for determining in specified circumstances person has ceased to satisfy conditions for registrationE+W

31C.—(1) In any of the circumstances specified in paragraph (2) the registration officer may make a determination under section 10ZE of the 1983 Act in respect of an elector without following the procedure set out in regulations 31D to [F22131FZA].

(2) The circumstances specified in this paragraph are where F222...—

(a)the registration officer has received information either through the digital service or from another registration officer that—

(i)the elector has made an application under section 10ZC or 10ZD of the 1983 Act in respect of an address which is different from the one in respect of which they are registered; and

(ii)in that application the elector has in accordance with regulation 26(1)(c) identified the address in respect of which they are registered as being an address at which they have ceased to reside; and

the relevant registration officer has determined that the person should be entered on the register maintained by that officer; or

(b)the registration officer—

(i)has information from at least two sources that support such a determination;

(ii)has been provided with a death certificate in respect of the elector; or

(iii)has been notified by the registrar of births and deaths that the elector has died [F223; or]

[F224(c)the registration officer has not received the information referred to in paragraph (2)(b)(ii) or (iii) but—

(i)has determined that the elector has died after inspecting records kept by—

(aa)the council by which the registration officer was appointed,

(bb)where the council by which the registration officer was appointed is a council for a district in a county for which there is a county council, that county council, or

(cc)a person providing services to, or authorised to exercise any function of, the council referred to in (aa) or (bb);

(ii)has received information from the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the elector, which allows the registration officer to determine that the elector has died;

(iii)has received information as a result of the annual canvass required by section 9D of the 1983 Act, which allows the registration officer to determine that the elector has died; or

(iv)has received information from a person managing a care home service registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 where the elector was resident, which allows the registration officer to determine that the elector has died.

(2A) The information referred to in paragraph (2)(c)(ii) and (iv) may be provided in person, by telephone or in writing and must include—

(a)the full name and address of the elector who has died;

(b)the full name and address of the person providing the information and, in case of information received under paragraph (2)(c)(ii), that person’s relationship to the elector; and

(c)a statement that the person providing the information is aware of the penalty for providing false information to a registration officer.

(2B) Where the information referred to in paragraph (2)(c)(ii) and (iv) has been provided in person or by telephone by virtue of paragraph (2A), the registration officer must record that information in writing or in data form.]

(3) In this regulation “elector” means a person who is duly entered in a register in respect of an address.]

Textual Amendments

Procedure for reviewing entitlement to registrationE+W

31D.—(1) A registration officer [F225must], for the purposes of making a determination of the nature specified in regulation 31B(2), conduct a review in respect of a person entered in the register.

(2) Where the registration officer is not satisfied that the subject of the review is entitled to be registered, he must—

(a)send to that person such notice, of a kind specified in paragraph (4), as he considers appropriate, and

(b)enter the review in the list kept in pursuance of regulation 31E.

(3) Paragraph (2)(b) does not apply where the subject of a review has an anonymous entry.

[F226(3A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, paragraph (2)(b) does not apply where the subject of the review is under the age of 16.]

(4) A notice is specified for the purposes of this paragraph if it—

(a)states that the registration officer is of the opinion that the subject of the review [F227is or was not entitled to be registered, or has an entry in the register which results from or was altered as the result of an application made by another person,] and the grounds for his opinion,

(b)states the reason for the review and requires the subject of the review to provide such further information as might be specified in the notice or requires him to make a declaration under regulation 24 [F228or 24A,] or both, or

(c)states the reason for the review and that the registration officer intends to conduct a hearing of it.

[F229(4A) A notice specified for the purposes of paragraph (4)(a) must also state that—

(a)where the subject of the review does not notify the registration officer within 14 days beginning with the date of the notice that the subject of the review requires the review to be heard, the registration officer may determine the review and remove the subject’s entry from the register;

(b)the subject of the review would not be entitled to a right of appeal against the registration officer’s determination in the circumstances described in sub-paragraph (a); and

(c)after 14 days beginning with the date of the notice, the subject of the review can contact the registration officer to find out if the registration officer has removed the subject’s entry from the register.] 

(5) Where—

(a)the registration officer sends to the subject of the review a notice in the form specified in paragraph (4)(a), and

(b)that person does not, within 14 days beginning with the date of that notice, notify the registration officer that he requires the review to be heard,

the registration officer may determine without a hearing that the subject of the review was not entitled to be registered [F230, that the subject of the review was registered and their entry has been altered as the result of an application made by another person,] or, as the case may be, [F231that the subject of the review] has ceased to satisfy the conditions for registration set out in section 4 of the 1983 Act.

(6) Paragraph (7) applies where—

(a)the registration officer sends to the subject of the review a notice in the form specified in paragraph (4)(b), and

(b)that person does not respond to the registration officer’s satisfaction, or at all, within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of that notice.

[F232(7) The registration officer may send a notice to the subject of the review which states that—

(a)the registration officer is not satisfied that the subject of the review is or was entitled to be registered, or that the subject’s entry in the register does not result from or has not been altered as the result of an application made by another person, and the grounds for the registration officer’s opinion;

(b)if within 14 days beginning with the date of the notice, the subject of the review does not require the review to be heard, the registration officer may determine the review and remove the subject’s entry from the register;

(c)the subject of the review would not be entitled to a right of appeal against the registration officer’s determination in the circumstances described in sub-paragraph (b); and

(d)after 14 days beginning with the date of the notice, the subject of the review can contact the registration officer to find out if the registration officer has removed the subject’s entry from the register.] 

(8) Where—

(a)the registration officer sends to the subject of the review a notice in pursuance of paragraph (7), and

(b)the subject of the review does not, within the period of 14 days beginning with the date of that notice, notify the registration officer that he requires the review to be heard,

the registration officer may determine without a hearing that the subject of the review was not entitled to be registered [F233, that the subject of the review was registered and their entry has been altered as the result of an application made by another person,] or, as the case may be, [F234that the subject of the review] has ceased to satisfy the conditions for registration set out in section 4 of the 1983 Act.

(9) In making a determination under paragraph (5) or (8), the registration officer must take into account any written representations made to him by the subject of the review and may take into account the written representations of any other person who appears to him to be interested.

(10) In this regulation and regulations 31E and 31F—

“review” must be construed in accordance with paragraph (1);

“the subject of the review” means the person in respect of whom the review is conducted.

Textual Amendments

List of reviewsE+W

31E.—(1) The registration officer must keep a list of reviews.

(2) The list must contain, in relation to each review, the following particulars—

(a)the full name of the subject of the review,

(b)his electoral number,

(c)his qualifying address, and

(d)the reason for the review.

(3) The list must be made available for inspection at the registration officer’s office.

(4) This regulation does not apply to any review where the subject of the review has an anonymous entry.

[F235(5) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, this regulation does not apply to any review where the subject of the review is under the age of 16.]

Textual Amendments

Hearings of reviewsE+W

31F.—(1) Where the registration officer determines that a hearing of the review should be conducted, the notice given under regulation 31D(4)(c) must also state the time and place at which he proposes to hear the review.

(2) Where the subject of the review requires the review to be heard, the registration officer must send to that person a notice stating the time and place at which he proposes to hear the review.

(3) The time fixed for the hearing must not be earlier than the third day after the date of the notice in which that time is stated.

(4) The persons entitled to appear and be heard are—

(a)the subject of the review;

(b)any other person who appears to the registration officer to be interested.

(5) Paragraphs (2) to (4) of regulation 31 apply to the hearing of a review as they apply to the hearing of an application for registration or objection.

(6) The registration officer may determine that the subject of the review was not entitled to be registered [F236, that the subject of the review was registered and their entry has been altered as the result of an application made by another person,] or, as the case may be, [F237that the subject of the review] has ceased to satisfy the conditions for registration set out in section 4 of the 1983 Act, despite the failure of that person (or any other person entitled to appear and be heard) to attend.

(7) In making a determination under paragraph (6), the registration officer must take into account any written representations made to him by the subject of the review and may take into account the written representations of any other person who appears to him to be interested.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C35Reg. 31F(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (7.5.2024) by S.I. 2012/1917, Sch. A1 para. 3 (as inserted by The Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1150), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1)

[F238Notification of outcome of reviewsE+W

31FZA.—(1) Where the registration officer is required to send to the subject of the review a notice under regulation 31D(2) and the subject of the review has required the review to be heard or has made representations to the registration officer, the registration officer must notify the subject of the review in writing of its outcome and when doing so—

(a)state whether there is a right of appeal under section 56(1)(azd) or (aa) of the 1983 Act;

(b)specify the time within which any notice of appeal under that section must be given (in accordance with regulation 32(2)); and

(c)provide such other information about the appeal that the registration officer considers necessary.

(2) Where the registration officer is required to send to the subject of the review a notice under regulation 31D(2) and the subject of the review has not required that the review be heard, or has not made any representations to the registration officer, the registration officer may notify the subject of the review of its outcome and when doing so state that there is no right of appeal of that decision.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C37Reg. 31FZA(1) applied (with modifications) (7.5.2024) by S.I. 2012/1917, Sch. A1 para. 3 (as inserted by The Representation of the People (Franchise Amendment and Eligibility Review) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1150), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1)

[F239Determinations of entitlement to remain registered during the annual canvassE+W

31FA.—[F240(1)] If a registration officer is required by section 10ZE(5)(b) of the 1983 Act to consider making a determination under section 10ZE(1) of that Act as a result of information received in response to the canvass conducted under section 9D of that Act, the registration officer must so far as reasonably practicable take any relevant steps under regulations 31D to [F24131FZA] so as to enable the relevant determination to be made [F242, and the subject of the review to be notified of the determination,] before the registration officer publishes a revised version of the register under section 13(1)(a) of the 1983 Act.]

[F243(2) This regulation does not apply where under regulation 31C(2)(c)(iii) a registration officer has received information as a result of the annual canvass which allows the registration officer to determine that the elector has died.]

Textual Amendments

[F244Anonymous registration: applications and declarationsE+W

31G.—(1) An application for an anonymous entry must state—

(a)the applicant’s full name,

(b)the address given in accordance with regulation 26(1)(b),

(c)the reason for the application, and

(d)the date of the application.

(2) The application must be in writing and signed by the applicant.

(3) The application must be accompanied by evidence of the nature prescribed in regulation 31I or 31J.

(4) Where the evidence mentioned in paragraph (3) relates not to the applicant, but to another person of the same household as the applicant, the application must be accompanied by evidence that that person is of that household.

(5) The application must be accompanied by a declaration made by the applicant that—

(a)the particulars given in accordance with paragraph (1) are true,

(b)so far as he is aware, the evidence provided in pursuance of paragraph (3) is genuine, and

(c)where paragraph (4) applies—

(i)the person to whom the evidence relates is a person of the same household of the applicant, and

(ii)so far as he is aware, the evidence provided in pursuance of paragraph (4) is genuine.

(6) The application may give an address to which the registration officer must send correspondence, other than the address given in accordance with paragraph (1)(b).

[F245(7) Where an application for an anonymous entry is made by a person who is, or who has applied to be, registered as an elector in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, this regulation applies as if—

(a)in paragraph (1)—

(i)the reference in sub-paragraph (b) to regulation 26(1)(b) were a reference to section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act;

(ii)after sub-paragraph (b) there were inserted—

“(ba)the address given in accordance with regulation 18(4) or 22B(1);”;

(b)paragraph (6) were omitted.]

Textual Amendments

Anonymous registration: determination of applications by registration officerE+W

31H.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where—

(a)the registration officer determines that the applicant for an anonymous entry is entitled to be registered, and

(b)the application for an anonymous entry is made in accordance with regulation 31G(1), (2) and (5).

(2) The registration officer must determine that the safety test is satisfied (and accordingly allow the application for an anonymous entry) where he is satisfied—

(a)that the evidence provided in support of the application in pursuance of regulation 31G(3) constitutes evidence of the nature prescribed in regulation 31I or 31J, and

(b)in the case of an application where regulation 31G(4) applies, that the evidence provided in pursuance of that paragraph establishes that the person in question is a person of the same household as the applicant.

Textual Amendments

Anonymous registration: evidence consisting of relevant court orders or injunctionsE+W

31I.—(1) Evidence which meets the following conditions is prescribed for the purposes of regulations 31G(3) and 31H(2)(a).

(2) The first condition is that the evidence is, or is a copy of, a relevant order or injunction.

(3) A relevant order or injunction is—

(a)an injunction for the purpose of restraining a person from pursuing any conduct which amounts to harassment granted in proceedings under section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997;

(b)an injunction granted under section 3A(2) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997(10);

(c)a restraining order made under section 5(1) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997(11) [F246or section 360 of the Sentencing Code];

(d)a restraining order on acquittal made under section 5A(1) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997(12);

[F247(e)a non-harassment order, interdict or interim interdict made under section 8 or 8A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997;]

(f)a non-harassment order made under section 234A(2) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995(13);

(g)a non-molestation order made under section 42(2) of the Family Law Act 1996(14);

[F248(h)an injunction for the purpose of restraining a person from pursuing any conduct which amounts to harassment granted in proceedings under article 5 of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;

(i)a restraining order made under article 7 of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;

(j)a restraining order on acquittal made under article 7A(1) of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;

(k)a non-molestation order made under article 20(2) of the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998];

[F249(l)a matrimonial interdict within the meaning of section 14 of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981;

(m)a domestic interdict within the meaning of section 18A of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981;

(n)a relevant interdict within the meaning of section 113 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004;

(o)an interdict that has been determined to be a domestic abuse interdict within the meaning of section 3 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2011;

(p)any interdict with an attached power of arrest made under section 1 of the Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001;

(q)a forced marriage protection order or interim forced marriage protection order made under any of the following provisions—

(i)Part 4A of the Family Law Act 1996;

(ii)section 2 of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to, the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007;

(iii)section 1 of the Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011; and

(iv)section 5 of the Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011];

[F250(r)a domestic violence protection order made under section 28 of the Crime and Security Act 2010 or section 97 of, and paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 to, the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015;

(s)a female genital mutilation protection order made under section 5A of, and paragraphs 1 or 18 of Schedule 2 to, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.]

(4) The second condition is that the relevant order or injunction is made for the protection, or otherwise for the benefit, of—

(a)the applicant for an anonymous entry, or

(b)another person of the same household as him.

(5) The third condition is that the relevant order or injunction is in force on the day on which the application for an anonymous entry is made.

Textual Amendments

Anonymous registration: evidence by attestationE+W

31J.—(1) An attestation within the meaning of this regulation is prescribed for the purposes of regulations 31G(3) and 31H(2)(a).

(2) The attestation must—

(a)certify that the safety of the applicant, or of another named person of the same household as him, would be at risk if the register contained the name of the applicant or his qualifying address,

(b)state the date on which it is made, and

(c)be in writing and signed by a qualifying officer.

[F251(2A) Where the applicant is or has applied to be registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, the reference in paragraph (2)(a) to the applicant’s qualifying address includes a reference to the address provided by the applicant in accordance with regulation 18(4) or 22B(1).]

(3) The attestation must state the period for which it has effect, being a period of between one and five years beginning with the date on which the attestation is made.

(4) Qualifying officer means—

(a)[F252a police officer of or above the rank of [F253inspector]] of any police force in England and Wales;

(b)[F254a police officer of or above the rank of [F255inspector]] of [F256the Police Service of Scotland];

(c)[F257a police officer of or above the rank of [F258inspector]] of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

(d)the Director General of the Security Service;

(e)the Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency;

[F259(f)any director of adult social services in England within the meaning of section 6(A1) of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970;

(g)any director of children’s services in England within the meaning of section 18 of the Children Act 2004;

(h)any director of social services in Wales within the meaning of [F260section 144 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014];

(i)any chief social work officer in Scotland within the meaning of section 3 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968;

(j)any director of social services of a Health and Social Services Board established under article 16 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972;

(k)any executive director of social work of a Health and Social Services Trust established under article 10 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991];

[F261(l)any registered medical practitioner;

(m)any registered nurse or midwife;

(n)any person who manages a refuge.]

[F262(5) In this regulation “refuge” means accommodation together with a planned programme of therapeutic and practical support for victims of, or those at risk of, domestic abuse or violence.]

[F263(6) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, where the applicant is under the age of 16 on the date on which the application is made—

(a)“qualifying officer” also includes a person authorised in writing for the purposes of this regulation by an officer referred to in paragraph (4)(h), and

(b)where the attestation is signed by a person so authorised, the attestation must be accompanied by a copy of the person's authorisation.]]

Textual Amendments

F259Reg. 31J(4)(f)-(k) substituted for reg. 31J(4)(f)-(h) (17.3.2009) by The Representation of the People (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/725), regs. 1(1), 7(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Registration appealsE+W

32.—[F264(1) This regulation makes provision in connection with the right of appeal under section 56(1)(a), (aza), (azb), (azc), (azd), (aa) and (ab) of the 1983 Act.]

(2) A person desiring to appeal must—

(a)give notice of appeal to the registration officer and to the opposite party (if any) when the decision is given, or within 14 days thereafter, and

(b)specify the grounds of appeal.

(3) The registration officer shall forward any such notice to the appropriate county court in accordance with rules of court together, in each case, with—

(a)a statement of the material facts which in his opinion have been established in the case, and

(b)his decision upon the whole case and on any point which may be specified as a ground of appeal.

(4) Where it appears to the registration officer that any notices of appeal given to him are based on similar grounds, he shall inform the appropriate county court of this to enable the court (if it thinks fit) to consolidate the appeals or select a case as a test case.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I26Reg. 32 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F265Annual canvass: register of local government electors in Wales]E+W

F26632ZA.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Steps to be taken by a registration officer where no information in response to an annual canvass form is received in respect of a particular addressE+W

F26732ZB.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F268[F269Annual canvassE+W

32ZBA.—(1) Before conducting the annual canvass required by section 9D(1) of the 1983 Act, each registration officer must comply with paragraph (1) of regulation 32ZBB in respect of a register F270....

(2) Each registration officer must conduct the annual canvass in respect of a residential address in the area for which they are responsible in accordance with regulation 32ZBD, for the purposes of a register F271....

(3) The obligation in paragraph (2) does not apply in a case described in paragraph (4) or (5) (but see paragraph (6)).

(4) The first case is where—

(a)having taken into account the information described in paragraph (7), the registration officer—

(i)is satisfied that it is not necessary to remove a person registered at the address from [F272a register]; and

(ii)has no reason to believe that any addition may be required to F273... a register in respect of the address; and

(b)having proceeded to conduct the annual canvass in accordance with regulation 32ZBE—

(i)the registration officer remains satisfied as to the matters in sub-paragraph (a); or

(ii)in circumstances where the registration officer has reason to believe that—

(aa)it may be necessary to remove a person registered at that address from [F274a register]; or

(bb)a person who resides at the address may be entitled to be added to such a register,

the registration officer is aware of that person's name.

(5) The second case is where—

(a)the address is in respect of a property to which regulation 32ZBF(2) applies;

(b)the registration officer has—

(i)identified a responsible person in respect of that property within the meaning of regulation 32ZBF(8); and

(ii)attempted to make contact with the responsible person in accordance with regulation 32ZBF(5) [F275or (5A)]; and

(c)the responsible person has, within a reasonable time of the registration officer making that attempt, communicated the information described in regulation 32ZBF(5)(a) to (c) to the officer.

(6) Where any of the information described in paragraph (7) or taken into account in accordance with paragraph (8) indicates that only persons under the age of 18 are registered at an address F276..., the registration officer must conduct the annual canvass in respect of that address in accordance with regulation 32ZBD.

(7) The information in this paragraph is—

(a)the results of the data comparison described in regulation 32ZBB, where disclosed to the registration officer by the [F277Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] in accordance with paragraph (6) of that regulation; and

(b)any information which the registration officer may hold following the determination of an application under section 10ZC(1) or 10ZD(1) of the 1983 Act in respect of a person—

(i)whose name has not yet been published in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of that Act; or

(ii)excluded from the data comparison described in regulation 32ZBB by virtue of paragraph (7) of that regulation.

(8) In determining whether either of the cases described in paragraphs (4) or (5) is made out, the registration officer may take into account any other information which the officer may hold in writing or in data form for the purposes of the officer's registration duties F278... or any information which that officer may inspect for those purposes.

Textual Amendments

Annual canvass data matchingE+W

32ZBB.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (7) and (8), each registration officer must disclose to the [F279Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] the matching data in respect of each person aged 16 or over who is registered in a register F280..., maintained by that registration officer.

(2) The matching data must be disclosed in such format and through such an infrastructure system as the [F281Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] may have notified to the registration officer in writing.

(3) Following receipt of the matching data from the registration officer, the [F282Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] may disclose that data to the Secretary of State [F283for Work and Pensions].

(4) Where matching data has been disclosed to the Secretary of State [F284for Work and Pensions] under paragraph (3), the Secretary of State [F284for Work and Pensions] may compare it against information appearing in the following types of database kept by the Secretary of State [F284for Work and Pensions]—

(a)databases kept for the purposes of functions relating to social security (including such information kept on behalf of the Department for Communities (Northern Ireland)); and

(b)databases relating to working tax credit, child tax credit and child benefit (being information kept on behalf of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs).

(5) The Secretary of State [F285for Work and Pensions] may disclose the results of the data comparison to the [F286Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities].

(6) On receipt of such results, the [F287Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] may disclose them to the registration officer in whose register the person concerned is registered.

(7) Where—

(a)a registration officer has successfully determined a person's application under section 10ZC(1) or 10ZD(1) of the 1983 Act at any time during the 90 day period ending with the day before the day on which the registration officer proposes to commence disclosure of matching data in accordance with paragraph (1); and

(b)that person's entry on the register has been published in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of the 1983 Act,

the registration officer may disclose matching data for that person to the [F288Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] but is not required to do so.

(8) Where a person falls within the scope of section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act the registration officer must not disclose that person's matching data under paragraph (1).

(9) In this regulation—

“infrastructure system” has the meaning given in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003;

“matching data” means—

(a)

a person's full name;

(b)

where held by the registration officer, a person's date of birth;

(c)

the address, including postcode, of the property at which a person is registered;

(d)

where held by the registration officer, the unique property reference number of the property at which a person is registered; and

(e)

any other information held by the registration officer which relates to a person's entry on the register and which the [F289Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] may have specified in writing.

F290...

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Processing of information in connection with annual canvass data matchingE+W

32ZBC.—(1) Information disclosed under regulation 32ZBB may not be disclosed to any other person, except—

(a)so that it may be taken into account by a registration officer for the purposes of determining whether the annual canvass may be conducted otherwise than in accordance with regulation 32ZBD F291...;

(b)for the purpose of any civil or criminal proceedings.

(2) A person who discloses information in breach of paragraph (1) is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine, or to both;

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F292the general limit in a magistrates’ court], or to a fine, or both.

(3) Any person who processes information under regulation 32ZBB must do so in accordance with any requirements as to the processing of information that may have been imposed by the [F293Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities], including requirements as to the transfer, storage, destruction and security of that information.

(4) Where a registration officer processes the results of the data matching for the purposes of determining whether the officer may conduct the annual canvass required by section 9D(1) of the 1983 Act otherwise than in accordance with regulation 32ZBD, the officer must do so in accordance with any requirements as to the processing of information that may have been imposed by the [F294Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] in relation to the register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales and the register of local government electors in England.

(5) Where the [F295Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] imposes requirements as to processing under paragraph (3) or (4), such requirements must be imposed before a registration officer is required to disclose that information under regulation 32ZBB.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Annual canvass for properties where it may be necessary to make any addition to, or deletion from, an electoral register and steps to be taken where no response is receivedE+W

32ZBD.—(1) A registration officer must attempt to make contact with a person who is, or may be eligible to be, registered, in a register F296... at a residential address in the area for which the officer is responsible by–

(a)sending a paper communication to the address, or

(b)visiting the address in order to obtain the information required by the canvass form.

(2) If no information in response is received within a reasonable time following an attempt to make contact with a person under paragraph (1), the registration officer must make a further attempt to make contact with at least one person at the address in order to obtain the information required by the canvass form.

(3) If no information in response is received within a reasonable time following an attempt to make contact with at least one person under paragraph (2), the registration officer must make a further attempt to make contact with at least one person at the address in order to obtain the information required by the canvass form.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (6) to (9) a registration officer may comply with the requirements in paragraphs (2) and (3) by any of the following means—

(a)by sending a paper communication to the address;

(b)where the registration officer holds a telephone number for one or more persons aged 18 or over who are registered in the register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or the register of local government electors in England, at the address, and whom the registration officer believes are resident at that address, by means of a telephone call to each of those persons;

[F297(ba)where the registration officer holds a telephone number for one or more persons aged 16 or over who are registered in the register of local government electors in Wales, at the address, and whom the registration officer believes are resident at that address, by means of a telephone call to each of those persons;]

(c)where the registration officer holds relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 18 or over who are registered in the register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or the register of local government electors in England, at the address, and whom the registration officer believes are resident at that address, by sending a communication by electronic means to each of those persons; F298...

[F299(ca)where the registration officer holds relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 16 or over who are registered in the register of local government electors in Wales, at the address, and whom the registration officer believes are resident at that address, by sending a communication by electronic means to each of those persons; or]

(d)by visiting the address.

(5) Where a registration officer has complied with the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) but has not done so in either case by sending the canvass form to the address, and the registration officer is required to comply with paragraph (3), the registration officer must do so by sending that form to the address.

(6) Where a registration officer has complied with the requirement in paragraph (2) other than by sending a paper communication to the address or by visiting the address, and the registration officer is required to comply with paragraph (3), the registration officer must do so by sending a paper communication to the address or visiting the address but, where paragraph (5) applies, the registration officer must instead do so by sending the canvass form to that address.

(7) Where no information has been received in response to an attempt to make contact with a person under paragraph (3), and a registration officer has not already made an attempt to contact a person at that address by means of a telephone call or calls under paragraph (4)(b) or by visiting the address, the officer must make an attempt by one or other of these means in order to obtain the information required by the canvass form.

(8) A registration officer complies with the requirements in paragraphs (2), (3) or (7) by means of a telephone call or calls under paragraph (4)(b) without having to make a telephone call to each of the persons to whom that sub-paragraph relates, where—

(a)one of the persons to whom that sub-paragraph relates has provided the information required by the canvass form; or

(b)an identical telephone number is held in respect of all persons to whom that sub-paragraph relates.

(9) Where a registration officer complies with the requirements in paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) by sending a canvass form—

(a)before sending the form the registration officer must if practicable print on the form—

(i)any information required by the canvass form which the officer already holds in respect of each person who is registered at the address F300... with the exception of persons registered as mentioned in section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act;

(ii)the full name and nationality of each person whose application to be registered at the address in a register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or a register of local government electors in England, under section 10ZC(1) or 10ZD(1) of the 1983 Act has been successfully determined, where the date on which the applicant's name will be published in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of the 1983 Act is after the date on which the form will be sent, with the exception of persons registered as mentioned in section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act; F301...

(iii)an indication as to whether any person who is registered at that address is aged 76 or over; and

[F302(iv)the full name, date of birth and nationality of each person whose application to be registered at the address in a register of local government electors in Wales, under section 10ZC(1) or 10ZD(1) of the 1983 Act has been successfully determined, where the date on which the applicant’s name will be published in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of the 1983 Act is after the date on which the form will be sent, with the exception of persons registered as mentioned in section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act; and]

(b)the form must be accompanied by a pre-addressed reply envelope, the postage of which has been pre-paid.

[F303(9A) In relation to a register of local government electors in Wales, the registration officer must not, under paragraph 9, print on the form the date of birth of any person aged under 16.]

(10) In this regulation—

“canvass form” means the canvass form designed by the Electoral Commission under regulation 32ZBG(1)(a)(ii);

“paper communication” means—

(a)

the canvass form, or

(b)

the canvass communication B designed by the Electoral Commission under regulation 32ZBG(1)(a)(iii).

Textual Amendments

Annual canvass for properties where the registration officer is satisfied that it is not necessary to make any deletion from an electoral register and has no reason to believe that any additions to an electoral register may be requiredE+W

32ZBE.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where, having taken into account the information described in regulation 32ZBA(7), a registration officer—

(a)is satisfied that it is not necessary to remove a person registered at a residential address in the area for which they are responsible from a register F304...; and

(b)has no reason to believe that any addition may be required to a register F305... in respect of the address.

(2) The registration officer may proceed to conduct the annual canvass for a register F306... by complying with the requirements of paragraphs (3) to (6) (but see paragraph (7)).

(3) A registration officer must send either of the following—

(a)a canvass communication A to the address; or

[F307(b)where—

(i)the registration officer holds relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 18 or over who are registered at the address in a register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or a register of local government electors in England; or

(ii)the registration officer holds relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 16 or over who are registered at the address in a register of local government electors in Wales,

a communication by electronic means to each of those persons.]

(4) Any communication sent under paragraph [F308(3)(b)(i)] must require the recipient to—

(a)confirm to the registration officer whether the information it contains in respect of persons who are registered at the address in a register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or a register of local government electors in England, with the exception of persons falling within section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act, is complete and accurate; and

(b)provide to the registration officer, except where it is already included in the communication, the full name and nationality of each person aged 16 or over who is residing at the address and who is eligible to be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or a register of local government electors in England, including an indication as to whether any of those persons is aged 76 or over.

[F309(4A) Any communication sent under paragraph 3(b)(ii) must require the recipient to—

(a)confirm to the registration officer whether the information it contains in respect of persons who are registered at the address in a register of local government electors in Wales, with the exception of persons falling within section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act, is complete and accurate;

(b)provide to the registration officer, except where it is already included in the communication, the full name and nationality of each person aged 14 or over who is residing at the address and who is eligible to be registered in a register of local government electors in Wales, including an indication as to whether any of those persons is aged 76 or over; and

(c)provide to the registration officer the date of birth of each person aged 14 or 15 who is residing at the address and who is eligible to be registered in a register of local government electors in Wales.]

(5) In circumstances where a registration officer—

(a)does not hold relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 18 or over who are registered at the address in a register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or a register of local government electors in England; or

(b)has sent a communication by electronic means under paragraph [F310(3)(b)(i)] to one or more persons in respect of the address and has not, within a reasonable time of sending the communication, received the required information from at least one person in respect of the address,

the registration officer must send a canvass communication A to the address.

[F311(5A) In circumstances where a registration officer for a register of local government electors in Wales—

(a)does not hold relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 16 or over who are registered at the address; or

(b)has sent a communication by electronic means under paragraph (3)(b)(ii) to one or more persons in respect of the address and has not, within a reasonable time of sending the communication, received the required information from at least one person in respect of the address,

the registration officer must send a canvass communication A to the address.]

(6) The registration officer must, before sending a canvass communication A, print the following information on the communication—

(a)the full name and nationality of each person—

(i)who is registered at the address F312... with the exception of persons registered as mentioned in section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act; or

(ii)whose application to be registered at the address F313..., under section 10ZC(1) or 10ZD(1) of the 1983 Act has been successfully determined, where the date on which the applicant's name will be published in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of the 1983 Act is after the date on which the communication will be sent, with the exception of persons registered as mentioned in section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act; and

(b)if practicable, an indication as to whether any of those persons is aged 76 or over.

(7) If, after complying with the requirements of paragraphs (3) to (6), a registration officer has reason to believe—

(a)that it may be necessary to remove a person registered at that address from a register F314...; or

(b)that a person who resides at the address may be entitled to be registered F315...,

but is not aware of that person's name, the officer must conduct the annual canvass in accordance with regulation 32ZBD in respect of the address.

(8) In this regulation, “canvass communication A” means a document in the form designed by the Electoral Commission under regulation 32ZBG(1)(a)(i).

Textual Amendments

Annual canvass in respect of particular types of propertyE+W

32ZBF.—(1) Paragraph (4) applies where a registration officer has identified a responsible person in respect of a property to which paragraph (2) applies in the area for which the officer is responsible.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), this paragraph applies to—

(a)a care home registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 ;

(b)a property at which is situated a care home service regulated under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 , unless that service is provided wholly or mainly to persons under the age of 18;

(c)a house in multiple occupation within the meaning of section 254 of the Housing Act 2004 ;

(d)a building occupied by students within the meaning of paragraph 4 of Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004;

(e)a hostel, being a building in which is provided, for persons generally or for a class or classes of persons—

(i)residential accommodation otherwise than in separate and self-contained premises; and

(ii)either board or facilities for the preparation of food adequate to the needs of those persons, or both; and

(f)a property—

(i)at which persons reside who together do not form a single household; or

(ii)in respect of which a registration officer has made an attempt to deliver a document in the previous 18 months but has been unable to do so; and

in respect of which a registration officer reasonably believes that conducting the annual canvass in accordance with this regulation is more likely to fulfil its purpose under section 9D(2) of the 1983 Act than if conducted in accordance with any other part of these Regulations.

(3) Paragraph (2)(f) does not apply to a building containing two or more flats which are occupied or intended to be occupied wholly or mainly for residential purposes.

(4) The registration officer may proceed to conduct the annual canvass for that property F316..., by complying with paragraph (5) [F317or (5A)] (but see paragraph (7)).

(5) The registration officer must attempt to make contact with the responsible person and must request the following information in respect of each person aged 16 or over who is residing at that property and is eligible to be registered in a register of parliamentary electors in England or Wales, or a register of local government electors in England—

(a)full name;

(b)nationality;

(c)an indication as to whether the person in question is aged 76 or over.

[F318(5A) The registration officer for a register of local government electors in Wales must attempt to make contact with the responsible person and must request the following information in respect of each person aged 14 or over who is residing at that property and is eligible to be registered in a register of local government electors in Wales—

(a)full name;

(b)date of birth;

(c)nationality;

(d)an indication as to whether that person is aged 76 or over.]

(6) A registration officer may comply with paragraph (5) [F319or (5A)] by any means the registration officer thinks appropriate, including—

(a)by sending a paper communication;

(b)by visiting the property;

(c)by telephone;

(d)by electronic means.

(7) If, after complying with the requirements of paragraph (5) [F320or (5A)], the registration officer does not receive the information requested within a reasonable time of having made the attempt to contact the responsible person the registration officer must conduct the annual canvass in respect of that property in accordance with regulation 32ZBD.

(8) For the purposes of this regulation “responsible person” means any person who lawfully holds or has access to, and may lawfully disclose to the registration officer, any of the information in paragraph (5) [F321or (5A)] in relation to the residents of a property to which paragraph (2) applies.

Textual Amendments

Electoral Commission requirementsE+W

32ZBG.—(1) The Electoral Commission must—

(a)design the following—

(i)a paper canvass communication A;

(ii)a paper canvass form;

(iii)a paper canvass communication B;

(b)obtain the approval of the [F322Secretary of State] to the communications and the form; and

(c)make the designs available to registration officers.

(2) The Electoral Commission may design a version of each of the communications and the form referred to in paragraph (1)(a) for use in England and another version of each of them for use in Wales.

(3) Before giving the approval referred to in paragraph (1)(b), in respect of any form or communication to be used in Wales, the [F323Secretary of State] must consult the Welsh Ministers.

(4) The canvass communication A referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(i) must—

(a)include a space for the full name and nationality of each person who is registered F324... at the address to which the communication relates;

(b)include a space for the full name and nationality of each person whose application for registration at the address F325... under section 10ZC(1) or 10ZD(1) of the 1983 Act has been successfully determined where the date on which the applicant's name will be published in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of the 1983 Act is after the date on which the communication will be sent;

(c)where a person's personal data has been processed under regulation 32ZBB prior to the registration officer sending the communication, include a notification that such processing was carried out in accordance with any applicable requirements relating to the protection of personal data, and that any information provided in response to the communication will be processed in accordance with such requirements;

(d)require the occupier or, if there is no occupier, or it is not reasonably practicable for the occupier to provide the required information, the person in charge of the premises—

(i)to notify the registration officer responsible for the area in which the address is situated if any of the information provided in the communication is incomplete or inaccurate; and

(ii)to provide the registration officer with the full name and nationality of each person aged 16 or over who is eligible to be registered F326... and is residing at the address to which the communication relates, where that information is not included in the communication;

[F327(iii)to provide the registration officer with the full name, date of birth and nationality of each person aged 14 or 15 who is eligible to be registered in a register of local government electors in Wales, and is residing at the address to which the communication relates, where that information is not included in the communication;]

(e)set out the manner in which the responses referred to in subparagraph (d) may be provided, and—

(i)require a named person at the address to which the communication relates to make a declaration that the information contained in such responses is true; and

(ii)require an indication, if the person making the declaration is not resident at the address, of the capacity in which they are making it.

(5) The canvass form referred to in paragraph (1)(a)(ii) must—

(a)require the recipient to provide the full name and nationality of each person aged 16 or over who is eligible to be registered F328... and is residing at the address to which the form is delivered;

(b)include a space for the full name and nationality of each person whose application for registration at the address F329... under section 10ZC(1) or 10ZD(1) of the 1983 Act has been successfully determined where the date on which the applicant's name will be published in a notice of alteration under section 13A(2) of the 1983 Act is after the date on which the canvass form will be sent;

(c)where a person's personal data has been processed prior to the registration officer sending the form, include a notification that such processing was carried out in accordance with any applicable requirements relating to the protection of personal data, and that any information provided in response to the form will be processed in accordance with such requirements;

(d)include space for the email address and telephone number or numbers of each person residing at the address who is entitled to be registered F330... together with an explanation that provision of this information is not mandatory;

(e)include a declaration that the information provided is true, to be made by a named person at the address to which the form is given and include an indication, if the person who is making the declaration is not resident at the address, of the capacity in which they are making it [F331;]

[F332(f)require the recipient to provide the full name, date of birth and nationality of each person aged 14 or 15 who is eligible to be registered in a register of local government electors in Wales, and is residing at the address to which the form is given.]]

Textual Amendments

Invitations to apply for registrationE+W

32ZC.—(1) The Electoral Commission must—

(a)design an invitation to apply for registration;

(b)obtain the approval of the [F333Secretary of State] to the invitation; and

(c)then make the invitation available to registration officers.

[F334(1A) Before giving the approval referred to in paragraph (1)(b), the [F335Secretary of State] must consult the Welsh Ministers.]

(2) The invitation in paragraph (1) must include—

(a)the full name and address of the person to be invited;

(b)an explanation of how to make an application for registration; F336...

(c)a statement as to the circumstances in which a civil penalty may be imposed under section 9E of the 1983 Act, and the amount of the civil penalty; [F337and]

[F338(d)the website address of the digital service.]

[F339(2A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, where the person to be invited is under the age of 16, the invitation in paragraph (1) must also include an explanation of how the person's information will be held and used.]

(3) Where a registration officer is required by section 9E(1) of the 1983 Act to give a person an invitation to apply for registration—

[F340(za)the registration officer must give the invitation either—

(i)by delivering it to the person, leaving it at the person’s address or sending it to the person’s address by post; or

(ii)by electronic means;]

(a)the registration officer must give the invitation as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 28 days of the conditions in section 9E(1) being satisfied;

(b)the invitation must be in the form designed by the Electoral Commission under paragraph (1);

(c)the invitation must be accompanied by an application form in the form designed by the Electoral Commission under regulation 26(3), on which the registration officer has, if practicable, printed the full name and address of the person to be invited; and

(d)the invitation, the application form and a pre-addressed reply envelope, return postage of which has been prepaid, must be given in an envelope on which is printed—

(i)a direction requesting that the envelope is not redirected if it is incorrectly addressed; and

(ii)a direction requesting that any other person who receives the envelope who is resident at the address to which the invitation is addressed inform the registration officer if the addressee is not resident at that address and the registration officer’s contact details in order that they may do so.

[F341(3A) Paragraphs (3)(c) and (d) do not apply where the registration officer gives the invitation by electronic means in accordance with paragraph (3)(za)(ii).]

Textual Amendments

Steps to be taken by a registration officer to encourage a person to make an application for registration in response to an invitation to do soE+W

32ZD.—(1) If a registration officer has given a person an invitation to apply for registration under section 9E(1) of the 1983 Act and the person has not made an application to register within a reasonable time of receipt of the invitation, the registration officer must give the person a second invitation.

(2) If no application is received in respect of the second invitation within a reasonable time of receipt of the second invitation, the registration officer must give the person a third invitation.

(3) The registration officer may visit the address at which the first invitation was given in order to encourage the person to make an application for registration at any time and must make or have made one visit if no application has been received in response to the third invitation.

[F342(3A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, paragraph (3) does not require a registration officer to make, or have made, any visits in the case where the invitations were given to a person under the age of 16.]

(4) The second and third invitations to apply for registration, if required, must be in the same form as the first invitation to apply for registration.

(5) Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply if the registration officer is satisfied that—

(a)the person is not entitled to be registered at the address at which the invitation or invitations to register was or were given; or

(b)the person is registered at a different address.

(6) Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply in relation to a person whom the registration officer has reason to believe would, if registered, be registered—

(a)in pursuance of an application made by virtue of section 7(2) or 7A(2) of the 1983 Act;

(b)in pursuance of a declaration of local connection, service declaration or overseas elector’s declaration; or

(c)with an anonymous entry.

Textual Amendments

Requiring a person to make an application for registrationE+W

32ZE.—(1) Where a registration officer requires a person to make an application for registration by a specified date under section 9E(4) of the 1983 Act, the registration officer must give the person notice in writing of the requirement.

(2) A registration officer may not require a person to apply for registration unless—

(a)the registration officer has taken the last of the steps required by regulation 32ZD;

(b)the registration officer has established that the person—

(i)has received an invitation to apply for registration;

(ii)has been informed how to make an application for registration; and

(iii)has been informed that the registration officer may impose a civil penalty if the person is required to make an application but does not do so; and

(c)the registration officer has established that the person is resident at the address at which the invitations to apply for registration were given.

(3) A notice under paragraph (1) must state—

(a)the date by which the person must make an application for registration;

(b)that, if the person does not make an application by that date, the registration officer may impose a civil penalty on that person;

(c)the amount of any such civil penalty and the rate of interest payable if the penalty is not paid on time;

(d)that, if the person is not entitled to be registered, they must, before the date in sub-paragraph (a), inform the registration officer of that fact and explain why they are not so entitled, and the person is not required to make an application for registration;

(e)that, if the person is registered at another address, they must, before the date in sub-paragraph (a), inform the registration officer of that fact and provide that address, and the person is not required to make an application for registration;

(f)that the person may make other representations before the date in sub-paragraph (a) as to why they should not be required to make an application to register by the specified date, or why a civil penalty should not be imposed if they do not do so.

[F343(3A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Wales, the following provisions of this regulation do not apply in the case of a person who is under the age of 16—

(a)paragraphs (2)(b)(iii) and (3)(b) and (c);

(b)paragraph (3)(f), so far as requiring a notice to state that the person may make representations about why a civil penalty should not be imposed.]

(4) The registration officer must give with the notice an application form in the form designed by the Electoral Commission under regulation 26(3) on which the registration officer has, if practicable, printed the full name and address of the person.

(5) A registration officer must cancel a requirement to make an application for registration, and give the person concerned notice in writing of the cancellation, if—

(a)the registration officer is satisfied that the person is not entitled to be registered at the address at which the invitations to register were given; or

(b)the registration officer is satisfied that the person is registered at a different address; or

(c)any of the requirements in paragraph (2) has not been met.

(6) A registration officer may cancel a requirement to make an application for registration if the registration officer considers it appropriate to do so and must give the person concerned notice in writing of the cancellation.

Textual Amendments

Notice of Civil PenaltyE+W

32ZF.—(1) The amount of the civil penalty, which a registration officer may impose under section 9E(7) of the 1983 Act, is £80.

(2) Where the registration officer imposes a civil penalty under that section, the registration officer must give the person notice in writing that the penalty has been imposed and specify the reasons for imposing it.

(3) The notice in paragraph (2) must state that the person must—

(a)within 28 days of the date of the notice, make an application to register;

(b)within 28 days of the date of the notice, pay the full amount of the civil penalty; or

(c)within 14 days of the date of the notice, request a review of the decision to impose the civil penalty.

(4) The notice in paragraph (2) must also state—

(a)the amount due;

(b)how to make payment;

(c)the rate of interest payable if the penalty is not paid on time; and

(d)that making an application to register within 28 days will prevent the person being liable to pay the civil penalty.

Textual Amendments

Payment, enforcement and cancellation of civil penaltyE+W

32ZG.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a person on whom a civil penalty is imposed under section 9E(7) of the 1983 Act must pay the amount of the penalty to the registration officer who imposed it within 28 days of the date of the notice given under regulation 32ZF(2).

(2) If a person on whom a civil penalty is imposed requests a review under regulation 32ZH(1) or brings an appeal under regulation 32ZI(1), the 28 day period in paragraph (1) ceases to run whilst that review or appeal is being considered, and in the calculation of that period—

(a)the day on which the review is requested or the appeal brought shall be excluded; and

(b)the day on which the review or appeal is concluded shall be included.

(3) If the person does not pay the civil penalty as required by paragraph (1) or (2), interest at 8% per annum will be charged from the date payment becomes overdue to the date of payment.

(4) A civil penalty not paid in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) and any interest on the civil penalty is recoverable, if the county court so orders on the application of the registration officer, as if it were payable under an order of that court.

(5) A registration officer must cancel a civil penalty, and give the person concerned notice in writing of the cancellation, if—

(a)the person makes an application for registration at any time before the time for payment of the civil penalty in paragraph (1) or (2) has elapsed;

(b)the registration officer is satisfied that—

(i)the person is not entitled to be registered at the address at which the invitations to register were given; or

(ii)the person is registered at a different address; or

(c)any of the requirements in regulation 32ZE(2) has not been met.

(6) A registration officer may cancel the civil penalty if the registration officer considers it appropriate to do so and must give the person concerned notice in writing of the cancellation.

Textual Amendments

Review of registration officer’s decision to impose a civil penaltyE+W

32ZH.—(1) A person on whom a civil penalty has been imposed may request a review of the registration officer’s decision to impose the penalty.

(2) A request under paragraph (1) must be made in writing within 14 days of the date of the notice given under regulation 32ZF(2).

(3) Where a person requests a review of the registration officer’s decision under paragraph (1), the registration officer must within 7 days of receiving the request give notice in writing to the person—

(a)acknowledging the request;

(b)informing the person that they may within 14 days of the date of the notice—

(i)make representations explaining why they have not made an application to register or why the civil penalty should be cancelled;

(ii)submit evidence in support of such representations; and

(c)explaining how such representations may be made and such evidence may be submitted.

(4) The registration officer must carry out a review, and such review may not start before the earlier of—

(a)the end of the fourteenth day after the date of the notice sent under paragraph (3); or

(b)the receipt of any representations or evidence.

(5) Following a review under paragraph (4), the registration officer may—

(a)uphold the decision to issue a civil penalty; or

(b)cancel the civil penalty.

(6) The registration officer must inform the person in writing of the outcome of the review.

(7) If the registration officer upholds the decision to impose a civil penalty, the notice must also state that the person on whom the penalty has been imposed—

(a)may appeal against that decision to the First-tier Tribunal, and how to make such an appeal; and

(b)must pay the penalty by a specified date, which shall be the date on which the 28 day period in regulation 32ZG(1) or (2) expires.

Textual Amendments

Appeals to the First-tier Tribunal against a notice of civil penaltyE+W

32ZI.—(1) If a registration officer upholds the decision to issue a civil penalty under regulation 32ZH(5)(a), the person on whom the penalty was imposed may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

(2) On an appeal under paragraph (1) the First-tier Tribunal may—

(a)uphold the registration officer’s decision to impose the civil penalty; or

(b)cancel the civil penalty.]

Textual Amendments

[F344Representations regarding clerical errorsE+W

32A.—(1) For the purposes of section 13B(3C) of the 1983 Act a representation may be made orally or in writing.

(2) Where a representation is made in a polling station to a presiding officer, the presiding officer must as soon as practicable communicate that representation to the relevant registration officer.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Circumstances when the power in section 10A(5)(b) of the 1983 Act appliesE+W

F34533.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I27Reg. 33 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Retaining entries in registerE+W

F34634.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Registration officer’s right to inspect certain recordsE+W

35.—(1) A registration officer is authorised to inspect, for the purpose of his registration duties, records kept (in whatever form) by—

(a)an authority listed in paragraph (2) below, or

(b)any person providing services to, or authorised to exercise any function of, any such authority.

(2) Those authorities are—

(a)the council by which he was appointed;

[F347(aa)where the council by which he was appointed is a council for a district in a county for which there is a county council, that county council;] and

(b)[F348any superintendent registrar of births, deaths and marriages, registrar of births and deaths or registrar of marriages].

(3) A registration officer is authorised to make copies of information contained in such records.

[F349(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1), a registration officer’s “registration duties” do not include the officer’s functions in relation to a relevant absent voting application.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I28Reg. 35 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F350Disclosure of certain local authorities’ recordsE+W

35A.—(1) A local authority listed in paragraph (2) may disclose to a registration officer information contained in records held by that authority, for any of the purposes mentioned in paragraph 1A(1) of Schedule 2 to the 1983 Act [F351except for the purpose of verifying information related to a person named in a relevant absent voting application].

(2) The authorities are—

(a)the authority by which the registration officer was appointed; and

(b)where the council by which the registration officer was appointed is a council for a district in a county for which there is a county council, that county council.

(3) A disclosure under paragraph (1) may be made only in accordance with a written agreement between the authority and the registration officer regulating the processing of the information, including its transfer, storage, destruction and security.

(4) Where an authority refuses a request by a registration officer to disclose information under paragraph (1) it must give the registration officer written reasons for its refusal.]

Textual Amendments

Notices in connection with registrationE+W

36.—(1) A notice under section 13(3) of the 1983 Act(15) must be published—

(a)not less than 14 days before the publication of the revised version of the register to which it relates;

(b)in a newspaper circulating in the area for which the registration officer acts, and

(c)by posting a copy of it at his office and in some conspicuous place or places in that area.

(2) A notice under section 13A(2) [F352,13AB(2)] [F353, ]13B(3) [F354, (3B) or (3D)] [F355or 13BC(3) or (6)] of that Act must be issued by—

[F356(a)making a copy of it available for inspection under supervision—

(i)at his office, and

(ii)at such places, if any, in his registration area as allow members of the public in that area reasonable facilities for that purpose;

(aa)supplying copies of it in accordance with Part VI of these Regulations;]

(b)except in a case falling within [F357regulation 29(2BA), 31C and 31FZA] above, sending a copy of it to any person affected by its contents.

[F358(3) For the purposes of section 13B(3A) and (3C) of the 1983 Act the prescribed time on the day of the poll is 9pm.]

[F359(4) For the purposes of section 13BC(5)(a) of the 1983 Act (alteration of the registers: recall petition), the prescribed time is one hour before the end of the signing period (within the meaning of section 9(2) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015).]

Textual Amendments

F353Comma in reg. 36(2) substituted for word (4.3.2016) by The Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/295), regs. 1, 152(2)(a)(i)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C41Reg. 36(2)(b) excluded (7.5.2024) by S.I. 2023/1150, regs. 11(3), 12(5), 13(4), 20(3) (as inserted by The Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1406), regs. 1(4), 16)

Commencement Information

I29Reg. 36 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F360Communication of notices made on polling dayE+W

36A.—(1) Where a notice is issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act on the day of the poll, the registration officer must take reasonable steps to ensure that the notice comes to the attention of the relevant presiding officer.

(2) Such steps may include communicating the notice to the presiding officer by telephone.

(3) Where a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act is communicated to a presiding officer by telephone, the presiding officer must make a written record of that notice.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Notice by registration officer of a change of addressE+W

37.—(1) This regulation applies where a registration officer receives an application for registration which includes a statement given in accordance with regulation 26(1)(c) above.

(2) Where the address given in the statement received by the registration officer (“the new registration officer”) is in an area for which another registration officer (“the former registration officer”) acts, the new registration officer shall as soon as practicable notify the former registration officer that the applicant no longer resides in his area.

Commencement Information

I30Reg. 37 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

The registerE+W

Separate part of a register for each parliamentary polling districtE+W

38.—(1) The register shall be framed in separate parts for each parliamentary polling district.

(2) Where a parliamentary polling district is contained in more than one electoral area, there shall be a separate part of the register for each part of the polling district contained in each electoral area.

Commencement Information

I31Reg. 38 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Different letter for each parliamentary polling districtE+W

39.  There shall be a different letter or letters in the register for each parliamentary polling district and such letter or letters shall be deemed to form part of an elector’s number in the register.

Commencement Information

I32Reg. 39 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Qualifying addresses which are not included in the registerE+W

40.—(1) Section 9(2)(b) of the 1983 Act(16) (which requires each register of parliamentary or local government electors to contain the qualifying addresses of the persons registered in it) does not apply—

(a)to an address to which paragraph (2) or (3) below applies, or

(b)which is specified in an overseas elector’s declaration in accordance with [F361section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4)] of the 1985 Act(17).

(2) This paragraph applies to an address where it appears to the registration officer that—

(a)a service voter in his service declaration, or

(b)a person who has made a declaration of local connection,

has given that address in such a declaration as an address—

(i)at which he has resided, but

(ii)which is not an address at which he is or would be residing but for the circumstances entitling him to make such a declaration.

(3) This paragraph applies to an address given in a declaration of local connection in accordance with section 7B(4)(b) of the 1983 Act(18).

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I33Reg. 40 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Order of namesE+W

41.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) below, the names and addresses of each separate part of the register shall be arranged in street order.

(2) If the registration officer determines for any part of the register that street order is not reasonably practicable, the names and addresses shall be arranged in alphabetical order or partly in street order and partly in alphabetical order.

(3) The name of any person whose qualifying address is not contained in a register by virtue of regulation 40 above shall be grouped together in alphabetical order—

(a)at the end of that part of the register to which the address relates;

(b)beneath the heading “Other electors”, and

(c)without giving that address.

Commencement Information

I34Reg. 41 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F362Anonymous entriesE+W

41A.—(1) An anonymous entry of a person consists of that person’s electoral number together with the letter “N”.

(2) The entry is to be entered in the register—

(a)at the end of the part of the register which relates to the qualifying address of the person entitled to the entry,

(b)under the heading of “Other electors” as mentioned in regulation 41(3)(b), and

(c)following the names grouped together under that heading in pursuance of that regulation.]

Textual Amendments

Marking of namesE+W

42.—(1) [F363Paragraphs (3), [F364(3A),] (5) and (6)] below specify the marks to appear against a person’s [F365entry] in the register to indicate that he is registered in one or more [F366of the two registers (those of: parliamentary electors and local government elections)] which are required to be combined.

(2) Where no mark appears against a person’s [F365entry] in the register of electors, this indicates that he is registered in the registers of parliamentary and local government electors.

(3) [F367Subject to paragraph (3B), to] indicate that a relevant citizen of the Union is registered only in the register of local government electors [F368in Wales], the letter “G” shall be placed against his [F365entry].

[F369(3A) To indicate that a qualifying foreign citizen is registered only in the register of local government electors in Wales, the letter “M” shall be placed against the person's entry.]

[F370(3B) To indicate that a relevant citizen of the Union who is registered only in the register of local government electors in Wales is also a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights, the letter “B” shall be placed against the person’s entry.

(3C) To indicate that a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights is registered only in the register of local government electors in England, the letter “B” shall be placed against the person’s entry.]

F371(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) To indicate that any other person is registered only in the register of local government electors, the letter “L” shall be placed against his [F365entry].

(6) To indicate that an overseas elector is registered only in the register of parliamentary electors, the letter “F” shall be placed against his [F365entry].

F372(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I35Reg. 42 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Publication of registerE+W

43.—[F373(1) The manner in which each revised version of the full register is to be published under section 13(1) and (3) of the 1983 Act is by the registration officer—

(a)making a copy of it available for inspection under supervision—

(i)at his office, and

(ii)at such places, if any, in his registration area as allow members of the public in that area reasonable facilities for that purpose; and

(b)supplying copies of it in accordance with Part VI of these Regulations.

(1A) Where a copy of the full register is made available pursuant to paragraph (1)(a) above by providing the register on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, the registration officer shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on, which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to—

(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or

(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic, or any other, means.]

(2) The revised version of the register shall be kept published until the coming into force of the next revised version of it.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I36Reg. 43 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Information about registerE+W

44.—(1) As soon as practicable after the publication of a revised version of the register under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, the registration officer shall supply to the Secretary of State a document setting out the information about electors which is required by paragraphs (2) to (4) [F374and (6)] below.

(2) The document referred to in paragraph (1) above shall state the name of the constituency (and, if only part of the constituency is situated in the area for which the registration officer acts, that fact) and shall list the following total numbers of electors in that constituency or part thereof, namely—

(a)parliamentary electors (including those referred to in sub-paragraph (d) below);

(b)local government electors (including those referred to in sub-paragraph (d) below);

(c)those local government electors who are ineligible to vote at parliamentary elections; and

(d)those registered in pursuance of section 4(5) of the 1983 Act(19).

(3) The document referred to in paragraph (1) above shall set out separately as respects those electors referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) and (d) of paragraph (2) above the following totals, namely—

(a)those registered by virtue of residence at a qualifying address;

(b)those registered in pursuance of a service declaration;

(c)those registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration; and

(d)those registered in pursuance of a declaration of local connection.

(4) The document referred to in paragraph (1) above shall in respect of each relevant area in the constituency state—

(a)its name or number;

(b)the letters referred to in regulation 39 above for each parliamentary polling district in each relevant area (or part thereof); and

(c)if only part of the relevant area is situated in the constituency, that fact;

and shall list the following total numbers of electors in that area (or part thereof) namely—

(i)parliamentary electors (including those referred to in sub-paragraph (ii)) below;

(ii)those registered by virtue of section 4(5) of the 1983 Act; and

(iii)those local government electors who are ineligible to vote at parliamentary elections.

(5) In paragraph (4) above “relevant area” means—

(a)in England, a ward of a district, of a London borough or of the City of London, and

(b)in Wales, an electoral division of a county or county borough.

[F375(6) The document referred to in paragraph (1) shall state the total number of electors who have an anonymous entry.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I37Reg. 44 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Preparation and publication of list of overseas electorsE+W

45.—(1) The registration officer shall prepare [F376and maintain] a list of the names of each person who appears to him to be entitled to be registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration (“the list of overseas electors”); and shall include in that list the address specified in that declaration in accordance with [F377section 1C(2)(a)(i), (3)(a)(i) or (4) of the 1985 Act and the elector’s present address].

[F378(1A) But in the case of a person who has an anonymous entry, the list of overseas electors must contain only—

(a)the person’s electoral number, and

(b)the date on which the person’s entitlement to remain registered anonymously will terminate under section 9C(1) of the 1983 Act (in the absence of a further application under section 9B of that Act).]

(2) In respect of each constituency which is wholly or partly comprised in the area for which the registration officer acts there shall be a separate part of the list of overseas electors; and the names of the persons included in each part [F379who do not have an anonymous entry must be listed in alphabetical order, followed by the electoral numbers of persons with an anonymous entry].

(3) At the time when the registration officer publishes a revised version of the register under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, he shall publish the list of overseas electors by making a copy of it available for inspection [F380under supervision] at his office; and the list shall be kept so published until the next revised version of the register is published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act.

F381(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I38Reg. 45 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F382Record of anonymous entriesE+W

45A.—(1) The registration officer must keep a record of anonymous entries.

(2) The registration officer must enter in the record each person who is entered in the register with an anonymous entry.

(3) The entry in the record must contain the following particulars—

(a)the full name of the person to whom the entry relates;

(b)his electoral number;

(c)his qualifying address;

(d)where he has given in his application for an anonymous entry an address other than his qualifying address to which correspondence should be sent, that address;

(e)the date on which the anonymous entry in the register took effect.

(4) Where the application of a person with an anonymous entry to vote by post is granted, the registration officer must also enter in the record the address to which the postal ballot paper should be sent as given in the application (in accordance with regulation 51(2)(d)).

Textual Amendments

Duties of registration officer and his staff in relation to record of anonymous entriesE+W

45B.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)the registration officer,

(b)any deputy registration officer, and

(c)any person appointed to assist any such officer or who in the course of his employment is assigned to assist such officer in his registration duties.

(2) Where the registration officer is also the returning officer or acting returning officer at any election or counting officer at any referendum (and in consequence has access to the record of anonymous entries without being supplied with a copy of it), this regulation applies to—

(a)the registration officer acting in that other capacity,

(b)any deputy returning officer, deputy acting returning officer or deputy counting officer, and

(c)any person appointed to assist any person mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) or who in the course of his employment is assigned to assist any such officer in his duties in respect of the election or referendum in question.

(3) No person to whom this regulation applies may—

(a)supply to any person a copy of the record,

(b)disclose information contained in it, or

(c)make use of such information,

otherwise than in accordance with an enactment (including these Regulations) or the order of any court or tribunal made at any hearing or during the course of any proceedings.

(4) Nothing in paragraph (3) applies to the supply or disclosure by a person to whom this regulation applies to another such person in connection with his registration duties or for the purposes of an election or referendum.

(5) The persons to whom this regulation applies must take proper precautions for the safe custody of the record.

(6) In this regulation and regulation 45C—

“counting officer” means the counting officer at a referendum held by or under any Act;

“enactment” has the same meaning as in section 17(2) of the 2000 Act(20).

Textual Amendments

Supply of record of anonymous entries to returning and counting officersE+W

45C.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies whenever the registration officer supplies a copy of the full register, or any part of it, to a returning officer or counting officer.

(2) The registration officer must supply—

(a)together with the copy of the register, a copy of the record of anonymous entries;

(b)together with any part of the register, a copy of the record so far as it relates to that part.

(3) A registration officer may supply a copy of the record to a returning officer or counting officer at any other time.

(4) No person to whom a copy of the record has been supplied under this regulation may—

(a)supply a copy of the record,

(b)disclose any information contained in it, or

(c)make use of any such information,

other than for the purposes of an election or referendum (as the case may be).

(5) Each person supplied with a copy of the record under this regulation must take proper precautions for its safe custody.

Textual Amendments

Supply of record of anonymous entries in connection with summoning of juriesE+W

45D.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to any person to whom a copy of the full register has been supplied or to whom information contained in it has been disclosed for the purpose of summoning juries, other than a designated officer within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Juries Act 1974.

(2) The registration officer must at the request in writing of a person to whom this paragraph applies supply to that person a copy of the record of anonymous entries.

(3) Paragraphs (4) and (5) apply to—

(a)each person who has been supplied with a copy of the record of anonymous entries in accordance with section 3(1A) of the Juries Act 1974;

(b)each person who has been supplied with a copy of the record in accordance with paragraph (2).

(4) No person to whom this paragraph applies may—

(a)supply a copy of the record,

(b)disclose any information contained in it, or

(c)make use of any such information,

other than for the purpose of summoning juries.

(5) The persons to whom this paragraph applies must take proper precautions for the safe custody of the record.

Textual Amendments

Supply of record of anonymous entries to the security servicesE+W

45E.—(1) This regulation applies where the registration officer supplies a copy of the full register to—

(a)the Security Service;

(b)the Government Communications Headquarters;

(c)the Secret Intelligence Service.

(2) The registration officer must supply a copy of the record of anonymous entries together with the register.

F383(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F383(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Supply of the record of anonymous entries to police forces and other organisationsE+W

45F.—(1) The registration officer must supply a copy of the record of anonymous entries, at the request in writing of a senior officer, to—

(a)any police force in Great Britain,

(b)the Police Service of Northern Ireland or the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Reserve),

(c)[F384so far as the record relates to an anonymous entry in a register of local government electors in Wales,] the Police Information Technology Organisation,

(d)any body of constables established under an Act, or

(e)the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

(2) Senior officer means—

(a)in the case of the forces and organisations mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) to (d), an officer of a rank senior to that of superintendent;

(b)in the case of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the Director General of that Agency.

(3) No person serving whether as a constable, officer or employee of any of the forces and organisations mentioned in paragraph (1) may—

(a)supply to any person a copy of the record,

(b)disclose any information contained in it, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for the purposes specified in paragraph (4).

(4) The purposes are—

(a)the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the criminal law (whether in England and Wales or elsewhere);

(b)the vetting of a relevant person for the purpose of safeguarding national security.

(5) Relevant person means—

(a)a constable or officer or prospective constable or officer of the force or organisation;

(b)an employee of, or applicant for employment by, the force or organisation.

(6) Each person supplied with a copy of the record under this regulation must take proper precautions for its safe custody.

Textual Amendments

F384Words in reg. 45F(1)(c) inserted (16.1.2023) by The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382), regs. 1(3), 38(3)

Certificate of anonymous registrationE+W

45G.—(1) Where a registration officer enters a person in the record of anonymous entries, he must issue to that person a certificate of anonymous registration.

(2) A certificate of anonymous registration must be in writing and signed by the registration officer.

(3) A certificate for anonymous registration must state—

(a)the name of the area for which the registration officer acts;

(b)the name, electoral number and qualifying address of the person who has the anonymous entry;

(c)the date on which the anonymous entry took effect;

(d)that unless a fresh application for an anonymous entry is made, the entitlement to remain registered anonymously will terminate no later than at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date stated in accordance with sub-paragraph (c).]

Textual Amendments

Certificate of anonymous registration prescribed for purposes of paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 2AE+W

F38545H.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Supply of free copies of register and list of overseas electors otherwise than on requestE+W

F38646.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Supply of free copies of register and list of overseas electors on requestE+W

F38647.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Sale of register and list of overseas electorsE+W

48.—(1) Subject to paragraph (4) below, the registration officer shall supply a copy or copies of the register or of the list of overseas electors to any person on payment of a fee calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3) below.

(2) In the case of the register—

(a)in data form, the fee shall be at the rate of £20 plus £1.50 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it; and

(b)in printed form, the fee shall be at the rate of £10 plus £5 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it.

(3) In the case of the list of overseas electors—

(a)in data form, the fee shall be at the rate of £20 plus £1.50 for each 100 entries (or remaining part of 100 entries) in it; and

(b)in printed form, the fee shall be at the rate of £10 plus £5 for each 100 entries (or remaining part of 100 entries) in it.

(4) The registration officer shall not supply a printed copy of the register under this regulation if to do so would result in his having insufficient copies of it for the purposes of any requirement made by or under any enactment.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I39Reg. 48 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Supply of register and list of overseas electors in data formE+W

49.—(1) Subject to any direction of the Secretary of State under section 52(1) of the 1983 Act(20), any duty on the registration officer to supply data under regulations 46 to 48 above imposes only a duty to supply such data recorded in the form in which he holds it.

(2) The registration officer shall not supply data which includes information not included in the printed version of the register otherwise than under regulation 46(4).

Commencement Information

I40Reg. 49 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

PART IVE+WABSENT VOTERS

Interpretation of Part IVE+W

50.  In this Part of these Regulations—

“Schedule 4” means Schedule 4 to the 2000 Act;F387...

[F388“absent voter” means an elector who is entitled to vote by proxy or an elector or proxy who is entitled to vote by post;]

“allotted polling station” has the meaning set out in regulation 53(7) below;

[F389“the maximum period” means the period specified in paragraph 3(1A)(a) or (1B)(a) of Schedule 4.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C47Reg. 50 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I41Reg. 50 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

General requirements for applications for an absent voteE+W

51.—(1) An application under Schedule 4 must comply with the requirements of this regulation and such further requirements in this Part of these Regulations as are relevant to the application.

(2) The application must state—

(a)the full name of the applicant;

[F390(aa)for a relevant absent voting application, the applicant’s national insurance number or, if they are not able to provide that information, the reason why they are not able to do so;]

(b)the address in respect of which the applicant is [F391registered or has applied to be (or is treated as having applied to be) registered] in the register except in the case of an application under paragraph 7(4) or (7) of Schedule 4;

(c)in the case of such an application, the proxy’s address, together with the name of the elector for whom he will act as proxy and the elector’s address for the purposes of sub-paragraph (b) above;

(d)in the case of a person applying to vote by post, the address to which the ballot paper should be sent,F392...

(e)in the case of an application to vote by proxy, the grounds on which the elector claims to be entitled to an absent vote.

[F393(f)in the case of a person who is unable to provide a signature, the reasons for his request for waiver of any requirement under paragraph 3, 4 or 7 of Schedule 4 to provide a signature and the name and address of any person who has assisted him to complete his application, and

(g)where the applicant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry, that fact.]

[F394(3) The application shall be made in writing and shall be dated.

(3A) Where an application is required to contain a signature and date of birth, the information must be set out in a manner that is sufficiently clear and unambiguous as to be capable of electronic scanning into his record by configuring the information as follows—

(a)the signature shall appear against a background of white unlined paper of at least five centimetres long and two centimetres high; and

(b)the applicant’s date of birth shall be set out numerically configured in the sequence of date, month and year, namely [d][d][m][m][y][y][y][y].

(3B) Where the application contains a request that the registration officer waive the requirement for a signature, sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (3A) shall not apply.]

(4) An application under Schedule 4 which is made for an indefinite period [F395, the maximum period] or the period specified in the application must state-

(a)that it is so made, and

(b)whether it is made for parliamentary elections, local government elections or both.

(5) An application under Schedule 4 which is made for a particular parliamentary or local government election must-

(a)state that it is so made, and

(b)identify the election in question,

but, where the poll at one election falls on the same day as the poll at another election, the same application may be used for both elections.

(6) Where an application is made to vote by proxy, it shall include an application for the appointment of a proxy which meets the requirements of regulation 52 below.

[F396(7) Where, by virtue of arrangements made by the Secretary of State, a relevant absent voting application may be made through the digital service—

(a)the Secretary of State may complete the application in part using information provided by the applicant as part of an application, or partially completed application, under section 10ZC or 10ZD of the 1983 Act for registration in, or alteration of, a register of electors made through or completed using the digital service;

(b)where the application is required to contain a signature, the application must contain a compliant photograph or electronic scan of the applicant’s signature;

(c)the Secretary of State must—

(i)request that the applicant provide their most recent previous name (if they have one), and

(ii)provide an explanation of the purpose for which the information will be used.

(8) In paragraph (7)(b), “compliant photograph or electronic scan of the applicant’s signature” means—

(a)the signature contained in the photograph or electronic scan complies with the requirements of sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (3A), and

(b)the photograph or electronic scan of the signature is sufficiently clear and unambiguous so as to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3A).

(9) Where an applicant is unable to provide a national insurance number in accordance with paragraph (2)(aa), the applicant may provide as part of the application a copy of any of the documents listed in regulation 56C(2) to (4).

(10) The Secretary of State must send to the registration officer—

(a)subject to paragraph (11), any relevant absent voting application the Secretary of State receives,

(b)the applicant’s previous name (if any provided),

(c)any copy documentation provided by the applicant in accordance with paragraph (9), and

(d)a reference number unique to that application.

(11) Where a relevant absent voting application made through the digital service in accordance with paragraph (7) includes the applicant’s national insurance number the Secretary of State—

(a)may send the registration officer that application without the national insurance number, and

(b)where the Secretary of State does so, must indicate to the registration officer that a national insurance number was included when the application was made by the applicant.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C50Reg. 51 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I42Reg. 51 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F397Additional provision concerning the requirement that an application for an absent vote must be signed by the applicantE+W

[F39851A.  The registration officer may satisfy himself—

(a)that an application under Schedule 4 meets any requirements that it has been signed by the applicant and states his date of birth by referring to any signature and date of birth—

(i)previously provided by the applicant to the registration officer or the returning officer; or

(ii)previously provided by the applicant to the authority referred to in regulation 35(2)(a), which the registration officer is authorised to inspect for the purposes of his registration duties; and

(b)as to whether the applicant is unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature due to any disability or inability to read or write.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F399Additional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to different address from that stated in applicationE+W

51AA.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where—

(a)in the case of an application to vote by post under paragraph 3(1) or (7) or 4(1) of Schedule 4, the addresses stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(b) and (d) are different;

(b)in the case of an application by a proxy to vote by post under paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 4, the proxy’s address stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(c) and the address stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(d) are different.

(2) The application must set out why the applicant’s circumstances will be or are likely to be such that he requires the ballot paper to be sent to the address stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(d).

(3) This regulation does not apply where an applicant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Additional requirements for applications for ballot papers to be sent to different address from that shown in the record kept under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4E+W

51B.—[F400(1)] An application under—

(a)paragraph 4(3)(a) of Schedule 4 by a person shown as voting by post in the record kept under paragraph 3(4) of that Schedule; or

(b)paragraph 7(7) of that Schedule by a person shown as voting by post in the record kept under paragraph 7(6) of that Schedule,

for his ballot paper to be sent to a different address from that shown in the record shall set out why the applicant’s circumstances will be or are likely to be such that he requires his ballot paper to be sent to that address.

[F401(2) This regulation does not apply where an applicant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry.]]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Additional requirements for applications for the appointment of a proxyE+W

52.—[F402(A1) Paragraph (1) applies to an application for the appointment of a proxy for the purposes of voting by proxy at a parliamentary election, or at a local government election in England, where that application is—

(a)included in an application under paragraph 3 or 4 of Schedule 4 in accordance with regulation 51(6), or

(b)otherwise made under paragraph 6(7) [F403or (8)] of Schedule 4.]

[F404(1)] An application F405... shall state the full name and address of the person whom the applicant wishes to appoint as his proxy, F406... and-

(a)if it is signed only by the applicant, shall contain a statement by him that he has consulted the person so named and that that person is capable of being and willing to be appointed to vote as his proxy, or

(b)if it is also signed by the person to be appointed, shall contain a statement by that person that he is capable of being and willing to be appointed to vote as the applicant’s proxy.

[F407(1ZA) If the application for the appointment of a proxy is for the purposes of voting by proxy at a local government election in Wales, the application must also state the family relationship, if any, of the proxy with the applicant.]

[F408(1A) Paragraph (1B) applies where—

(a)an application under paragraph 6(7) or (8) of Schedule 4 for the appointment of a proxy for the purposes of voting by proxy at a parliamentary election or at a local government election in England is made by a person (“A”);

(b)A has previously appointed a person (“B”) as A’s proxy for those purposes;

(c)at the time of making the application, B’s appointment remains in force; and

(d)A’s application is made on grounds relating to voter identification which relate to B.

(1B) Where this paragraph applies A’s application must—

(a)state that this paragraph applies, and

(b)state, to the best of A’s knowledge and belief, which of the conditions set out in regulation 56A apply in respect of B.

(1C) In paragraph (1A)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (a), the reference to an application under paragraph 6(8) of Schedule 4 includes such an application which is included in an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4;

(b)in sub-paragraph (d), “grounds relating to voter identification” is interpreted in accordance with regulation 56A(1).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C66Reg. 52 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(iii))

Commencement Information

I43Reg. 52 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Additional requirements for applications for a proxy vote for a definite or indefinite period on grounds of [F409[F410severe sight-impairment] or any other disability] E+W

53.—(1) An application to vote by proxy for a [F411particular] or indefinite period under paragraph 3(3)(b) of Schedule 4 shall specify [F412the disability] by reason of which it is made.

[F413(2) Subject to paragraph (3) below, such an application shall be attested and signed by—

(a)a registered medical practitioner;

(b)a nurse registered on the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Council under article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 by virtue of qualifications in nursing;

(c)a registered dentist as defined by section 53(1) of the Dentists Act 1984;

(d)a registered dispensing optician or a registered optometrist within the meaning of the Opticians Act 1989;

[F414(e)a registered pharmacist as defined by article 3(1) of the Pharmacy Order 2010;]

(f)a registered osteopath as defined by section 41 of the Osteopaths Act 1993;

(g)a registered chiropractor as defined by section 43 of the Chiropractors Act 1994;

(h)a Christian Science practitioner;

F415(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(j)a person registered as a member of a profession to which the [F416Health Professions Order 2001 for the time being extends, or registered in the register of social workers in England maintained under section 39(1) of the Children and Social Work Act 2017];

(k)the person carrying on a care home registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000;

[F417(ka)the person who is registered under Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 as the provider of a care home service (within the meaning of Part 1 of that Act) which is provided wholly or mainly to persons aged 18 or over;]

(l)the warden of premises forming one of a group of premises provided for persons of pensionable age or disabled persons for which there is a resident warden, where the applicant states that he resides in such premises;

(m)a manager within the meaning of section 145(1) of the Mental Health Act 1983, or on behalf of such a manager; or

(n)a person registered in the register for social workers maintained in accordance with [F418section 80 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016].

(3) A person who qualifies—

(a)by virtue of any of sub-paragraphs (a) to (j) of paragraph (2) above, may not attest an application for these purposes unless—

(i)he is treating the applicant for the disability specified in the application; or

(ii)the applicant is receiving care from him in respect of that disability; or

[F419(iii)the person is a social worker who qualifies by virtue of sub-paragraph (j) of paragraph (2), and has arranged care or assistance for the applicant in respect of that disability; or]

(b)by virtue of sub-paragraph (n) of paragraph (2) above, may not attest an application for these purposes unless—

(i)he is treating the applicant for the disability specified in the application;

(ii)the applicant is receiving care from him in respect of that disability; or

(iii)he has arranged care or assistance for the person in respect of their disability.

(4) The person attesting the application shall state—

(a)his name and address and the qualification by virtue of which he attests the application;

(b)where the person who attests the application is a person referred to in paragraph (3)(a) above, that—

(i)he is treating the applicant for the disability specified in the application; or

(ii)the applicant is receiving care from him in respect of that disability;

(c)where the person who attests the application is a person referred to in paragraph (3)(b) above, that—

(i)he is treating the applicant for the disability specified in the application;

(ii)the applicant is receiving care from him in respect of that disability; or

(iii)he has arranged care or assistance for the applicant in respect of that disability;

(d)that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the applicant has the disability specified in the application and that he cannot reasonably be expected to go in person to his allotted polling station or to vote unaided there by reason of that disability; and

(e)that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the disability specified in the application is likely to continue either indefinitely or for a period specified by the person attesting the application.]

(5) Paragraphs (2) to (4) above shall not apply where—

(a)the application is based on the applicant’s [F420severe sight-impairment] and the applicant is registered [F421by the local authority which is specified in the application as—

[F422(i)a severely sight-impaired person in a register kept by a local authority in Wales under section 18(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014; or]

(ii)a person who is severely sight-impaired under section 77(1) of the Care Act 2014 (registers of sight-impaired adults); or]

(b)the application states that the applicant is in receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of a disability living allowance (payable under section 73 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(21)) [F423, armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011] [F424[F425,] the enhanced rate of the mobility component of personal independence payment (payable under section 79(2) of the Welfare Reform Act 2012)] [F426or the higher rate of the mobility component of disability assistance for children and young people [F427or the enhanced rate of the mobility component of disability assistance for working age people] (payable in accordance with regulations made under section 31 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018)] because of the [F428disability] specified in the application.

[F429(5A) A person who qualifies by virtue of sub-paragraph (m) of paragraph (2) above, shall, instead of the matters specified in paragraph (4)(a) above, state in the attestation—

(i)his name;

(ii)his position in the hospital at which the applicant is liable to be detained or at which he is receiving treatment;

(iii)that he is a person authorised to make the attestation; and

(iv)in the case of an applicant who is liable to be detained in hospital, the statutory provision under which the applicant is liable to be so detained.]

(6) The fact that an applicant is registered F430... [F431as severely sight-impaired by a local authority under section 77(1) of the Care Act 2014 (registers of sight-impaired adults)] [F432or in a register kept by a local authority in Wales under section 18(1) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014] shall be deemed sufficient evidence that he is eligible to vote by proxy on the grounds set out in paragraph 3(3)(b) of Schedule 4.

(7) In this regulation and in regulations 54 and 55 below, “his allotted polling station”, in relation to an elector means the polling station allotted or likely to be allotted to him under the appropriate rules (as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 4).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I44Reg. 53 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Additional requirements for applications for a proxy vote for a definite or indefinite period based on occupation, service, employment or attendance on a courseE+W

54.—(1) An application to vote by proxy for a [F433particular] or indefinite period under paragraph 3(3)(c) of Schedule 4 shall state—

(a)whether the occupation, service or employment in respect of which it is made is that of the applicant or his spouse [F434or civil partner] or, as the case may be, it is the applicant or his spouse [F434or civil partner] who is attending the course provided by an educational institution in respect of which the application is made;

(b)the nature of the occupation, service or employment or course provided by an educational institution giving rise to the application;

(c)where the person in respect of whose occupation, service or employment it is made (in this regulation referred to as “the employed person”) is self employed, that fact; and in any other case the name of that person’s employer;

(d)the reason, relevant to the general nature of the employment, service or occupation in question or the course provided by an educational institution, why the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to go in person to his allotted polling station.

(2) Such an application shall be attested and signed—

(a)where the person is self-employed, by a person who—

(i)is aged 18 years or over;

(ii)knows the self-employed person; and

(iii)is not related to him;

(b)by the employer of the employed person or by another employee to whom this function is delegated by the employer; and

(c)in the case of a course provided by an educational institution, by the director or tutor of that course or by the principal or head of that institution or an employee to whom this function is delegated by the head or principal.

(3) The person attesting an application made under paragraph (2) above shall—

(a)where the applicant is the employed person or the person attending the course, certify that the statements required by sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph (1) above to be included in the application are true; or

(b)where the applicant is the spouse [F435or civil partner] of the employed person or the person attending the course, certify that the statements included in the application in accordance with the requirements of sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (1) above are true.

(4) The person attesting an application under paragraph (2) above shall also state—

(a)his name and address, that he is aged 18 years or over, that he knows the employed person, self-employed person or person attending a course provided by an educational institution but is not related to him; and

(b)if he is attesting as or on behalf of the employer of the employed person, that he is the employer or the position he holds in the employment of that employer; or

(c)if he is attesting an application made on the grounds of attendance at a course provided by an educational institution, the post he holds at that institution.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, one person is related to another if he is the [F436spouse, civil partner,] parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the other.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I45Reg. 54 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F437Additional requirements for applications for a proxy vote in respect of a particular electionE+W

55.—(1) An application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4 to vote by proxy at a particular election shall set out why the applicant’s circumstances on the date of the poll for that election in respect of which it is made will be or are likely to be such that he cannot reasonably be expected to vote in person at his allotted polling station.

[F438(1A) Paragraph (1) does not apply where the applicant has an anonymous entry.]

(2) Where an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4—

(a)is made on the grounds of the applicant’s [F439disability]; and

(b)is made after 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made,

the requirements of regulation 53 as to the matters to be specified and the attestation shall apply.

(3) Where an application mentioned in paragraph (2) above is made, the person who attests the application shall state, in addition to those matters specified in [F440regulation 53], to the best of his knowledge and belief, the date upon which the applicant became [F441disabled].

[F442(3A) Where an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4—

(a)is made on grounds relating to the applicant’s occupation, service or employment; and

(b)is made after 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made,

the requirements of regulation 55A as to the matters to be specified and the attestation shall apply.]

[F443(4) Where an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4 is made by a person to whom paragraph 2(5A) of that Schedule applies after 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made, the requirements of paragraph (5) below as to the matters to be specified and as to attestation shall apply.

(5) Where an application mentioned in paragraph (4) above is made—

(a)the application shall additionally state the name and address of the hospital at which the applicant is liable to be detained; and

(b)the application shall be attested by or on behalf of a manager, within the meaning of section 145(1) of the Mental Health Act 1983, of the hospital at which the applicant is liable to be detained, and the attestation shall state—

(i)the name of the person attesting the application;

(ii)his position in the hospital at which the applicant is liable to be detained;

(iii)that he is a person authorised to make the attestation; and

(iv)the statutory provision under which the applicant is liable to be detained in the hospital.

[F444(5A) Where an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4 is made after 5pm on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made because the circumstances set out in paragraph (3F)(a) of regulation 56 apply, the application must (in addition to providing any other information required by this Part) state that it is being made because of those circumstances.]

(6) This regulation does not apply where an applicant has an anonymous entry.]]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C70Reg. 55 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

[F445Additional requirements for application for an emergency proxy vote in respect of a particular election [F446: grounds relating to occupation, service or employment] E+W

55A.—(1) This regulation sets out the requirements referred to in regulation 55(3A).

(2) The application must (in addition to providing the information required by regulation 55(1)) state—

(a)where the applicant is self-employed, that fact; and, in any other case, the name of the applicant’s employer;

(b)that the reason provided in accordance with regulation 55(1) relates to the applicant’s occupation, service or employment; and

(c)the date on which the applicant became aware of that reason.

(3) Paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) apply unless the applicant is or will be registered as a service voter.

(4) The application must be attested and signed—

(a)where the applicant is self-employed, by a person who—

(i)is aged 18 years or over;

(ii)knows the applicant; and

(iii)is not related to the applicant;

(b)where the applicant is not self-employed, by the applicant’s employer or by another employee to whom this function is delegated by the employer.

(5) The person attesting an application under paragraph (4) (the “attestor”) must certify that the statements required by paragraph (2) and the information required by regulation 55(1) are true to the best of their knowledge and belief.

(6) The attestor shall also state—

(a)the attestor’s name and address; and

(b)if the attestor is attesting—

(i)where the applicant is self-employed, that the attestor is aged 18 years or over and that the attestor knows, but is not related to, the applicant; or

(ii)as or on behalf of the employer of the applicant, that the attestor is the employer, or the position the attestor holds in the employment of that employer.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation, one person (‘A’) is related to another (‘B’) if A is the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of B.]

Textual Amendments

F446Words in reg. 55A heading inserted (16.1.2023) by The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382), regs. 1(3), 38(5) (with reg. 1(6)(7))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C72Reg. 55A applied (with modifications) (E.) (6.4.2014) by S.I. 2012/2031, regs. 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/333), regs. 1(6), 10(a), Sch. 2 (with reg. 1(7)))

[F447Additional requirements for application for an emergency proxy vote in respect of a particular parliamentary election or local government election in England: grounds relating to voter identificationE+W

55B.—(1) Subject to [F448paragraphs (2) and (2A)], this regulation applies to an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4 to which regulation 56(3D) applies.

(2) This regulation does not apply where—

(a)the application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4 includes an application under paragraph 6(8) of Schedule 4, and

(b)regulation 52(1B) applies to that application under paragraph 6(8).

[F449(2A) This regulation does not apply where regulation 56(3D) applies to an application by virtue only of the circumstances set out in paragraph (3F).]

(3) Where this regulation applies, the application under paragraph 4(2) must (in addition to providing any other information required by this Part)—

(a)state that it is made on grounds relating to voter identification, and

(b)state which of the conditions set out in regulation 56A apply to the applicant.

(4) In this regulation, “grounds relating to voter identification” is interpreted in accordance with regulation 56A(1).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C74Reg. 55B applied (with modifications) (E.) (16.1.2023) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (as amended by The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382), regs. 1(3), 49(3)(b) (with reg. 1(6)(7) (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 15(5)(c)(iv)))

C75Reg. 55B applied (with modifications) (E.) (16.1.2023) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (as amended by The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382), regs. 1(3), 53(3)(b) (with reg. 1(6)(7)) (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 16(5)(c)(iv)))

C76Reg. 55B applied (with modifications) (E.) (16.1.2023) by S.I. 2012/2031, regs. 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended by The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382), regs. 1(3), 65(3)(b) (with reg. 1(6)(7)) (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(iv)))

Closing date for applicationsE+W

56.—(1) An application under paragraph [F4503(1), (6) or (7), or 7(4)] of Schedule 4 shall be disregarded for the purposes of a particular parliamentary or local government election and an application under paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 4 shall be refused if it is received by the registration officer after 5 p.m. on the eleventh day before the date of the poll at that election.

[F451(1B) Paragraph (2) is subject to paragraph (2ZA).]

(2) [F452Subject to paragraph (3B),] F453... an application under paragraph [F4543(2) or 6(7)] of Schedule 4 shall be disregarded for the purposes of a particular parliamentary or local government election if it is received by the registration officer after 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the date of the poll at that election.

[F455(2ZA) An application under paragraph 6(7) of Schedule 4 which is made on grounds relating to voter identification must be disregarded for the purpose of a particular parliamentary or local government election in England if it is received by the registration officer after 5pm on the day of the poll at that election.]

[F456(2C) Paragraph (3) is subject to paragraph (3D).]

[F457(3) [F458Subject to paragraphs (3A) and (3B),] an application under paragraph 4(2) or 6(8) of Schedule 4 shall be refused if it is received by the registration officer after 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made.

[F459(3A) Where an application made under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4 is made—

(a)on the grounds of the applicant’s disability and the applicant became disabled after 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made; or

[F460(aa)on grounds relating to the applicant’s occupation, service or employment and the applicant became aware of those grounds after 5 p.m. on the sixth day before the date of poll at the election for which it is made; or]

(b)by a person to whom paragraph 2(5A) of that Schedule applies,

the application, or an application under paragraph 6(8) of that Schedule made by virtue of that application, shall be refused if it is received after 5 p.m. on the day of the poll at the election for which it is made.]]

[F461(3B) Where an application is made under [F462paragraphs 4(2), 6(7) or 6(8)] of Schedule 4 in relation to a [F463relevant Welsh local government election]—

(a)on the ground that the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to vote in person at a polling station as a result of complying with relevant legislation, Welsh Government advice or the advice of a registered medical practitioner in relation to coronavirus; or

(b)on the ground that any person appointed as a proxy to vote for an applicant under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 is unable to attend a polling station and vote for that applicant as a result of complying with relevant legislation, Welsh Government advice or the advice of a registered medical practitioner in relation to coronavirus,

the application F464... shall be refused if it is received after 5pm on the day of the poll at the election for which it is made.

[F465(3C) In paragraph (3B), “relevant Welsh local government election” means a local government election in Wales the poll for which takes place before 31 May 2023.]]

[F466(3D) Where an application is made under paragraph 4(2) or 6(8) of Schedule 4 in relation to a parliamentary election or a local government election in England on grounds relating to voter identification [F467or in the circumstances set out in paragraph (3F)], the application must be refused if it is received after 5pm on the day of the poll at the election for which it is made.

(3E) In paragraphs (2ZA) and (3D), “grounds relating to voter identification” is interpreted in accordance with regulation 56A(1).]

[F468(3F) The circumstances are that—

(a)the applicant submitted the application because an earlier application submitted by that applicant under paragraph 3(2) or 6(7) of Schedule 4 is to be disregarded for the purposes of the election referred to in paragraph (3D) because that earlier application—

(i)was submitted prior to the deadline of 5pm on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election referred to in paragraph (3D),

(ii)was submitted via the digital service, and

(iii)was not received by the registration officer until after the deadline of 5pm on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election referred to in paragraph (3D) due to a technical defect in the digital service, or

(b)the application referred to in paragraph (3D) meets the conditions specified in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of sub-paragraph (a).]

(4) An application under paragraph [F4694(1) or 7(7)] of Schedule 4 shall be refused if it is received by the registration officer after 5 p.m. on the eleventh day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made.

(5) An application under—

(a)paragraph 3(5)(a) of Schedule 4 by an elector to be removed from the record kept under paragraph 3(4) of that Schedule, or

(b)paragraph 7(9)(a) of Schedule 4 by a proxy to be removed from the record kept under paragraph 7(6) of that Schedule,

and a notice under paragraph 6(10) of that Schedule by an elector cancelling a proxy’s appointment shall be disregarded for the purposes of a particular parliamentary or local government election if it is received by the registration officer after [F4705 p.m. on the eleventh day before the date of the poll at that election].

[F471(5A) Any application or notice mentioned in this regulation shall be disregarded for the purposes of a particular parliamentary or local government election if, before the application or notice is considered by the registration officer, the elector or proxy has returned a postal ballot paper to the returning officer (except where it has been returned in accordance with regulation 77 or 78 (spoilt and lost postal ballot papers)).]

(6) In computing a period of days for the purposes of this regulation, Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, F472... Good Friday or a bank holiday shall be disregarded.

(7) In paragraph (6) above “bank holiday” means—

(a)in relation to a parliamentary general election, a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(22) in any part of the United Kingdom, and

(b)in relation to a parliamentary by-election or a local government election, a day which is a bank holiday under that Act in England and Wales;

except that where, at a parliamentary general election, any proceedings are commenced afresh by reason of a candidate’s death, sub-paragraph (b), not (a), shall apply.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C79Reg. 56 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended (6.4.2014) by S.I. 2014/333, regs. 1(6), 10(c) (with reg. 1(7)) and (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(v))

Commencement Information

I46Reg. 56 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F473Grounds relating to voter identificationE+W

56A.—(1) For the purposes of this Part, an application is made on grounds relating to voter identification if it is made because the following apply to B—

(a)condition 1, 2, 3 or 4 in this regulation, and

(b)except where B has an anonymous entry on the register, condition 5.

(2) In this regulation, “B” means—

(a)the applicant, where—

(i)the application is made under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4, and

(ii)regulation 52(1B) does not apply to the application made under paragraph 6(8) of Schedule 4 which is included in that application under paragraph 4(2);

(b)otherwise, the person already appointed as the applicant’s proxy at the time the application is made.

(3) Condition 1 is that—

(a)immediately before the deadline, B has a specified document which B intends to use to vote in person at a parliamentary election or at a local government election in England, and

(b)after that deadline, that document is—

(i)lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged so as to be no longer usable as a specified document for the purposes of that election, or

(ii)sent by B to another person to prove B’s identity, and B considers it is unlikely to be returned to B on or before the day of poll at that election.

(4) Condition 2 is that—

(a)at a time during the period of 3 months ending with the deadline, B has applied for a specified document,

(b)immediately before the deadline, B has not received that document, and

(c)the application for the specified document has not been refused or withdrawn.

(5) Condition 3 is that—

(a)B has an anonymous entry on the register, and

(b)either—

(i)B has not been issued with an anonymous elector’s document, or

(ii)B has been issued with an anonymous elector’s document, and after the deadline B is allocated an electoral number which is different from the one shown on that document other than as a result of an application under section 9B of the 1983 Act (anonymous registration).

(6) Condition 4 is that—

(a)B has a temporary electoral identity document which is valid for use on the day of poll at a parliamentary election or a local government election in England, and

(b)before B is able to vote in person at such an election using that document, proceedings at B’s polling station are adjourned in accordance with rule 42 of the elections rules (adjournment of poll in case of riot).

(7) Condition 5 is that B does not have access to another specified document.

(8) In this regulation—

(a)“anonymous elector’s document” and “temporary electoral identity document” have the meanings given in regulation 3(1) of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022;

(b)the “deadline” means the time stated in regulation 56(2) or (3) after which, ignoring any other paragraphs in that regulation, an application under paragraph 4(2) or 6(7) or (8) of Schedule 4 must be disregarded or refused (as the case may be) by a registration officer;

(c)“specified document” has the meaning given in rule 37(1H) and (1K) of the elections rules.]

Textual Amendments

[F474Verification of information provided in a relevant absent voting application E+W

56B.—(1) On receipt of a relevant absent voting application made otherwise than through the digital service, a registration officer must disclose the applicant’s name or names, address, date of birth and national insurance number (“the first stage information”) to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in such format and through such an infrastructure system as the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may have notified to the registration officer in writing.

(2) Following receipt of the first stage information from the registration officer or, in the case of an application made through or partially completed using the digital service, from an applicant, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may disclose the first stage information to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

(3) Where the first stage information has been disclosed to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under paragraph (2), the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may compare it against—

(a)the name, address, date of birth and national insurance number of individuals appearing in the following types of data kept by the Secretary of State—

(i)data kept for the purposes of functions relating to social security (including such information kept on behalf of the Department for Social Development), and

(ii)data relating to working tax credit, child tax credit and child benefit (being information kept on behalf of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs), and

(b)any other information contained in such types of data which relates to the information disclosed under paragraph (2).

(4) The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may disclose the results of the comparison of the first stage information (“the second stage information”) to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

(5) On receipt of the second stage information, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may disclose that information—

(a)to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, or

(b)to the registration officer to whom the application has been made or, in the case of an application made through the digital service, the registration officer appointed for the register to which the application relates.

(6) Paragraph (3) applies to the second stage information where it has been disclosed to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under paragraph (5)(a) as it applies to the first stage information disclosed under paragraph (2).

(7) The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions may disclose the results of the comparison of the second stage information (“the third stage information”) to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

(8) On receipt of the third stage information, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities may—

(a)compare the third stage information against the information provided in the relevant absent voting application, and

(b)notify the registration officer to whom the application has been made or, in the case of an application made through the digital service, the registration officer appointed for the register to which the application relates, as to whether the comparison in sub-paragraph (a) resulted in a match.

(9) The registration officer must take into account any information disclosed by, or notification received from, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in accordance with this regulation when determining the application.

(10) This regulation does not apply in relation to an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4—

(a)which is received by the registration officer after 5pm on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made, and

(b)where regulation 56(3A) or (3D) applies.

(11) In paragraph (1)—

(a)“infrastructure system” has the meaning given in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003;

(b)the reference to the applicant’s address is a reference to the address contained in the application in accordance with regulation 51(2)(b).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Power to request additional evidence in relation to relevant absent voting applications where registration officer considers it necessary E+W

56C.—(1) This regulation applies where, upon receipt of a relevant absent voting application, a registration officer considers additional evidence is necessary to verify the identity of the applicant.

(2) The registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of one of the following documents—

(a)the applicant’s passport;

(b)the applicant’s identity card issued in the European Economic Area;

(c)the applicant’s biometric immigration document issued in the United Kingdom in accordance with regulations made under section 5 of the Borders Act 2007;

(d)the applicant’s electoral identity card issued in Northern Ireland;

(e)the applicant’s photocard driving licence granted in the United Kingdom or driving licence granted by a Crown Dependency, which bears a photograph of the applicant.

(3) Where an applicant is not able to give one of the documents in paragraph (2), the registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of—

(a)one of the following documents, which, except in relation to paragraph (vii), must have been issued in the United Kingdom or Crown Dependencies—

(i)the applicant’s birth certificate;

(ii)the applicant’s marriage or civil partnership certificate;

(iii)the applicant’s adoption certificate;

(iv)the applicant’s firearms certificate granted under the Firearms Act 1968;

(v)the record of a decision on bail made in respect of the applicant in accordance with section 5(1) of the Bail Act 1976;

(vi)the applicant’s driving licence, which is not in the form of a photocard;

(vii)the applicant’s driving licence granted other than in the United Kingdom or Crown Dependencies, which bears a photograph of the applicant and which must be valid for at least 12 months from the date the applicant entered the United Kingdom, and

(b)two other documents, each of which may be either from sub-paragraph (a) or from paragraph (4).

(4) Where the applicant is not able to give documents in accordance with paragraph (3), the registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of four documents, each of which may be any of the following kinds of evidence and which must bear the applicant’s full name—

(a)a financial statement, including but not limited to—

(i)a mortgage statement;

(ii)a bank or building society statement or a letter from a bank or building society confirming that the applicant has opened an account with that bank or building society;

(iii)a credit card statement;

(iv)a pension statement;

(b)a council tax demand letter or statement;

(c)a utility bill;

(d)a Form P45 or Form P60 issued to the applicant by their employer or former employer;

(e)a statement of benefits or entitlement to benefits, such as a statement of child benefit, within the meaning of section 141 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, or a letter confirming that the applicant is entitled to housing benefit, within the meaning of section 130 of that Act.

(5) Where the applicant is registered, or has applied to be registered, in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration—

(a)paragraph (3) applies as if, in sub-paragraph (a)(vii), the words from “and which must” to “Kingdom” were omitted;

(b)paragraph (4) applies as if after “kinds of evidence” there were inserted “, must have been issued in the United Kingdom or Crown Dependencies”.

[F475(5A) If an applicant who is, or has applied to be, registered other than in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration is unable to give the documentary evidence required under paragraphs (2) to (4), the registration officer may require that the applicant give an attestation which must—

(a)confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application,

(b)state that the person signing the attestation is aware of the penalty for providing false information to a registration officer,

(c)be in writing and signed by a person—

(i)whom the registration officer is satisfied is of good standing in the community,

(ii)who is registered as an elector in a local authority area in England or Wales,

(iii)who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant, and

(iv)who has not already signed a relevant identity attestation for ’wo other applicants since, whichever is the later,—

(aa)the date on which the revised register in which that person’s name appears was last published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, or

(bb)the date on which a notice specifying that person’s entry in the register was issued under (as the case may be) section 13A(2), 13AB(2), 13B or 13BC of that Act (and if there has been more than one such notice, the date on which the last one was issued);

(d)state the full name, date of birth, address, electoral number and occupation of the person signing the attestation, and

(e)state the date on which it is made.]

(6) If an applicant [F476who is registered, or has applied to be registered, in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration] is unable to give the documentary evidence required under paragraphs (2) to (4), the registration officer may require that the applicant give an attestation which must—

(a)confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application,

(b)be in writing and signed by a qualifying attestor,

(c)state the qualifying attestor’s full name, date of birth, occupation, residential address and (if different) the address in respect of which the qualifying attestor is registered as an elector,

(d)state—

(i)where the qualifying attestor is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, the attestor’s British [F477or Irish] passport number together with its date and place of issue;

(ii)otherwise—

(aa)where the qualifying attestor is registered in respect of an address in Northern Ireland and has been allocated a digital registration number in accordance with section 10B of the 1983 Act (register of electors in Northern Ireland: digital registration number), that digital registration number;

(bb)in all other cases, the qualifying attestor’s electoral number,

(e)include an explanation as to the qualifying attestor’s ability to confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application, including (but not limited to) the qualifying attestor’s connection to the applicant and the length of time that that connection has existed,

(f)include—

(i)an indication that the qualifying attestor is aware of section 13D(1) of the 1983 Act (offence of provision of false information to a registration officer), and

(ii)a declaration by the qualifying attestor that all information provided in the attestation is true, and

(g)state the date on which it is made.

(7) In paragraph (6), a “qualifying attestor” is a person—

(a)where the applicant is or is to be registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, who is aged 18 or over,

(b)who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant,

(c)who is registered as an elector and, except where the applicant is or is to be registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, who is registered as an elector in a local authority area in England or Wales,

(d)except where the person is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, whom the registration officer is satisfied is of good standing in the community, and

(e)who has not already signed a relevant identity attestation for two other applicants since, whichever is the later,—

(i)the date on which the revised register in which the qualifying attestor’s name appears was last published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act;

(ii)the date on which a notice specifying the qualifying attestor’s entry in the register was issued under (as the case may be) section 13A(2), 13AB(2), 13B or 13BC of that Act (and if there has been more than one such notice, the date on which the last one was issued).

(8) In [F478paragraphs (5A)(c)(iv) and (7)(e)], a “relevant identity attestation” is an attestation provided in accordance with—

(a)paragraph [F479(5A) or] (6);

(b)regulation 26B(6) [F480or (6ZA)];

(c)regulation 26B(6) [F481or (6ZA)] or [F48256C(5A) or (6)] of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001;

[F483(ca)regulation 25A(3) of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008;]

(d)paragraph 16C(5) of Schedule 2 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012;

(e)regulation [F48472B(5A) or (6)] of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016;

(f)regulation 7(6) of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022.

(9) Paragraphs (2) to (6) do not apply where the applicant is registered, or has applied to be registered, in a register of parliamentary electors or a register of local government electors in England in pursuance of the following declarations—

(a)a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant is a Crown servant or the spouse or civil partner of a Crown servant;

(b)a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant is a member of the forces;

(c)a service declaration on the grounds that the applicant is the spouse or civil partner of a member of the forces.

(10) In the case of an application to which paragraph (9)(a) or (c) applies, the registration officer may require that the applicant give them a copy, or where the registration officer considers it appropriate, the original, of one of the following documents, which has been certified by a Crown servant or British Council employee or an officer of the forces, who is not the applicant’s spouse or civil partner—

(a)the applicant’s passport;

(b)the applicant’s identity card issued in the European Economic Area.

(11) In the case of an application to which paragraph (9)(b) applies, the registration officer may require that the applicant give an attestation which must—

(a)confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application,

(b)be in writing and signed by an officer of the forces who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant,

(c)state the full name, address and rank of the person signing the attestation and the service (whether naval, military or air forces) in which they serve, and

(d)state the date on which it is made.

(12) In this regulation—

“Crown Dependency” means the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Bailiwick of Guernsey or the Isle of Man;

“member of the forces” has the same meaning as in section 59(1) of the 1983 Act;

“officer of the forces” means a member of the forces who is an officer.

(13) This regulation does not apply in relation to an application under paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4—

(a)which is received by the registration officer after 5pm on the sixth day before the date of the poll at the election for which it is made, and

(b)where regulation 56(3A) or (3D) applies.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Processing of information provided in connection with a relevant absent voting application E+W

56D.—(1) If a person provides an original document under regulation 56C, the registration officer must make a copy of that document and return the original document to the person who provided it.

(2) In respect of any relevant absent voting application, the registration officer must retain until the application has been determined—

(a)the application form or, in the case of an application made through the digital service, the information contained in the application transmitted to the registration officer by the Secretary of State;

(b)any other information or documents provided to the registration officer in connection with the application or, in the case of original documents which are returned under paragraph (1), a copy of such documents.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the registration officer may retain the application form, information and documents in paragraph (2) after the application has been determined but, if they do so, must delete the applicant’s national insurance number from the application form, information and documents in paragraph (2) by no later than the date which is 13 months from the date on which the registration officer determined the relevant absent voting application.

(4) The requirement to delete the national insurance number in paragraph (3) does not apply where the application, information and documents in paragraph (2) are required for the purpose of any civil or criminal proceedings.

(5) Information disclosed under regulation 56B must not be disclosed to any other person, except—

(a)for the purpose of determining the relevant absent voting application in connection with which the information was disclosed, or

(b)for the purpose of any civil or criminal proceedings.

(6) A person who discloses information in breach of paragraph (5) is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine (or both);

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court, or to a fine (or both).

(7) Any information disclosed under regulation 56B must be processed in accordance with any requirements as to the processing of information that may have been imposed by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in writing in advance of that processing, including requirements as to the transfer, storage, destruction and security of that information.

(8) In this regulation, “copy” includes an electronic copy.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Grant or refusal of applicationsE+W

57.—(1) Where the registration officer grants an application to vote by post, he shall F485... notify the applicant of his decision.

[F486(1A) Where a registration officer grants an application to vote by post at a parliamentary election or a local government election in England, the notification under paragraph (1) must include—

(a)where the postal vote entitlement is for a particular election, the date of the poll for which the elector’s entitlement to vote by post has been granted;

(b)otherwise, the date on which the elector’s entitlement to vote by post ends.]

(2) Where the registration officer grants an application for the appointment of a proxy, he shall confirm in writing to the elector that the proxy has been appointed, his name and address, and the duration of the appointment.

[F487(2A) Paragraph (2B) applies where—

(a)a registration officer grants an application to vote by proxy made under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 4 by an elector who is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, and

(b)the resulting period for which that elector is entitled to vote by proxy ends after the 1st November on which the elector’s registration will end in accordance with section 1D(1)(a) or (3)(a) of the 1985 Act.

(2B) Where this paragraph applies, the confirmation under paragraph (2) must include an explanation that a fresh signature will be required from the elector prior to the 1st November described in paragraph (2A)(b), in order for the elector’s entitlement to continue after that date.]

(3) The form of proxy paper F488... in Form E is hereby prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 6(9) of Schedule 4 [F489in respect of the appointment of a proxy for the purpose of voting at a local government election or local government elections in Wales].

[F490(3A) The form of proxy paper in Form E1 is prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 6(9) of Schedule 4 in respect of the appointment of a proxy for the purpose of voting—

(a)at a parliamentary election, or at parliamentary elections;

(b)at a local government election, or at local government elections, in England.]

(4) Where the registration officer refuses an application under Schedule 4, he shall notify the applicant of his decision and of the reason for it.

[F491(4A) Where the registration officer grants an application made under—

(a)paragraph 4(3)(a) of Schedule 4 by a person shown as voting by post in the record kept under paragraph 3(4) of that Schedule; or

(b)paragraph 7(7) of that Schedule by a person shown as voting by post in the record kept under paragraph 7(6) of that Schedule,

he shall notify the applicant of this.

(4B) Where a person is removed from the record kept pursuant to paragraph 3(4) [F492or 7(6)] of Schedule 4, the registration officer shall [F493where practicable] notify him of this and the reason for it.

(4C) Where the appointment of a proxy is cancelled by the elector or otherwise ceases to be in force, the registration officer shall [F494where practicable] notify the elector that the appointment has been cancelled or, as the case may be, notify him that the appointment has ceased and the reason for it.]

(5) Where, under regulation 56 above, a registration officer disregards an application for the purposes of any particular parliamentary or local government election, he shall F495... notify the applicant of this.

(6) At a parliamentary election where the registration officer is not the acting returning officer for any constituency or part of a constituency in the area for which he is the registration officer, he shall send to that officer details of any application to vote by post which he has granted as soon as practicable after doing so.

[F496(7) Paragraphs (8) to (10) apply where—

(a)an application under Schedule 4 relates to voting at a parliamentary election or at a local government election in England, and

(b)either—

(i)paragraph (2) of regulation 51AA applies to that application, or would have applied if paragraph (3) of that regulation were ignored, or

(ii)paragraph (1) of regulation 51B applies to that application, or would have applied if paragraph (2) of that regulation were ignored.

(8) A notification under paragraph (1) or (4A) to one of the following types of applicants must also include a statement that ballot papers will be sent to the postal ballot delivery address—

(a)an applicant registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration;

(b)an applicant registered in pursuance of a service declaration;

(c)an applicant registered in pursuance of a declaration of local connection (within the meaning of section 7B of the 1983 Act);

(d)an applicant who is a merchant seaman (within the meaning of section 6 of the 1983 Act);

(e)an applicant who has an anonymous entry.

(9) Where sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of paragraph (8) do not apply to the applicant, the registration officer must, in addition to notifying the applicant in accordance with paragraphs (1), (4), (4A) or (5), notify the applicant in writing that—

(a)the application has been granted, refused or disregarded, and

(b)where the application has been granted, ballot papers will be sent to the postal ballot delivery address.

(10) A notification under paragraph (9) must be delivered to—

(a)where paragraph (7)(b)(ii) applies and the notification is to be delivered to a person shown as voting by post in the record kept under paragraph 7(6) of Schedule 4, the address shown in that record;

(b)otherwise—

(i)the address stated in the application in accordance with regulation 51(2)(b), or

(ii)the proxy’s address stated in the application in accordance with regulation 51(2)(c).

(11) In paragraphs (8) and (9), the “postal ballot delivery address” means—

(a)where paragraph (7)(b)(i) applies, the address stated in the application in accordance with regulation 51(2)(d);

(b)where paragraph (7)(b)(ii) applies, the different address described in regulation 51B(1).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C86Reg. 57 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(vii))

Commencement Information

I47Reg. 57 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Notice of appealE+W

58.—(1) A person desiring to appeal under section 56(1)(b) of the 1983 Act(23) against the decision of a registration officer must give notice of the appeal to the registration officer within 14 days of the receipt of the notice given under regulation 57(4) above specifying the grounds of appeal.

(2) The registration officer shall forward any such notice to the appropriate county court in the manner directed by rules of court together in each case with a statement of the material facts which in his opinion have been established in the case, of his decision upon the whole case and on any point which may be specified as a ground of appeal.

(3) Where it appears to the registration officer that any notices of appeal given to him are based on similar grounds, he shall inform the county court of this to enable the court (if it thinks fit) to consolidate the appeals or select a case as a test case.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C90Reg. 58 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I48Reg. 58 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Cancellation of proxy appointmentE+W

59.  Where the appointment of a proxy is cancelled by notice given to the registration officer under paragraph 6(10) of Schedule 4 or ceases to be in force under that provision or is no longer in force under paragraph 6(11)(b) of that Schedule, the registration officer shall—

(a)notify the person whose appointment as proxy has been cancelled, expired, ceases to be or is no longer in force, unless the registration officer has previously been notified by that person that he no longer wishes to act as proxy, and

(b)remove his name from the record kept under paragraph 3(4)(c) of Schedule 4.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C93Reg. 59 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I49Reg. 59 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Inquiries by registration officerE+W

60.—(1) The registration officer may, at such times as he thinks fit, make inquiries of a person—

(a)who is shown as voting by proxy in the record kept under paragraph 3(4) of Schedule 4 in pursuance of an application granted on the grounds set out in paragraph 3(3)(b) and (c) of that Schedule; or

(b)who immediately before the date of the commencement of Schedule 4 was entitled to vote by proxy for an indefinite period at parliamentary elections, local government elections or both in pursuance of an application granted on grounds corresponding to those set out in paragraph 3(3)(b) and (c) of Schedule 4 (physical incapacity, blindness, occupation, service or employment),

for the purpose of determining whether there has been a material change of circumstances.

(2) Where the grant of an application for a proxy vote for an indefinite or [F497particular] period was based on the grounds referred to in paragraph 3(3)(c) of Schedule 4 (or grounds corresponding to those grounds), the registration officer shall make the inquiries referred to not later than three years after the granting of the application or the last such inquiries, as the case may be.

(3) The registration officer may treat the failure by a person of whom inquiries have been made to respond to such inquiries within one month of the date on which they were made as sufficient evidence of a material change in circumstances.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I50Reg. 60 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F498Requirement to notify certain electors and proxies that postal vote entitlement is to end E+W

60ZA.—(1) This regulation applies in respect of an elector or proxy who remains entitled to vote by post at a parliamentary election or at a local government election in England by virtue of an entitlement which was granted for the maximum period (“the relevant person”).

(2) The registration officer must, before the end of the maximum period, send to the relevant person—

(a)a notice informing the relevant person of the date on which the relevant person’s entitlement to vote by post is to end, and

(b)information about how to make a fresh application to vote by post (as elector or, as the case may be, as proxy).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F499Requirement to provide fresh signatures at F500... intervalsE+W

60A.—[F501(A1) This regulation does not apply to an elector or proxy so far as that elector or proxy remains entitled to vote by post at a parliamentary election or at a local government election in England.]

(1) [F502Subject to paragraphs (1A) and (1C), the] registration officer shall every year by 31 January send every person who remains an absent voter and whose signature held on the personal identifiers record is more than five years old a notice in writing—

(a)requiring him to provide a fresh signature, and

(b)informing him of the date (six weeks from the date of sending the notice) on which he would cease to be entitled to vote by post or by proxy in the event of a failure or refusal to provide a fresh signature.

[F503(1A) Paragraph (1B) applies instead of paragraph (1) in respect of a person who—

(a)is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, and

(b)remains entitled to vote by proxy.

(1B) Subject to paragraph (1C), the registration officer must, during the signature refresh period, send every person to whom this paragraph applies a notice in writing—

(a)requiring the person to provide a fresh signature, and

(b)informing the person that, in the event of a failure or refusal to provide a fresh signature before the end of the signature refresh period, the person would cease to be entitled to vote by proxy at the end of that period.

(1C) Paragraphs (1) and (1B) do not apply in respect of a person to whom paragraph (1A) applies whose current signature on the personal identifiers record was added to that record during the signature refresh period.

(1D) In paragraphs (1B) and (1C), the “signature refresh period” means the period—

(a)beginning with the 1st July immediately before the date in sub-paragraph (b), and

(b)ending with the 1st November on which the person’s registration will end in accordance with section 1D(1)(a) or (3)(a) of the 1985 Act.]

(2) [F504A notice under paragraph (1) or (1B) (“the notice”)] must be sent by the registration officer to the current or last known address of the absent voter.

(3) The registration officer must, if the absent voter has not responded to the notice within three weeks from the date on which the notice was sent, as soon as practicable send a copy of the notice to him.

(4) Where a notice or copy of a notice is sent by post, the registration officer may use—

(a)a universal postal service provider; or

(b)a commercial delivery firm,

and postage shall be prepaid.

(5) A notice or copy of a notice sent to an absent voter F505... must be accompanied by a pre-addressed reply envelope and, in the case of any notice or copy of a notice sent to an address in the United Kingdom, return postage must be prepaid.

(6) Upon the expiration of the period specified in the notice sent to the absent voter the registration officer shall determine whether the absent voter has failed or refused to provide a fresh signature.

(7) Where the registration officer determines that the absent voter has refused or failed to provide a fresh signature within the specified period, he must remove that person’s entry from the records kept pursuant to paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4 and from the postal voters list, list of proxies or proxy postal voters list (as the case may be) kept under paragraph 5(2), 5(3) or 7(8) of that Schedule.

(8) Where a registration officer removes an absent voter’s entry in the circumstances to which paragraph (7) refers—

(a)the registration officer shall inform the absent voter, where appropriate, of the location of the polling station allotted or likely to be allotted to him under the appropriate rules (as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 4);

(b)regulation 57(4) and regulation 58 shall apply as if the registration officer were refusing an application under Schedule 4; and

(c)in the case of an entry removed from the proxy postal voters list, the registration officer must also notify the elector who appointed the proxy whose entry has been removed.

(9) The registration officer shall include in the notice to be sent to an absent voter regarding their removal from the records kept pursuant to paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4 and from the postal voters list, list of proxies or proxy postal voters list (as the case may be) kept under paragraph 5(2), 5(3) or 7(8) of that Schedule, information—

(a)explaining the effect of such removal; and

(b)reminding the absent voter that he may make a fresh application under Schedule 4 to vote by post or by proxy (as the case may be).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F506Requirement to provide fresh signatures following rejection of a postal voting statementE+W

60B.—(1) Where an absent voter is notified under regulation 61C that the signature does not match the example held on the personal identifiers record, and the absent voter continues to be shown on the relevant record as voting by post, the registration officer may require the absent voter to provide a fresh signature for the personal identifiers record.

(2) In doing so the registration officer must—

(a)issue a notice in writing to the absent voter, requiring the provision of a fresh signature, and

(b)inform the absent voter of the date (six weeks from the sending of the notice) on which the absent voter would cease to be entitled to vote by post in the event of a failure or refusal to provide a fresh signature.

(3) The registration officer must, if the absent voter has not responded to the notice within three weeks from the date on which the notice was sent, as soon as practicable send a copy of the notice to the absent voter.

(4) The notice and any copy must be sent by the registration officer to the current or last known address of the absent voter.

(5) Where a notice or copy of a notice is sent by post, the registration officer may use—

(a)a universal postal service provider; or

(b)a commercial delivery firm,

and postage shall be prepaid.

(6) A notice or copy of a notice sent to an absent voter in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3) must be accompanied by a pre-addressed reply envelope and, in the case of any notice or copy of a notice sent to an address in the United Kingdom, return postage must be prepaid.

(7) Following the date specified in the notice sent to the absent voter, the registration officer must determine whether the absent voter has failed or refused to provide a fresh signature.

(8) Where the registration officer determines that the absent voter has refused or failed to provide a fresh signature, the registration officer must remove that person’s entry from the records kept pursuant to paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4 and from the postal voters list or proxy postal voters list (as the case may be) kept under paragraph 5(2) or 7(8) of that Schedule.

(9) Where a registration officer removes an absent voter’s entry in the circumstances to which paragraph (8) refers—

(a)the registration officer shall inform the absent voter, where appropriate, of the location of the polling station allotted or likely to be allotted to the voter under the appropriate rules (as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 4);

(b)regulation 57(4) and regulation 58 shall apply as if the registration officer were refusing an application under Schedule 4; and

(c)in the case of an entry removed from the proxy postal voters list, the registration officer must also notify the elector who appointed the proxy whose entry has been removed.

(10) The registration officer shall include in the notice to be sent to an absent voter regarding their removal from the records kept pursuant to paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4 and from the postal voters list or proxy postal voters list (as the case may be) kept under paragraph 5(2) or 7(8) of that Schedule, information—

(a)explaining the effect of such removal; and

(b)reminding the absent voter that they may make a fresh application under Schedule 4 to vote by post or by proxy (as the case may be).

(11) Where an absent voter has provided a registration officer with a fresh signature in response to a notice issued by the registration officer under this paragraph, or in response to a notice issued by the registration officer under any other enactment following the rejection of the absent voter’s postal voting statement at an election or referendum, the registration officer may use that signature and enter it in the records kept in accordance with regulation 61B and paragraphs [F5073(9)], 4(6) and 7(12) of Schedule 4.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F508Records and lists kept under Schedule 4E+W

61.—(1) Any person entitled to be supplied in accordance with regulation 103, 105, 106 or 108 below with copies of the full register is also a person entitled, subject to this regulation and to regulation 61A, to request that the registration officer supply free of charge the relevant part (within the meaning of those regulations) of a copy of any of the following information which he keeps—

(a)the current version of the information which would, in the event of a particular parliamentary or local government election, be included in the postal voters lists, the list of proxies or the proxy postal voters lists, which he is required to keep under paragraph 5 or 7(8) of Schedule 4;

(b)the current or final version of the postal voters list, the list of proxies or the proxy postal voters lists kept under paragraph 5 or 7(8) of Schedule 4.

(2) A request under paragraph (1) shall be made in writing and shall specify—

(a)the information (or the relevant parts of the information) requested;

(b)whether the request is made only in respect of the current lists or whether it includes a request for the supply of any final list; and

(c)whether a printed copy of the records or lists is requested or a copy in data form.

(3) A person who obtains any information under this regulation may use it only for the permitted purposes specified in regulation 61A, and any restrictions—

(a)specified in that regulation, or

(b)which would apply to the use of the full register under whichever of regulation 103, 105, 106 or 108 entitled that person to obtain that information,

shall apply to such use.

(4) The registration officer shall supply a current copy of the information requested under paragraph (1), as soon as practicable after receipt of a request that is duly made.

(5) The registration officer shall supply a final copy of the postal voters list kept under paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 4, as soon as practicable after 5pm on the eleventh day before the day of the poll, in response to a request under paragraph (1) that has been duly made.

(6) As soon as practicable after 5pm on the sixth day before the day of the poll the registration officer shall—

(a)make a copy of the lists kept under paragraphs 5 and 7(8) of Schedule 4 available for inspection at his office in accordance with paragraphs (10) to (15); and

(b)at a parliamentary election, if he is not the acting returning officer for any constituency or part of a constituency in the area for which he is the registration officer, send to that officer a copy of those lists;

(c)supply a final copy of the postal voters lists or the list of proxies in response to every request under paragraph (1) that has been duly made.

[F509(6A) At a parliamentary election, the registration officer must, on a request made at any time, supply the acting returning officer for any constituency or part of a constituency for which he is the registration officer with so much of the lists kept under paragraphs 5 and 7(8) of Schedule 4 as relate to that constituency or part of a constituency.]

(7) The registration officer shall supply a final copy of the proxy voters list kept under paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 4, updated to include any additions to that list made in consequence of any applications granted in accordance with regulation 56(3A) [F510or (3D)], as soon as practicable after 5pm on the day of the poll, to every person who received that list in accordance with paragraph (6)(c).

(8) Any person who has obtained or is entitled to obtain a copy of information covered by paragraph (1) may—

(a)supply a copy of the information to a processor for the purpose of processing the information, or

(b)procure that a processor processes and supplies to them any copy of the information which the processor has obtained under this regulation,

for use in respect of the purposes for which that person is entitled to obtain such information.

(9) Paragraphs (2) and (3) and the condition in paragraph (9) of regulation 92 shall be taken to apply to the supply and processing of information supplied under this regulation as they apply to the supply and processing of the full register under Part 6 of these Regulations.

(10) Any person is entitled to request that the registration officer make available for inspection a copy of any of the information specified in paragraph (1).

(11) A request under paragraph (10) shall be made in writing and shall specify—

(a)the information (or relevant parts of the information) requested;

(b)whether the request is made only in respect of the current lists or whether it includes a request for the inspection of any final list;

(c)who will inspect the information;

(d)the date on which they wish to inspect the information; and

(e)whether they would prefer to inspect the information in a printed or data form.

(12) The registration officer shall make a copy of the information available for inspection under supervision as soon as practicable after the date of receipt of a request that has been duly made.

(13) Where inspection takes place by providing a copy of the information on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, the registration officer shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on, which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to—

(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or

(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic, or any other means.

(14) A person who inspects a copy of the information, whether a printed copy or in data form, may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars in it,

otherwise than by means of hand-written notes.

(15) Subject to any direction by the Secretary of State under section 52(1) of the 1983 Act, any duty on a registration officer to supply a copy or make information available for inspection under this regulation, imposes only a duty to provide that information in the form in which he holds it.

(16) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a)a “current copy” of records or lists is a copy of the records or lists as kept by the registration officer at 9 a.m. on the date it is supplied; and

(b)any period of days shall be calculated in accordance with regulation 56(6) and (7).

(17) The registration officer shall ensure that where he supplies or discloses information covered by paragraph (1)(a) in accordance with this regulation, he does not supply or disclose any record relating to a person specified in paragraph (18).

(18) The persons specified in this paragraph are—

(a)a person who has an anonymous entry;

(b)the proxy of a person who has an anonymous entry.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I51Reg. 61 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F511Conditions on the use, supply and inspection of absent voter records or listsE+W

61A.  The restrictions on the supply, disclosure and use of the full register in regulations 94 and 96 shall apply to information covered by regulations 61(1)(a) and (b), as they apply to the full register, except that the permitted purpose shall mean either—

(a)[F512Article 89 GDPR purposes;] or

(b)electoral purposes.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F513The personal identifiers recordE+W

61B.—(1) The registration officer shall maintain a record (“the personal identifiers record”), apart from the other records and lists which he is required to keep under Schedule 4, of the signatures and dates of birth provided by persons whose applications under paragraph 3(1) or (2), paragraph 4(1) or (2) or paragraph 7(4)(a) or (b) of Schedule 4 were granted, until the expiry of twelve months from—

(a)the date on which a person is removed from the record kept pursuant to paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4; or

(b)the date of the poll for the purposes of which the person’s application for an absent vote was granted under paragraph 4(1) or (2) or 7(4)(b) of Schedule 4.

(2) The personal identifiers record shall contain the following information in respect of each absent voter on the postal voters list, list of proxies or proxy postal voters list—

(a)his name;

(b)his date of birth; and

(c)his signature, or a record of the waiver by the registration officer of the requirement for a signature;

(3) The registration officer may disclose information held in the personal identifiers records to—

(a)any candidate or agent attending proceedings on receipt of postal ballot papers, in accordance with and for the purposes referred to [F514in regulation 85A];

(b)any person attending proceedings on receipt of postal ballot papers, who is entitled to do so by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, but only to the extent required to permit them to observe the proceedings.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C103Reg. 61B applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

[F515Notification of a rejected postal voting statement [F516or document] E+W

61C.—(1) Where an absent voter (whether an elector or a proxy), appears on the list created under regulation 87(4) [F517, or on the list created under regulation 87(6) with an indication in accordance with regulation 87(6)(d) that a postal ballot paper was included in rejected postal voting documents,] then—

(a)the registration officer responsible for the personal identifiers record that contains information in respect of the absent voter must notify them (and the elector if the absent voter is a proxy) that the ballot paper concerned was rejected because—

[F518(i)]the returning officer was not satisfied that the postal voting statement was duly completed;

[F519(ii)the postal ballot paper was handed in at a polling station or for the returning officer, and the relevant officer—

(aa)was not satisfied that the return of postal voting documents form had been completed properly and provided the required information,

(bb)suspected that the person handing it in had handed in postal ballot papers on behalf of more than the permitted number of electors, or

(cc)suspected that the person handing it in was a political campaigner who was committing an offence under section 112A of the 1983 Act;

(iii)the postal ballot paper was a left behind postal voting document;]

(b)the registration officer must send the notification within the period of three months beginning with the date of the poll at which the ballot paper was rejected; and

(c)the notification must include information as to which of the specified reasons referred to—

[F520(i)]in regulation 87(5) applied to the absent voter’s postal voting statement;

[F521(ii)in regulation 87(7) applied to the absent voter’s postal ballot paper.]

(2) The registration officer is not obliged to send a notification—

(a)to any person who is no longer shown as voting by post in the relevant record at the time the registration officer proposes to send out the notification, or

(b)where the returning officer suspects that an offence may have been committed in relation to the postal ballot paper, postal voting statement or the absent voter’s registration as an elector [F522except where that offence is committed by a political campaigner under section 112A of the 1983 Act].

(3) A notification issued under paragraph (1) may also include any other information that the registration officer considers appropriate, but a notification must not include information held on the personal identifiers record.]

Textual Amendments

F516Words in reg. 61C heading inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(3)(a)

F518Words in reg. 61C(1)(a) renumbered as reg. 61C(1)(a)(i) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(3)(b)(ii)(aa)

F520Words in reg. 61C(1)(c) renumbered as reg. 61C(1)(c)(i) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(3)(b)(iii)(aa)

F522Words in reg. 61C(2)(b) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(3)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C105Reg. 61C applied (with modifications) (E.) (6.4.2014) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended by S.I. 2014/333, regs. 1(6), 10(a), Sch. 2 (with reg. 1(7)) and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(ii))

C109Reg. 61C applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(ii))

C110Reg. 61C applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(ii))

Marked register for polling stationsE+W

62.  To indicate that an elector or his proxy is entitled to vote by post and is for that reason not entitled to vote in person, the letter “A” shall be placed against the [F523entry] of that elector in any copy of the register, or part of it, provided for a polling station.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C113Reg. 62 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I52Reg. 62 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Certificate of employment at a parliamentary electionE+W

63.—(1) The form of certificate in Form F is hereby prescribed for the purposes of rule 32(3) of the elections rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act.

(2) The prescribed officer of police for those purposes is one of or above the rank of inspector.

Commencement Information

I53Reg. 63 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F524Corresponding number listsE+W

63A.—(1) The form of the corresponding number list to be prepared by a returning officer under rule 19A of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act shall be in Form L1.

(2) The form of the corresponding number list to be prepared by a returning officer for the purposes of [F525rules 29(3)(e) and 37(1)(b)] and 37(1)(d) of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act shall be in Form L2.

(3) The form of the corresponding number list to be prepared by a returning officer under rule 19A of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act, when a parliamentary election is combined with another poll under section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 or [F526section 44 or 45] of the Local Government Act 2000 shall be in Form M1.

(4) The form of the corresponding number list to be prepared by a returning officer for the purposes of [F527rules 29(3)(e) and 37(1)(b)], and 37(1)(d) of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act, when a parliamentary election is combined with another poll under section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 or [F528section 44 or 45] of the Local Government Act 2000 shall be in Form M2.]

Textual Amendments

PART VE+WISSUE AND RECEIPT OF POSTAL BALLOT PAPERS

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Interpretation of Part VE+W

64.  For the purposes of this Part of these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

F529...

“agent” includes the election agent and a person appointed to attend in the election agent’s place;

“ballot paper envelope” and “covering envelope” mean the envelopes referred to in regulation 74 below;

F530...

“postal ballot paper” means a ballot paper issued to a postal voter;

“postal voter” means an elector or proxy who is entitled to vote by post;

“postal voters' ballot box” means the ballot box referred to in regulation 81(1)(a);

“receptacle for ballot paper envelopes”, and other references to specified receptacles, means the receptacles referred to in regulation 81(5) below;

“spoilt postal ballot paper” means a ballot paper referred to in regulation 77(1) below;

“universal postal service provider” has the meaning given in [F531Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011] to a “universal service provider”; and

[F532“valid postal voting statement” means a postal voting statement which, in accordance with regulation 85 or 85A, the returning officer is satisfied has been duly completed.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C120Reg. 64 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I54Reg. 64 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Issue of Postal Ballot PapersE+W

Combination of pollsE+W

65.—[F533(1)] Where the polls at elections are taken together under—

(a)subsection (1) or (2) of section 15 of the 1985 Act (combination of polls at parliamentary F534... and local government elections), or

(b)subsection (3) or (3AB) of section 36 of the 1983 Act (combination of polls at local elections)(24),

the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of each election may, [F535subject to paragraph (2) and] if the returning officers concerned agree, be taken together.

[F536(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where the polls of a UK parliamentary election and a local government election in Wales are taken together.]

Textual Amendments

F533Reg. 65 renumbered as reg. 65(1) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(a)

F535Words in reg. 65(1) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(4)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C125Reg. 65 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

C126Reg. 65 applied (with modifications) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 2 Table 4 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 5(3)(a))

Commencement Information

I55Reg. 65 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Form of [F537postal voting statement] E+W

66.  The form of the [F537postal voting statement] for the purposes of rule 24 of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act(25) shall be—

(a)in Form G at a parliamentary election taken alone;

(b)in Form H at a parliamentary election where the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are taken together with those proceedings at another election;

(c)in Form J at a parliamentary election where the poll is taken together with the poll at another election, but where the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are not.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C129Reg. 66 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I56Reg. 66 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue of postal ballot papersE+W

67.  [F538Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, or 6E of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000,] no person may be present at the proceedings on the issue of postal ballot papers other than the returning officer and his clerks.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I57Reg. 67 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on receipt of postal ballot papersE+W

68.  [F539Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, or 6E of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000,] no person may be present at the proceedings on the receipt of postal ballot papers other than—

(a)the returning officer and his clerks,

(b)a candidate,

(c)an election agent or any person appointed by a candidate to attend in his election agent’s place or, at an election of parish or community councillors, any person appointed by the candidate to attend at those proceedings, and

(d)any agents appointed under regulation 69 below.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C136Reg. 68 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I58Reg. 68 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Agents of candidates who may attend proceedings on receipt of postal ballot papersE+W

69.—(1) Each candidate may appoint one or more agents to attend the proceedings on the receipt of the postal ballot papers up to the number he may be authorised by the returning officer to appoint so, however, that the number authorised shall be the same in the case of each candidate.

(2) Notice in writing of the appointment stating the names and addresses of the persons appointed shall be given by the candidate to the returning officer before the time fixed for the opening of the postal voters' ballot box.

(3) Where postal ballot papers for more than one election are issued together under regulation 65 above, the returning officer to whom notice shall be given under paragraph (2) above and paragraphs (4) and (5) below is the returning officer who issues the postal ballot papers.

(4) If an agent dies or becomes incapable of acting, the candidate may appoint another agent in his place and shall forthwith give to the returning officer notice in writing of the name and address of the agent appointed.

(5) Agents may be appointed and notice of appointment given to the returning officer by the candidate’s election agent instead of by the candidate.

(6) In this Part of these Regulations references to agents shall be taken as references to agents whose appointments have been duly made and notified and, in the case of agents appointed under paragraph (1) above, who are within the number authorised by the returning officer.

(7) A candidate may himself do any act or thing which any agent of his, if appointed, would have been authorised to do, or may assist his agent in doing any such act or thing.

(8) Where in this Part of these Regulations any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the candidates or their agents, the non-attendance of any such persons or person at the time and place appointed for the purpose shall not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C140Reg. 69 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I59Reg. 69 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Notification of requirement of secrecyE+W

70.  The returning officer shall make such arrangements as he thinks fit to ensure that every person attending the proceedings in connection with the issue of receipt or postal ballot papers has been given a copy in writing of the provisions of subsections (4) and (6) of section 66 of the 1983 Act(26).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C144Reg. 70 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I60Reg. 70 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F540Time when postal ballot papers are to be issuedE+W

71.  Postal ballot papers (and postal voting statements) must be issued by the returning officer as soon as it is practicable to do so.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Procedure on issue of postal ballot paperE+W

72.—F541(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) The number of the elector as stated in the register shall be marked on the [F542corresponding number list, next to the number and unique identifying mark of the ballot paper issued to that elector].

(3) A mark shall be placed in the [F543postal voters list] or the [F544proxy postal voters list] against the number of the elector to denote that a ballot paper has been issued to the elector or his proxy, but without showing the particular ballot paper issued.

(4) The number of a postal ballot paper shall be marked on the [F537postal voting statement] sent with that paper.

(5) Where postal ballot papers for more than one election are issued together under regulation 65 above—

(a)one mark shall be placed in the [F543postal voters list] or the [F545proxy postal voters list] under paragraph (3) above to denote that ballot papers have been issued in respect of all those elections; except that, where ballot papers are not so issued, a different mark shall be placed in the [F543postal voters list] or [F545proxy postal voters list] to identify the election in respect of which the ballot paper was issued; and

(b)the number of each ballot paper shall be marked on the [F537postal voting statement] under paragraph (4) above.

(6) Where the poll at one election is taken with the poll at another election (under the provisions referred to in regulation 65 above) but not the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers, the colour of the postal ballot paper shall also be marked on the [F537postal voting statement] sent with that paper.

[F546(7) [F547Subject to paragraph (8),] the address to which the postal ballot paper, [F537postal voting statement] and the envelopes referred to in regulation 74 below are to be sent is—

(a)in the case of an elector, the address shown in the [F543postal voters list];

(b)in the case of a proxy, the address shown in the [F548proxy postal voters list].]

[F549(8) Where a person has an anonymous entry in the register, the items specified in paragraph (7) must be sent (as the case may be) to the address to which postal ballot papers should be sent—

(a)as shown in the record kept under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4, or

(b)as given in pursuance of an application made under paragraph 4(1) or 7(4)(b) of Schedule 4.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C149Reg. 72 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I61Reg. 72 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Refusal to issue postal ballot paperE+W

73.  Where a returning officer is satisfied that two or more entries in the [F550postal voters list], or the [F551proxy postal voters list] or in each of those lists relate to the same elector, he shall not issue more than one ballot paper in respect of that elector at any one election.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C153Reg. 73 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I62Reg. 73 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

EnvelopesE+W

74.—(1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) below prescribe the envelopes which are to be issued to a postal voter in addition to the ballot paper and [F537postal voting statement] (which are issued under rule 24 of the elections rules(27)).

(2) There shall be issued an envelope for the return of the postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers and the [F537postal voting statement] (referred to as a “covering envelope”) which shall be marked with the letter “B”.

(3) There shall also be issued a smaller envelope (referred to as a “ballot paper envelope”) which shall be marked with-

(a)the letter “A”;

(b)the words “ballot paper envelope”, and

(c)[F552unless the envelope has a window through which the number on the ballot paper (or ballot papers) can be displayed,] the number of the ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers.

(4) Where polls are taken together (under the provisions referred to in regulation 65 above) but not the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers—

(a)the envelope referred to in paragraph (2) above shall also be marked “Covering envelope for the [insert colour of ballot paper] coloured ballot paper”, and

(b)on the envelope referred to in paragraph (3) above, after the words “Ballot paper envelope” there shall be added the words “for the [insert colour of ballot paper] coloured ballot paper”.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C157Reg. 74 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I63Reg. 74 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Sealing up of [F553completed corresponding number lists] and security of special listsE+W

75.—(1) As soon as practicable after the issue of each batch of postal ballot papers, the returning officer shall make up into a packet the [F553completed corresponding number lists] of those ballot papers which have been issued and shall seal such a packet.

[F554(2) Until the time referred to in regulation 84(9), the returning officer shall take proper precautions for the security of the marked copy of the postal voters list and the proxy postal voters list.]

F555(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C161Reg. 75 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I64Reg. 75 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Delivery of postal ballot papersE+W

76.—(1) For the purposes of delivering postal ballot papers, the returning officer may use—

(a)a universal postal service provider;

(b)a commercial delivery firm, or

(c)clerks appointed under rule 26(1) of the elections rules.

(2) Where the services of a universal postal service provider or commercial delivery firm are to be used, envelopes addressed to postal voters shall be counted and delivered by the returning officer with such form of receipt to be endorsed by that provider or firm as may be arranged.

(3) Postage shall be prepaid on envelopes addressed to the postal voters (except where paragraph (1)(c) above applies).

(4) Return postage shall be prepaid on all covering envelopes where the address provided by the postal voter for the receipt of the postal ballot paper is within the United Kingdom.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C165Reg. 76 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I65Reg. 76 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Spoilt postal ballot papersE+W

77.—[F556(1) If a postal voter has inadvertently dealt with his postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement] in such a manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot paper (referred to as “a spoilt ballot paper”) or, as the case may be, a [F537postal voting statement] (referred to as “a spoilt [F537postal voting statement]”) he may return (either by hand or by post) to the returning officer the spoilt ballot paper or, as the case may be, the spoilt [F537postal voting statement].

(2) Where a postal voter exercises the entitlement conferred by paragraph (1), he shall also return—

(a)the postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, the [F537postal voting statement], whether spoilt or not;

(b)where postal ballot papers for more than one election have been issued together under regulation 65, all other ballot papers so issued, whether spoilt or not; and

(c)the envelopes supplied for the return of the documents mentioned in paragraph (1) or sub-paragraph (a) or (b).]

(3) [F557Subject to paragraph (3A)] on receipt of the documents referred to in paragraph (1) and, where applicable paragraph (2) above, the returning officer shall issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers except where those documents are received after [F5585pm on the day of the poll].

[F559(3A) Where the returning officer receives the documents referred to in paragraph (1) and, where applicable paragraph (2), after 5pm on the day before the day of the poll, he shall only issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, ballot papers if the postal voter returned the documents by hand.]

(4) Regulations 72 (except paragraph (3)), 74, 75 and, subject to paragraph (7) below, 76 above shall apply to the issue of a replacement postal ballot paper under paragraph (3) above.

[F560(5) Any postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement], whether spoilt or not, returned in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2) shall be immediately cancelled.]

(6) The returning officer, as soon as practicable after cancelling those documents, shall make up those documents in a separate packet and shall seal the packet; and if on any subsequent occasion documents are cancelled as mentioned above, the sealed packet shall be opened and the additional cancelled documents included in it and the packet shall be again made up and sealed.

[F561(7) Where a postal voter applies in person—

(a)by 5pm on the day before the day of the poll, the returning officer may hand a replacement postal ballot paper to him; or

(b)after 5pm on the day before the day of the poll, the returning officer may only hand a replacement postal ballot paper to him,

instead of delivering it in accordance with regulation 76.]

(8) The returning officer shall enter in a list kept for the purpose (“the list of spoilt postal ballot papers”)—

(a)the name and number of the elector as stated in the register [F562 (or, in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, his electoral number alone)];

(b)the number of the postal ballot paper (or papers) issued under this regulation; and

(c)where the postal voter whose ballot paper is spoilt is a proxy, his name and address.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C169Reg. 77 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I66Reg. 77 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Lost postal ballot papersE+W

78.—[F563(1) Where a postal voter claims either to have lost or not to have received—

(a)his postal ballot paper, or

(b)the [F537postal voting statement], or

(c)one or more of the envelopes supplied for their return,

by the fourth day before the day of the poll, he may apply (whether or not in person) to the returning officer for a replacement ballot paper.]

(2) Such an application shall include evidence of the voter’s identity.

[F564(2A) Where a postal voter exercises the entitlement conferred by paragraph (1), he shall return—

(a)the documents referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to (c); and

(b)where postal ballot papers for more than one election have been issued together under regulation 65, all other ballot papers so issued,

which he has received and which have not been lost.

(2B) Any postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement] returned in accordance with paragraph (2A) shall be immediately cancelled.

(2C) The returning officer, as soon as practicable after cancelling those documents, shall make up those documents in a separate packet and shall seal the packet; and if on any subsequent occasion documents are cancelled as mentioned above, the sealed packet shall be opened and the additional cancelled documents included in it and the packet shall be again made up and sealed.]

(3) [F565Subject to paragraph (3A)] where the application is received by the returning officer before [F5665pm on the day of the poll] and the returning officer—

(a)is satisfied as to the voter’s identity, and

[F567(b)has no reason to doubt that the postal voter has either lost or has not received the original postal ballot paper or the [F537postal voting statement] or one or more of the envelopes provided for their return.]

he shall issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, postal ballot papers.

[F568(3A) Where the application is received by the returning officer after 5pm on the day before the day of the poll, he shall only issue another postal ballot paper or, as the case may be, other ballot papers if the postal voter applied in person.]

(4) The returning officer shall enter in a list kept for the purpose (“the list of lost postal ballot papers”)—

(a)the name and number of the elector as stated in the register [F569(or, in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, his electoral number alone)];

(b)the number of the postal ballot paper issued under this regulation; and

[F570(c)where the postal voter is a proxy, his name and address.]

(5) Regulations 72 (except paragraph (3)), 74, 75 and, subject to paragraph (6) below, 76 above shall apply to the issue of a replacement postal ballot paper under paragraph (3) above.

[F571(6) Where a postal voter applies in person—

(a)by 5pm on the day before the day of the poll, the returning officer may hand a replacement postal ballot paper to him; or

(b)after 5pm on the day before the day of the poll, the returning officer may only hand a replacement postal ballot paper to him,

instead of delivering it in accordance with regulation 76.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C173Reg. 78 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I67Reg. 78 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F572Cancellation of postal ballot papersE+W

78A.—(1) Where, after the final nomination day at a parliamentary or local government election, an application under—

(a)paragraph 3(5)(a) of Schedule 4 to the 2000 Act (application to be removed from record of absent voters),

(b)paragraph 3(6) or 4(3)(b) of that Schedule (application to vote by proxy by a person recorded as voting by post),

(c)paragraph 3(7) of that Schedule (application to vote by post by person recorded as voting by proxy),

(d)paragraph 4(3)(a) of that Schedule (application for postal ballot paper to be sent to different address),

(e)paragraph 6(7) or (8) of that Schedule (appointment of proxy),

(f)paragraph 7(7) of that Schedule (application from postal proxy voter for postal ballot paper to be sent to a different address), or

(g)paragraph 7(9)(a) of that Schedule (application by proxy to be removed from record of postal proxies),

is granted or a notice under paragraph 6(10) of that Schedule (cancellation of proxy appointment) is received, and the application or notice is not to be disregarded for the purposes of that election under regulation 56, the registration officer must notify the returning officer who must immediately cancel any postal ballot paper issued to the elector or proxy and, in the case of an application mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) or (f), must issue a replacement ballot paper.

(2) Where a person returns a postal ballot paper that has been or is to be cancelled in accordance with paragraph (1) (whether to the registration officer or the returning officer), it must be dealt with as follows—

(a)the ballot paper, together with any other ballot papers, postal voting statements or covering envelopes which are returned to the registration officer, must be given by the registration officer to the returning officer;

(b)any document returned in accordance with this paragraph but not cancelled in accordance with paragraph (1) must be immediately cancelled;

(c)the returning officer, as soon as practicable after receiving and cancelling those documents, shall make up those documents in a separate packet and shall seal the packet, and if on any subsequent occasion documents are returned in accordance with this paragraph, the sealed packet shall be opened and the additional cancelled documents included in it and the packet shall be again made up and sealed.

(3) The returning officer must enter in a list kept for the purpose of recording postal ballot papers cancelled under this regulation (“the list of cancelled postal ballot papers”)—

(a)the name and number of the elector as stated in the register of electors (or, in the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, their electoral number alone);

(b)the number of the cancelled postal ballot paper;

(c)the number of any replacement postal ballot paper issued under paragraph (1); and

(d)where the postal voter is a proxy, their name and address.

(4) Regulations 72 (except paragraph (3)), 74, 75 and 76 apply to a replacement postal ballot paper issued under paragraph (1).

(5) In this regulation “the final nomination day” has the meaning given by section 13B(5) of the 1983 Act.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Receipt of Postal Ballot PapersE+W

Alternative means of returning postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement] E+W

79.—(1) For the purposes of rule 45(1B) of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act(28) the manner in which a postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement] may be returned to a polling station is by hand.

(2) For these purposes, the manner in which such a paper or [F573statement] may be returned to the returning officer is by post or by hand.

[F574(2A) For elections other than local government elections in Wales, subject to paragraphs (2B) and (4) the presiding officer of the polling station must deliver, or cause to be delivered—

(a)any postal ballot paper or postal voting statement, and

(b)any return of postal voting documents form,

returned to that station to the returning officer in the same manner and at the same time as the presiding officer delivers, or causes to be delivered, the packets referred to in rule 43(1) of the elections rules.

(2B) A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement may only be delivered to the returning officer in accordance with paragraph (2A) if the requirements of regulation 79A are met and the paper and statement are not rejected in accordance with regulation 79B or 79D.]

(3) [F575For local government elections in Wales,] [F576subject to paragraph (4)] the presiding officer of the polling station shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, any postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement] returned to that station to the returning officer in the same manner and at the same time as he delivers, or causes to be delivered, the packets referred to in rule 43(1) of the elections rules.

[F577(4) The returning officer may collect, or cause to be collected, any postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement] [F578or return of postal voting documents form] which by virtue of paragraph [F579(2A) or] (3) the presiding officer of a polling station would otherwise be required to deliver or cause to be delivered to him.

[F580(4A) For elections other than local government elections in Wales, where the returning officer collects, or causes to be collected, any postal ballot paper or postal voting statement or return of postal voting documents form in accordance with paragraph (4) the presiding officer must first make up into separate packets sealed with the presiding officer’s own seal and the seals of such polling agents as are present and desire to affix their seals with a description of its contents written on each packet—

(a)the postal ballot papers and postal voting statements; and

(b)the return of postal voting documents forms for those postal ballot papers and postal voting statements.]

(5) [F581For local government elections in Wales,] where the returning officer collects, or causes to be collected, any postal ballot paper or [F537postal voting statement] in accordance with paragraph (4) the presiding officer shall first make it (or them) up into a packet (or packets) sealed with his own seal and the seals of such polling agents as are present and desire to affix their seals.]

Textual Amendments

F575Words in reg. 79(3) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(5)(b)

F581Words in reg. 79(5) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(5)(e)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C177Reg. 79 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended by (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iii))

C179Reg. 79 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (9.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums)(England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/323), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (as amended (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iii))

C180Reg. 79 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (18.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/444), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (with reg. 27) (as amended (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iii))

Commencement Information

I68Reg. 79 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F582Requirements of return of postal voting documents formE+W

79A.—(1) The requirements of this regulation are—

(a)the person handing in a postal voting document (“P”) completes a form containing the following information (a “return of postal voting documents form”)—

(i)P’s name and address,

(ii)whether P is handing in P’s own postal voting documents,

(iii)the number of other electors for whom P is handing in postal voting documents,

(iv)the total number of envelopes containing postal ballot papers P is handing in, including P’s own,

(v)the reason P is handing in postal voting documents for other electors,

(vi)a declaration by P that P has not handed in postal voting documents at any polling station or to the returning officer for a total of more than the number of electors other than P set out in regulation 79B(1)(c) or 82B(1)(c), including those being handed in at that time, and either—

(aa)that to the best of P’s knowledge, P is not a political campaigner for whom it is an offence to handle the postal voting documents concerned in accordance with section 112A of the 1983 Act, or

(bb)that P is a political campaigner and is only handing in postal voting documents for P and for P’s spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild, or someone for whom P provides regular care or for whom regular care is provided by an organisation which employs or engages P, and

(b)the relevant officer has endorsed the return of postal voting documents form returned by P to confirm the relevant officer’s name and that—

(i)the relevant officer is satisfied that the form has been completed properly and provides the information required by paragraph (a),

(ii)the relevant officer does not suspect that the number of electors other than P for whom P is handing in postal voting documents exceeds the number of electors set out in regulation 79B(1)(c) or 82B(1)(c),

(iii)the relevant officer does not suspect that P is a political campaigner who is committing an offence under section 112A of the 1983 Act, and

(iv)the postal voting documents to which the form relates are not rejected.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a)(vi)(bb), two people living together as if they were a married couple or civil partners are treated as if they were spouses or civil partners of each other.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C181Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iii))

C182Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iii))

C183Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iii))

Rejection of postal voting documents handed in at a polling stationE+W

79B.—(1) A relevant officer must reject—

(a)all postal voting documents handed in by P where P fails to fully complete the return of postal voting documents form with the required information;

(b)all postal voting documents handed in by P other than P’s own postal voting documents where the relevant officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the documents are handed in on behalf of more than five other electors;

(c)a postal voting document handed in by P or all postal voting documents handed in together by P (other than P’s own postal voting documents) where the relevant officer has reasonable cause to suspect that, taking that document or those documents together with any postal voting documents handed in by P on any previous occasion in respect of the same election, or in respect of an election in England for which the day of poll is the same as the election to which the documents relate (whether to a polling station or to the returning officer and disregarding any that were rejected), P has handed in postal voting documents on behalf of more than five other electors.

(2) Where P hands in one or more proxy postal ballot papers completed by P as proxy for another elector, for “five” in paragraphs (1)(b) and (c), substitute the number that is five minus the number of proxy postal ballot papers P hands in.

(3) A relevant officer may reject a postal voting document handed in by P where the relevant officer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that, in handing in the document, P is committing an offence under section 112A of the 1983 Act.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C181Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iii))

C182Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iii))

C183Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iii))

Procedure for dealing with rejected postal voting documents handed in at a polling stationE+W

79C.—(1) Where any postal voting document has been rejected in accordance with regulation 79B the relevant officer must indicate this, together with the reason or reasons for the rejection and the relevant officer’s name, on the return of postal voting documents form and attach the form to the postal voting documents concerned.

(2) The presiding officer must make up a packet (or packets) of the rejected postal voting documents and the accompanying return of postal voting documents forms, sealed with the presiding officer’s own seal and the seals of such polling agents as are present and desire to affix their seals with a description of its contents written on each packet.

(3) Where a return of postal voting documents form relates to postal voting documents which have not all been rejected, that form must be dealt with as if it related just to the rejected postal voting documents, and the postal voting documents which have been rejected must be noted on it.

(4) The presiding officer must deliver, or cause to be delivered, those packets in the same manner and at the same time as the presiding officer delivers, or causes to be delivered, the packets referred to in rule 43(1) of the elections rules.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C181Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iii))

C182Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iii))

C183Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iii))

Postal voting documents left behind at a polling stationE+W

79D.—(1) Where a person leaves a left behind postal voting document at a polling station, the relevant officer must reject that left behind postal voting document.

(2) The relevant officer must—

(a)write on a return of postal voting documents form to confirm that the postal voting document is a left behind postal voting document,

(b)write the relevant officer’s name on that form, and

(c)attach that form to the left behind postal voting document.

(3) Left behind postal voting documents and the attached return of postal voting documents forms must be included in the packet of rejected postal voting documents and forms made up in accordance with regulation 79C(2).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C181Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iii))

C182Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iii))

C183Regs. 79A-79D applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iii))

Notice of opening of postal ballot paper envelopesE+W

80.—(1) The returning officer shall give to each candidate not less than 48 hours' notice in writing of each occasion on which a postal voters' ballot box and the envelopes contained in it is to be opened.

(2) Such a notice shall specify—

(a)the time and place at which such an opening is to take place, and

(b)the number of agents a candidate may appoint under regulation 69(1) above to attend each opening.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C186Reg. 80 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I69Reg. 80 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Postal ballot boxes and receptaclesE+W

81.—(1) The returning officer shall provide a separate ballot box for the reception of—

(a)the covering envelopes when returned by the postal voters (“postal voters' ballot box”), and

(b)postal ballot papers (“postal ballot box”).

(2) Each such ballot box shall be marked “postal voters' ballot box” or “postal ballot box”, as the case may be, and with the name of the constituency or electoral area (or areas) for which the election (or elections) is held.

(3) The postal ballot box shall be shown to the agents present on the occasion of opening the first postal voters' ballot box as being empty.

(4) The returning officer shall then lock the ballot box and apply his seal in such manner as to prevent its being opened without breaking the seal; any of the agents present who wish to add their seals may then do likewise.

(5) The returning officer shall provide the following receptacles—

(a)the receptacle for rejected votes;

F583(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes; F584...

(d)the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes;

[F585(e)the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure); and

(f)the receptacle for postal voting statements (verification procedure).]

(6) The returning officer shall take proper precautions for the safe custody of every ballot box and receptacle referred to in this regulation.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C190Reg. 81 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I70Reg. 81 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Receipt of covering envelopeE+W

82.—(1) [F586For local government elections in Wales, the] returning officer shall, immediately on receipt (whether by hand or by post) of a covering envelope (or an envelope which is stated to include a postal vote) before the close of the poll, place it unopened in a postal voters' ballot box.

[F587(1A) For elections other than local government elections in Wales, the relevant officer must, immediately on receipt by post of a covering envelope (or an envelope which is stated to include a postal vote) before the close of the poll, place it unopened in a postal voters’ ballot box.]

(2) Where an envelope, other than a covering envelope issued by the returning officer—

(a)has been opened, and

(b)contains a ballot paper envelope, [F537postal voting statement] or ballot paper,

the first-mentioned envelope, together with its contents, shall be placed in a postal voters' ballot box.

Textual Amendments

F586Words in reg. 82(1) substituted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(7)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I71Reg. 82 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F588Postal voting documents handed in to the returning officerE+W

82A.—(1) This regulation applies to any postal voting document returned by hand in accordance with—

(a)in respect of a parliamentary election, regulation 79(2);

(b)in respect of a local government election in England—

(i)rule 45(4)(a) of Schedule 2 or rule 45(7)(a) of Schedule 3 to the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006,

(ii)rule 45(4)(a) of Schedule 2 or rule 45(6)(a) of Schedule 3 to the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006, or

(iii)rule 49(3)(a) of Schedule 1, rule 50(3)(a) of Schedule 2, rule 49(3)(a) of Schedule 3, rule 49(6)(a) of Schedule 5, rule 50(6)(a) of Schedule 6 or rule 49(6)(a) of Schedule 7 to the Greater London Authority Elections Rules 2007.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), a person acting under the authority of the returning officer (“the authorised person”) must deliver to the returning officer—

(a)any postal voting document to which this regulation applies and which is handed in before the close of poll, and

(b)the return of postal voting documents form completed in respect of it.

(3) A postal voting document may only be delivered to the returning officer in accordance with paragraph (2) if the requirements of regulation 79A are met and the document is not rejected in accordance with regulation 82B or 82D.

(4) Before delivering them to the returning officer in accordance with paragraph (2), the authorised person must first make up into separate packets with a description of its contents written on each packet which is then sealed up—

(a)the postal voting documents;

(b)the return of postal voting documents forms for those postal voting documents.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C196Reg. 82A applied (with modifications) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 2 Table 4 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 5(3)(b))

C197Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iv))

C198Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iv))

C199Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iv))

Rejection of postal voting documents handed in to the returning officerE+W

82B.—(1) The authorised person must reject—

(a)all postal voting documents handed in by P in accordance with regulation 82A(1) where P fails to fully complete the return of postal voting documents form with the required information;

(b)all postal voting documents handed in by P in accordance with regulation 82A(1) other than P’s own postal voting documents where the authorised person has reasonable cause to suspect that the documents are handed in on behalf of more than five other electors;

(c)a postal voting document handed in by P or all postal voting documents handed in together by P in accordance with regulation 82A(1) (other than P’s own postal voting documents) where the authorised person has reasonable cause to suspect that, taking that document or those documents together with any postal voting documents handed in by P on any previous occasion in respect of the same election, or in respect of an election in England for which the day of poll is the same as the election to which the documents relate (whether to a polling station or to the returning officer and disregarding any that were rejected), P has handed in postal voting documents on behalf of more than five other electors.

(2) Where P hands in one or more proxy postal ballot papers completed by P as proxy for another elector, for “five” in paragraphs (1)(b) and (c), substitute the number that is five minus the number of proxy postal ballot papers P hands in.

(3) The authorised person may reject a postal voting document handed in by P in accordance with regulation 82A(1) where the authorised person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that, in handing in the document, P is committing an offence under section 112A of the 1983 Act.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C196Reg. 82A applied (with modifications) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 2 Table 4 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 5(3)(b))

C197Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iv))

C198Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iv))

C199Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iv))

Procedure for dealing with rejected postal voting documents handed in to the returning officerE+W

82C.—(1) Where any postal voting document has been rejected in accordance with regulation 82B the authorised person must indicate this, together with the reason or reasons for the rejection and the authorised person’s name, on the return of postal voting documents form and attach the form to the postal voting documents concerned.

(2) The authorised person must make up a packet (or packets) of the rejected postal voting documents and the accompanying return of postal voting documents forms which must be sealed up with a description of its contents written on each packet.

(3) Where a return of postal voting documents form relates to postal voting documents which have not all been rejected, that form must be dealt with as if it related just to the rejected postal voting documents, and the postal voting documents which have been rejected must be noted on it.

(4) The authorised person must deliver those packets to the returning officer before the close of the poll.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C196Reg. 82A applied (with modifications) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 2 Table 4 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 5(3)(b))

C197Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iv))

C198Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iv))

C199Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iv))

Postal voting documents left behind with the returning officerE+W

82D.—(1) This regulation applies to a postal voting document to which regulation 82A(1) applies which is a left behind postal voting document.

(2) The authorised person must—

(a)reject the left behind postal voting document,

(b)write on a return of postal voting documents form to confirm that the postal voting document is a left behind postal voting document,

(c)write the authorised person’s name on that form, and

(d)attach that form to the left behind postal voting document.

(3) Left behind postal voting documents and the attached return of postal voting documents forms must be included in the packet of rejected postal voting documents and forms made up in accordance with regulation 82C(2).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C196Reg. 82A applied (with modifications) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 2 Table 4 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 5(3)(b))

C197Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iv))

C198Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iv))

C199Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iv))

Opening of delivered or collected packets of postal voting documentsE+W

82E.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to the packets of postal voting documents delivered to or collected by the returning officer in accordance with regulation 79(2A) or (4A) or 82A(1).

(2) Regulations 69(2), 80, 81(6), 83(1) and 84 apply to a packet to which this paragraph applies as if that packet were a postal voters’ ballot box.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C196Reg. 82A applied (with modifications) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2007/1024, Sch. 2 Table 4 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 5(3)(b))

C197Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(iv))

C198Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(iv))

C199Regs. 82A-82E applied (with modifications) (E.) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with S.I. 2023/1225, reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Table 6 (as amended by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(iv))

Opening of postal voters' ballot boxE+W

83.—(1) Each postal voters' ballot box shall be opened by the returning officer in the presence of the agents.

(2) So long as the returning officer ensures that there is at least one sealed postal voters' ballot box for the reception of covering envelopes up to the time of the close of the poll, the other postal voters' ballot boxes may previously be opened by him.

(3) The last postal voters' ballot box and the postal ballot box shall be opened at the counting of the votes under rule 45 of the elections rules.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C202Reg. 83 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I72Reg. 83 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Opening of covering envelopesE+W

84.—[F589(1) When a postal voters’ ballot box is opened, the returning officer shall count and record the number of covering envelopes (including any envelope which is stated to include a postal vote and any envelope described in regulation 82(2)(above).

F590(1A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1B) He shall open separately each covering envelope (including an envelope described in regulation 82(2) above).]

[F591(2) The procedure in regulation 85A applies where a covering envelope (including an envelope to which regulation 82(2) above applies) contains a postal voting statement.]

(3) Where the covering envelope does not contain the [F537postal voting statement] separately, the returning officer shall open the ballot paper envelope to ascertain whether the [F537postal voting statement] is inside.

[F592(4) Where a covering envelope does not contain a postal voting statement (whether separately or not), the returning officer shall mark the covering envelope “provisionally rejected”, attach its contents (if any) and place it in the receptacle for rejected votes.]

F593[F594(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) In carrying out the procedures in this regulation and regulations 85 to 88, the returning officer—

(a)shall keep the ballot papers face downwards and shall take proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the votes made on the ballot papers; and

(b)shall not be permitted to view the corresponding number list used at the issue of postal ballot papers.

(7) Where an envelope opened in accordance with paragraph (1B) contains a postal voting statement, the returning officer shall place a mark in the marked copy of the postal voters list or proxy postal voters list in a place corresponding to the number of the elector to denote that a postal vote has been returned.

(8) A mark made under paragraph (7) shall be distinguishable from and shall not obscure the mark made under regulation 72(3).

(9) As soon as practicable after the last covering envelope has been opened, the returning officer shall make up into a packet the copy of the marked postal voters list and proxy postal voters list that have been marked in accordance with paragraph (7) and shall seal such a packet.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I73Reg. 84 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F595Confirming receipt of postal voting statementsE+W

84A.—(1) An elector or a proxy voter who is shown in the postal voters list or proxy postal voters list may make a request, at any time between the first issue of postal ballots under regulation 71 and the close of the poll, that the returning officer confirm—

(a)whether a mark is shown in the marked copy of the postal voters list or proxy postal voters list in a place corresponding to the number of the elector to denote that a postal vote has been returned, and

(b)whether the number of the ballot paper issued to the elector or his proxy has been recorded on either of the lists of provisionally rejected votes kept by the returning officer under paragraphs (2) and (3) of regulation 87.

(2) A request under paragraph (1) shall—

(a)be made by any method specified, and

(b)include any evidence of the voter’s identity requested,

by the returning officer.

(3) Where a request is received in accordance with paragraph (2) the returning officer shall satisfy himself that the request has been made by the elector or their proxy and where he is so satisfied provide confirmation of the matters under paragraph (1).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C210Reg. 84A applied (with modifications) (E.) (6.4.2014) by S.I. 2012/2031, regs. 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/333), regs. 1(6), 10(a), Sch. 2 (with reg. 1(7)))

Procedure in relation to declarations of identityE+W

F59685.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F597Procedure in relation to postal voting statements: personal identifier verificationE+W

85A.—[F598(1) This regulation applies in the circumstances described in regulation 84(2).]

(2) The returning officer must satisfy himself that the postal voting statement is duly completed and as part of that process must compare the date of birth and the signature on the postal voting statement against the date of birth and signature contained in the personal identifier record relating to the person to whom the postal ballot paper was addressed.

(3) Where the returning officer is not so satisfied, he shall mark the statement “rejected”, attach to it the ballot paper envelope, or if there is no such envelope [F599but there is a ballot paper], the ballot paper, and, subject to paragraph (4), place it in the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure).

(4) Before placing a postal voting statement in the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure), the returning officer must show it to the agents and must permit them to view the entries in the personal identifiers record which relate to the person to whom the postal ballot paper was addressed, and if any of them object to his decision, he must add the words “rejection objected to”.

(5) The returning officer shall then examine the number on the postal voting statement against the number on the ballot paper envelope and, where they are the same, he shall place the statement and the ballot paper envelope respectively in the receptacle for postal voting statements (verification procedure) and the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes.

(6) Where—

(a)the number on a valid postal voting statement is not the same as the number on the ballot paper envelope, or

(b)that envelope has no number on it (or only one number when the postal voting statement has more than one),

the returning officer shall open the envelope.

(7) Paragraph (8) applies where—

(a)there is a valid postal voting statement but no ballot paper envelope; or

(b)the ballot paper envelope has been opened under regulation 84(3) or paragraph (6) above.

(8) In the circumstances described in paragraph (7) above, the returning officer shall place—

(a)in the postal ballot box, any ballot paper the number on which is the same as the number on the valid postal voting statement;

(b)in the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure), any other ballot paper, with the valid postal voting statement attached and marked “provisionally rejected”‘

(c)in the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure), any valid postal voting statement marked “provisionally rejected” where—

(i)there is no ballot paper, or

(ii)in the case of a statement on which the number of more than one ballot paper appears, there is not a sufficient number of ballot papers and, in such a case, shall mark the statement to indicate which ballot paper is missing;

(d)in the receptacle for postal voting statements (verification procedure), any valid statement not disposed of under sub-paragraph (b) or (c) above.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C216Reg. 85A applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Postal Voting Statements: additional personal identifier verificationE+W

F60085B.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Opening of ballot paper envelopesE+W

86.—(1) The returning officer shall open separately each ballot paper envelope placed in the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes.

(2) He shall place—

(a)in the postal ballot box, any ballot paper the number on which is the same as the number (or one of the numbers) on the ballot paper envelope;

(b)in the receptacle for rejected votes, any other ballot paper which shall be marked “provisionally rejected” and to which shall be attached the ballot paper envelope; and

(c)in the receptacle for rejected ballot paper envelopes, any ballot paper envelope which shall be marked “provisionally rejected” because it does not contain either a ballot paper or, where more than one number appears on the ballot paper envelope, a sufficient number of ballot papers (and indicating, in such a case, the missing ballot paper).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I74Reg. 86 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F601Retrieval of cancelled postal ballot papersE+W

86A.—(1) Where it appears to the returning officer that a cancelled postal ballot paper has been placed—

(a)in a postal voters’ ballot box;

(b)in the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes; or

(c)a postal ballot box,

he shall proceed as follows.

(2) He shall, on at least one occasion on which a postal voters ballot box is opened in accordance with regulation 83, also open any postal ballot box and the receptacle for ballot paper envelopes and—

(a)retrieve the cancelled ballot paper;

(b)show the ballot paper number on the cancelled ballot paper to the agents;

(c)retrieve the postal voting statement that relates to a cancelled ballot paper from the receptacle for postal voting statements [F602(verification procedure)];

(d)attach any cancelled postal ballot paper to the postal voting statement to which it relates;

(e)place the cancelled documents in a separate packet and deal with that packet in the manner provided for by regulation 77(6) [F603or 78A(2)]; and

(f)unless the postal ballot box has been opened for the purposes of the counting of votes under rule 45 of the elections rules, re-lock (if it has a lock) and re-seal the postal ballot box in the presence of the agents.

(3) Whilst retrieving a cancelled ballot paper in accordance with paragraph (2), the returning officer and his staff—

(a)shall keep the ballot papers face downwards and shall take proper precautions for preventing any person seeing the votes made on the ballot papers, and

(b)shall not be permitted to view the corresponding number list used at the issue of postal ballot papers.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C224Reg. 86A applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Lists of rejected postal ballot papers [F604or postal voting documents] E+W

87.—[F605(1) In respect of any election other than a local government election in Wales, the returning officer must keep the four separate lists relating to rejected postal ballot papers or postal voting documents specified in this regulation.

(1A) In respect of any local government election in Wales, the returning officer must keep the first, second and third lists specified in this regulation.]

(2) In the first list, he shall record the ballot paper number of any postal ballot paper for which no valid [F537postal voting statement] was received with it.

(3) In the second list, he shall record the ballot paper number of any postal ballot paper which is entered on a valid [F537postal voting statement] where that ballot paper is not received with the [F537postal voting statement].

[F606(4) In the third list, he shall record for every postal voting statement within the receptacle for rejected votes (verification procedure) immediately prior to sealing—

(a)the elector’s name and address (and the name and address of the proxy if the elector has a proxy),

(b)the elector’s number on the register of electors (and that of the proxy if the elector has a proxy),

(c)the specified reason or reasons for the rejection of the postal voting statement, and

(d)any other information relating to the rejection that the returning officer considers appropriate, but not the ballot paper number.

(5) The specified reasons that may be given under sub-paragraph (4)(c) for the rejection of a postal voting statement are as follows—

(a)the signature does not match the example held on the personal identifiers record,

(b)the date of birth does not match the one held on the personal identifiers record,

(c)the signature field is blank, or

(d)the date of birth field is blank.]

[F607(6) In the fourth list, the returning officer must, subject to paragraph (9), record in relation to any elector whose postal voting documents were rejected in accordance with regulation 79B or 82B or were left behind postal voting documents—

(a)the elector’s name and address (and the name and address of the proxy if the elector has a proxy),

(b)the elector’s number on the register of electors (and that of the proxy if the elector has a proxy),

(c)the specified reason or reasons for the rejection of the postal voting documents,

(d)an indication as to whether the postal voting documents included a postal ballot paper the number of which matched the postal ballot paper number marked on the postal voting statement, and

(e)any other information relating to the rejection that the returning officer considers appropriate, but not the postal ballot paper number.

(7) The specified reasons that may be given under sub-paragraph (6)(c) for the rejection of the postal voting documents are—

(a)the postal voting documents were handed in at a polling station or to the returning officer but the return of postal voting documents form was not fully completed with the required information;

(b)the postal voting documents were handed in at a polling station or to the returning officer but the number of postal voting documents handed in exceeded or was suspected to exceed the permitted number;

(c)the postal voting documents were handed in by a political campaigner who was not permitted to hand in those postal voting documents;

(d)the postal voting documents were left behind postal voting documents.

(8) In compiling the fourth list the returning officer must open separately each covering envelope (including an envelope described in regulation 82(2)) and each ballot paper envelope.

(9) The obligation in paragraph (6) does not apply where an elector’s rejected postal voting documents do not include a postal voting statement.]

Textual Amendments

F604Words in reg. 87 heading inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(9)(a)

F605Reg. 87(1)(1A) substituted for reg. 87(1) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(9)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C226Reg. 87 applied (with modifications) (E.) (9.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums)(England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/323), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (as amended (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(v))

C227Reg. 87 applied (with modifications) (E.) (18.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/444), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (with reg. 27) (as amended (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(v))

C228Reg. 87 applied (with modifications) (E.) (6.4.2014) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended by (S.I. 2014/333, regs. 1(6), 10(a), Sch. 2 (with reg. 1(7)) and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(v))

Commencement Information

I75Reg. 87 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Checking of lists kept under regulation 87E+W

88.—(1) Where the returning officer receives a valid [F537postal voting statement] without the postal ballot paper (or papers or, as the case may be, all of the papers) to which it relates, he may, at any time prior to the close of the poll, check the list kept under regulation 87(2) above to see whether the number (or numbers) of a postal ballot paper to which the [F608statement] relates is entered in that list.

(2) Where the returning officer receives a postal ballot paper without the [F537 postal voting statement] to which it relates, he may, at any time prior to the close of the poll, check the list kept under regulation 87(3) above to see whether the number of that ballot paper is entered in that list.

(3) The returning officer shall conduct the checks required by paragraphs (1) and (2) above as soon as practicable after the receipt of packets from every polling station in the constituency or, as the case may be, electoral area under rule 43(1) of the elections rules.

(4) Where the ballot paper number in the list matches that number on a valid [F537 postal voting statement] or, as the case may be, the postal ballot paper, the returning officer shall retrieve that [F609statement] or paper.

(5) The returning officer shall then take the appropriate steps under this Part of these Regulations as though any document earlier marked “provisionally rejected” had not been so marked and shall amend the document accordingly.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I76Reg. 88 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Sealing of receptaclesE+W

89.—(1) As soon as practicable after the completion of the procedure under regulation 88(3) and (4) above, the returning officer shall make up into separate packets the contents of-

(a)the receptacle of rejected votes,

F610(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)the receptacle of rejected ballot paper envelopes, F611...

(d)the lists of [F612spoilt, lost or cancelled] postal ballot papers,

[F613(e)the receptacle of rejected votes (verification procedure), and

(f)the receptacle of postal voting statements (verification procedure),]

[F614(g)the packets of rejected postal voting documents and accompanying return of postal voting documents forms made up in accordance with regulations 79C(2) and 82C(2),]

and shall seal up such packets.

(2) Any document in those packets marked “provisionally rejected” shall be deemed to be marked “rejected”.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I77Reg. 89 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Abandoned pollE+W

90.—(1) Where a poll is abandoned or countermanded after postal ballot papers have been issued, by reason of the death of a candidate, the returning officer—

(a)shall not take any step or further step to open covering envelopes or deal with the contents in accordance with the provisions of this Part of these Regulations; and

(b)shall, notwithstanding regulations 84 to 86 above, treat all unopened covering envelopes and the contents of those that have been opened as if they were counted ballot papers.

(2) Paragraph (1) above shall not apply where postal ballot papers for more than one election have been issued together under regulation 65 above.

Commencement Information

I78Reg. 90 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Forwarding of documentsE+W

91.—(1) [F615The 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—]

(a)any packets referred to in regulations 75, 77(6) [F616, 78(2C)] [F617, [F61878A(2),] [F61979(4A)(b), 82A(4)(b),] 84(9)] and 89 above, subject to regulation 90 above, endorsing on each packet a description of its contents, the date of the election to which it relates and the name of the constituency or electoral area (or areas) for which the election (or elections) was held, and

(b)F620... a completed statement in Form K [F621in respect of a local government election in Wales, or Form K1 in respect of any other election,] of the number of postal ballot papers issued.

F622(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) Where—

(a)any covering envelopes are received by the returning officer after the close of the poll (apart from those delivered in accordance with the provisions of regulation [F62379(2A) and (3)] above);

(b)any envelopes addressed to postal voters are returned as undelivered too late to be readdressed, or

(c)any spoilt postal ballot papers are returned too late to enable other postal ballot papers to be issued,

the returning officer shall put them unopened in a separate packet, seal up such packet and endorse and forward it at a subsequent date in the manner described in paragraph (1) above.

[F624(3A) A returning officer, shall at the same time as forwarding the documents mentioned in paragraph (1)—

(a)forward the [F625lists] required to be compiled under regulation 87(4) [F626and (6)] to the relevant registration officer determined in accordance with rule 55(1A) of the election rules, and

(b)where the constituency comprises any part of the area of more than one local authority, the returning officer shall also forward a copy of such extracts of the [F627lists] required to be compiled under regulation 87(4) [F628and (6)] as are relevant to each of the other registration officers concerned.]

[F629(3B) Sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (3A) applies to an Authority election as if the reference to the constituency was a reference to the electoral area.]

(4) Rules 56 and 57 of the elections rules shall apply to any packet or document forwarded under this regulation [F630except that in applying those rules to the [F631lists] compiled under regulation 87(4) [F632and (6)], the [F631lists] and any extracts from it are to be treated in the same manner as a counted ballot paper.]

(5) A copy of the statement referred to in paragraph (1)(b) above shall be provided by the returning officer to the Secretary of State [F633and the Electoral Commission in the period which starts 10 days after the day of the poll and ends 15 days after that day].

Textual Amendments

F619Words in reg. 91(1)(a) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(a)(i)

F621Words in reg. 91(1)(b) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(a)(ii)

F623Words in reg. 91(3)(a) substituted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(b)

F625Word in reg. 91(3A)(a) substituted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(c)(i)

F626Words in reg. 91(3A)(a) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(c)(ii)

F627Word in reg. 91(3A)(b) substituted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(c)(i)

F628Words in reg. 91(3A)(b) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(c)(ii)

F631Word in reg. 91(4) substituted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(11)(d)(i)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C240Reg. 91 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended (6.4.2014) by S.I. 2014/333, regs. 1(6), 10(e) (with reg. 1(7)))

Commencement Information

I79Reg. 91 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F634PART VIE+WSUPPLY OF REGISTER ETC

Textual Amendments

Interpretation and edited registerE+W

Interpretation and application of Part VI etcE+W

92.—(1) In this Part “register” includes—

(a)any part of the register referred to, and

(b)(except in [F635regulations 93 and 93A] and in the context of the supply by the registration officer of the register and notices altering the register), any notice altering the register which is published under section 13A(2) [F636,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F637, (3B) or (3D)] of the 1983 Act.

(2) In this Part—

(a)“enactment” has the same meaning as in section 17(2) of the 2000 Act, F638...

(b)“processor” means any person who provides a service which consists of putting information into data form or processing information in data form and any reference to a processor includes a reference to his employees.

[F639(ba)“relevant requirement” means the requirement under Article 89 of [F640the UK GDPR], read with section 19 of the Data Protection Act 2018, that personal data processed for Article 89 GDPR purposes must be subject to appropriate safeguards.]

F641(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F641(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) In this Part, any reference to an employee of any person who has access to a copy of the full register shall be deemed to include any person working or providing services for the purposes of that person or employed by or on behalf of, or working for, any person who is so working or who is supplying such a service.

(4) Where any person has been supplied with a copy of a register of electors pursuant to the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001, or the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland Regulations 2001, that person shall be under the same duties and obligations and subject to the same penalties in relation to the copy supplied as he would have been under had that copy been supplied to him pursuant to these Regulations (and, accordingly, where that copy is a copy of a full register he shall be under the same duties, obligations and penalties that he would have been under had he been supplied with a copy of a full register pursuant to these Regulations).

(5) Subject to any direction of the Secretary of State under section 52(1) of the 1983 Act, any duty on a registration officer to supply data under this Part imposes only a duty to supply data in the form in which he holds it.

(6) The registration officer shall not supply data which includes information not included in the printed version of the full register otherwise than under a provision in an enactment.

(7) Any person who has obtained [F642or is entitled to obtain] a copy of the full register under regulations [F64397(5), 97A(7),] 98, 100, 101, 103, 105, 106, 109, [F644109A(9),] 113 or 114 may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to a processor for the purpose of processing the information contained in the register,

(b)procure that a processor processes and provides to them any copy of the register which the processor has obtained under these Regulations,

for use in respect of the purposes for which that person is entitled to obtain such copy or information (as the case may be).

F645(8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9) The processor may not disclose the full register or the information contained in it except to the person who supplied it to the processor or an employee of that person or a person who is entitled to obtain a copy of the full register under these Regulations or any employee of such a person.

(10) The restrictions contained in regulations 94(3), 95(2), [F64697(6), 97A(8),] 98(9), 100(3), 101(6), 103(3), 104(3), 105(4), 106(3), [F647107(3)], 107(8), 108(5) [F648, 109(3) and 109A(10)] below apply to a person to whom the full register, or any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register) has been supplied or disclosed under those paragraphs as they apply to the person to whom those regulations apply.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Edited version of registerE+W

93.—(1) At the time when the registration officer publishes a version of the register under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act, (“the full register”), he shall also publish a version of the register under this regulation (“the edited register”).

(2) The edited register shall omit the name and address of any elector whose details are included in the full register, if a request has been duly made [F649to the registration officer in accordance with regulation 26 or regulation 93A by that elector] for his name and address to be excluded from the edited register.

[F650(2A) The edited register shall omit all anonymous entries in the register, and any information relating to them.]

[F651(3) In other respects the edited register shall be identical to the full register (and, accordingly, shall include any mark or date which is required to be recorded against the name of any elector), except that it shall take account of alterations in respect of which the registration officer has issued a notice under section 13A of the 1983 Act.

(3A) The registration officer must publish a revised version of the edited register incorporating any alterations which are required to be made by virtue of a request under either regulation 26 or regulation 93A and any alterations to the edited register in respect of which the registration officer is required to issue a notice under section 13A of the 1983 Act.

(3B) The registration officer must publish the revised version of the edited register in accordance with paragraph (3A)—

(a)on the first day of the month which follows the date the request was received or, if the first day of the month is less than 14 days after the date the request was received, on the first day of the month immediately following that month; or

(b)on the day the registration officer is required to publish the notice of alteration in accordance with section 13A;

whichever is appropriate.

(3C) Where no alterations are required to be made the duty in regulation 93(3A) does not apply.]

(4) Notwithstanding the omission of names and addresses in accordance with paragraph (2), regulation 41 above shall apply to the edited register as it applies to the full register.

(5) Unless the contrary intention appears, any reference in these Regulations to the register is to the full register.

(6) The manner in which each revised version of the edited register is to be published under this regulation is—

(a)by the registration officer making a copy of it available for inspection at his office; and

(b)by such other means (if any) as he thinks appropriate.

(7) Each revised version of the edited register shall be kept published until the coming into force of the next revised version of it.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F652Notifying registration officer of change to edited register preferenceE+W

93A.—(1) A person must make a request to the registration officer for the area in which the person resides if that person wishes to be included in or omitted from the edited register otherwise than in accordance with an application under regulation 26.

(2) A person making a request under paragraph (1) must provide the registration officer with the person’s full name, address and an indication of whether the person wishes to be included in or omitted from the edited register.

F653(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) Where a person has made a request in accordance with paragraph (1), the registration officer [F654may] notify the person in writing of the following—

(a)confirmation that the person has requested that they are included in or omitted from the edited register;

(b)when a revised version of the edited register reflecting the request will be published under regulation 93(3A);

(c)the manner in which the person may contact the registration officer if this information is not correct.]

Textual Amendments

General restrictionsE+W

Restrictions on supply of full register and disclosure of information from it by the registration officer and his staffE+W

94.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)the registration officer;

(b)any deputy registration officer; and

(c)any person appointed to assist any such officer or who in the course of his employment is assigned to assist any such officer in his registration duties.

(2) Where the registration officer is also the returning officer or acting returning officer at any election or the counting officer at a referendum held by or under an Act of Parliament (and thereby has access to the full register without being supplied with a copy of it), this regulation also applies to—

(a)the registration officer acting in that other capacity;

(b)any deputy returning officer, deputy acting returning officer or deputy counting officer; and

(c)any person appointed to assist any person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) or who in the course of his employment is assigned to assist any such officer in his duties in respect of the election or referendum in question.

(3) No person to whom this regulation applies may—

(a)supply to any person a copy of the full register,

(b)disclose information contained in it (and not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than in accordance with an enactment, including these Regulations.

(4) Nothing in paragraph (3) above applies to the supply or disclosure by a person to whom this regulation applies to another such person in connection with his registration duties or for the purposes of an election or referendum.

[F655(5) In this regulation, references to a registration officer’s registration duties include references to the officer’s functions under sections 13BD and 13BE of the 1983 Act.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Restrictions on use of the full register supplied under section 3 of the Juries Act 1974 or information contained in itE+W

95.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)any officer designated by the Lord Chancellor under section 3(1) of the Juries Act 1974; and

(b)any other person to whom a copy of the full register has been supplied or to whom information contained in it has been disclosed for the purpose of summoning jurors.

(2) No person to whom this regulation applies may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of such information,

otherwise than for the purpose of summoning jurors.

Restriction on use of the full register, or information contained in it, supplied in accordance with enactments or obtained otherwiseE+W

96.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)any person to whom a copy of the full register has been supplied in pursuance of a relevant provision;

(b)any person to whom information contained in the full register has been disclosed in pursuance of a relevant provision;

(c)any person to whom a person referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) has supplied a copy of the full register or information contained in it for the purposes (express or implied) of a relevant provision; and

(d)any person who has obtained access to a copy of the full register or information contained in it by any other means.

(2) No person to whom this regulation applies may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

[F656other than for a permitted purpose construed in accordance with paragraph (2A).]

[F657(2A) The “permitted purpose”—

(a)where the copy was supplied or the information obtained in pursuance of a relevant provision, means the particular purpose for which the copy was supplied or the information disclosed to the person in question pursuant to the relevant provision;

(b)where the copy was not supplied or the information was not disclosed in pursuance of a relevant provision—

(i)in the case of a person to whom the copy of the full register was made available for inspection under supervision in accordance with regulations 43(1)(a), 97(2)(a) and (3), 97A(4)(a) and (b), 99(4)(a) and 109A(6)(a) and (b), does not include direct marketing within the meaning of [F658section 122(5) of the Data Protection Act 2018]; and

(ii)in any other case, means any purpose for which the person to whom this regulation applies could have obtained a copy of the register or the information contained in it pursuant to any enactment, including these Regulations.]

(3) In this regulation “relevant provision” means any enactment (except the Juries Act 1974 and these Regulations) under which a copy of the full register is to be supplied or information from that register disclosed for a particular purpose.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Supply on publication and specific restrictionsE+W

Supply of free copy of full register to the British Library and restrictions on useE+W

97.—(1) Each registration officer shall supply, free of charge and on publication F659...—

(a)[F660one printed copy and one data copy of] any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act, and

(b)[F661one printed copy of] any list of overseas electors,

to the British Library.

(2) [F662Subject to paragraph (5)] no person employed by the British Library may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register other than to another such person or to a person using the Library to inspect it under supervision;

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register) otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (3); or

(c)make use of any such information.

(3) [F663Subject to paragraph (5)] no information which is contained in the full register (that is not contained in the edited register) may be disclosed otherwise than by allowing a person using the British Library to inspect it under supervision.

[F664(3A) Where a copy of the full register is made available for inspection by providing the register on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, the British Library shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on, which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to—

(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or

(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic means.]

(4) A person who inspects the copy of the full register held by the British Library [F665, whether a printed copy or in data form,] may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars included in it,

otherwise than by means of hand-written notes.

[F666(5) A person employed by the British Library is not prohibited from supplying a copy of, or disclosing information contained in, a version of the full register where—

(a)more than ten years have expired since that version of the register was first published in accordance with regulation 43; and

(b)the supply or disclosure is for [F667Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].

(6) No person who obtains a copy of the full register or to whom information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register is disclosed under the circumstances described in paragraph (5) may—

(a)supply a copy of it,

(b)disclose any such information, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for [F667Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].]

Textual Amendments

[F668Supply of free copy of full register to the National Library of Wales and restrictions on useE+W

97A.—(1) Each registration officer in Wales shall supply, free of charge and on publication—

(a)one printed copy and one data copy of any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act, and

(b)one printed copy of any list of overseas electors,

to the National Library of Wales.

(2) Each registration officer in England shall supply, free of charge and on publication—

(a)one copy of any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act, and

(b)one printed copy of any list of overseas electors,

to the National Library of Wales.

(3) In paragraph (2)(a), the duty to supply is a duty to supply a data copy unless, prior to publication, the National Library of Wales has requested in writing a printed copy instead.

(4) Subject to paragraph (7), no person employed by the National Library of Wales may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register other than to another such person or to a person using the Library to inspect it under supervision;

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register) otherwise than by allowing a person using the National Library of Wales to inspect it under supervision; or

(c)make use of any such information.

(5) Where a copy of the full register is made available for inspection by providing the register on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, the National Library of Wales shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on, which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to—

(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or

(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic means.

(6) A person who inspects a copy of the full register, whether a printed copy or in data form, may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars included in it,

otherwise than by means of hand-written notes.

(7) A person employed by the National Library of Wales is not prohibited from supplying a copy of, or disclosing information contained in, a version of the full register where—

(a)more than ten years have expired since that version of the register was first published in accordance with regulation 43; and

(b)the supply or disclosure is for [F669Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].

(8) No person who obtains a copy of the full register or to whom information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register is disclosed under the circumstances described in paragraph (7) may—

(a)supply a copy of it,

(b)disclose any such information, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for [F669Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].

Textual Amendments

Supply of free copy of full register to the National Library of ScotlandE+W

97B.  Each registration officer in England and Wales shall supply, free of charge and on publication—

(a)one data copy of any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act; and

(b)one printed copy of any list of overseas electors,

to the National Library of Scotland“.]

Textual Amendments

Supply of free copy of full register for electoral purposes and restrictions on useE+W

98.—(1) Each registration officer shall supply, free of charge and on publication, one copy of—

(a)any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act, and

(b)any notice setting out an alteration to the register published under section 13A(2) [F670,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F671, (3B) or (3D)] of that Act,

to the persons listed in paragraph (2) below.

(2) Those persons are—

(a)the returning officer for a non-metropolitan county;

(b)the persons or officers who, under subsections (2B) and (2C) of section 35 of the 1983 Act are the returning officers at an election of members of the London Assembly and of the Mayor of London;

(c)the returning officer appointed pursuant to section 35(1) or (1A) (as the case may be) of the 1983 Act for elections to each parish or community council within the electoral area.

(3) In paragraph (1) the duty to supply one copy of the register is a duty to supply it in data form unless, prior to publication, the officer or person to whom it is to be supplied has requested in writing a printed copy instead.

(4) As soon as practicable after the relevant event, a registration officer who is not the acting returning officer for a constituency wholly or partly in his registration area shall supply free of charge to that officer as many printed copies of—

(a)the latest revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act, as the case may be,

(b)any notice setting out an alteration to that version of the register published under section 13A(2) [F672,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) of that Act, and

(c)the most recent list of overseas electors,

as the returning officer may reasonably require for the purposes of a parliamentary election.

(5) In paragraph (4) above—

(a)“relevant event” means—

(i)[F673the dissolution of Parliament F674...], or

(ii)the occurrence of a vacancy in the relevant constituency; and

(b)the duty to supply as many printed copies of the register, notices and list of overseas electors as the returning officer may reasonably require includes a duty to supply one copy of each in data form.

F675(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F675(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) Where a registration officer is not the returning officer for any election to the National Assembly for Wales in respect of any constituency or region wholly or partly within his registration area, he shall supply free of charge to that officer as many printed copies of the documents referred to in paragraph (4)(a) or (b) above, together with one copy of each in data form, as the returning officer may reasonably require for the purposes of such an election.

(9) No person to whom a copy of the register has been supplied under this regulation may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

other than for the purposes of an election.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C254Reg. 98 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Supply of free copy of full register etc to [F676Statistics Board] and restrictions on useE+W

99.—(1) Each registration officer shall supply, free of charge and on publication, one copy of—

(a)any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act,

(b)any notice setting out an alteration to the register published under section 13A(2) [F677,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F678, (3B) or (3D)] of that Act, and

(c)any list of overseas electors,

to the [F679Statistics Board] (in this regulation referred to as [F679“the Board”]).

(2) In paragraph (1) the duty to supply is a duty to supply in data form unless, prior to publication, [F680the Board] has requested in writing a printed copy instead.

(3) [F681Subject to paragraph (6)] no person employed by [F682the Board] may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register other than to another such person;

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register) otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (4) below; or

(c)make use of any such information other than for statistical purposes.

(4) [F683Subject to paragraph (6)] no information which is contained in the full register and not in the edited register may be disclosed otherwise than—

(a)by allowing a person using the premises of [F684the Board] to inspect it under supervision, and

(b)by publishing information about electors which does not include the name or address of any elector.

[F685(4A) Where a copy of the full register is made available by providing the register on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, [F686the Board] shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on, which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to—

(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or

(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic means.]

(5) A person who inspects the full register [F687, whether a printed copy or in data form,] may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars included in it,

otherwise than by means of hand-written notes.

[F688(6) A person employed by [F689the Board] is not prohibited from supplying a copy of, or disclosing information contained in, a version of the full register where—

(a)more than ten years have expired since that version of the register was first published in accordance with regulation 43; and

(b)the supply or disclosure is for [F690Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].

(7) No person who obtains a copy of the full register or to whom information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register is disclosed under the circumstances described in paragraph (6) may—

(a)supply a copy of it,

(b)disclose any such information, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for [F690Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].]

Textual Amendments

F690Words in reg. 99(6)(7) substituted (25.5.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (c. 12), s. 212(1), Sch. 19 para. 262 (with ss. 117, 209, 210); S.I. 2018/625, reg. 2(1)(g)

Supply of free copy of full register etc to Electoral Commission and restrictions on useE+W

100.—(1) Each registration officer shall supply, free of charge and on publication, one copy of—

(a)any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act,

(b)any notice setting out an alteration to the register published under section 13A(2) [F691,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F692, (3B) or (3D)] of that Act, and

(c)any list of overseas electors,

to the Electoral Commission (in this regulation referred to as “the Commission”).

(2) In paragraph (1) the duty to supply is a duty to supply in data form unless, prior to publication, the Commission has requested in writing a printed copy instead.

[F693(2A) Each registration officer shall, if the Commission has made a written request, supply the Commission free of charge with one copy of any revised version of the register created following the publication of a notice of alteration in the register under section 13A(2), 13AB(2) or 13B(3), (3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act.

(2B) In paragraph (2A) the duty to supply is a duty to supply in data form unless the Commission in the written request for the revised register has requested a paper copy instead.]

(3) Neither the Electoral Commissioners nor any person employed by the Commission may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register other than to an Electoral Commissioner or another such person;

(b)disclose any information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (5) below; or

(c)make use of any such information otherwise than in connection with their functions under, or by virtue of, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

(4) In paragraph (3) “Electoral Commissioner” includes a Deputy Electoral Commissioner and an Assistant Electoral Commissioner.

(5) The full register or any information contained in it and not in the edited register may not be disclosed otherwise than—

(a)where necessary to carry out the Commission’s duties in relation to the rules on permissible donors in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000; or

(b)by publishing information about electors which does not include the name or address of any elector.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Supply of free copy of full register etc to certain Commissions and restrictions on useE+W

101.—(1) Each registration officer in England shall supply, free of charge and on publication, one copy of each of the documents listed in paragraph (3) below to the Boundary Commission for England [F694and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England].

(2) Each registration officer in Wales shall supply, free of charge and on publication, one copy of each of the documents listed in paragraph (3) below to the Boundary Commission for Wales and the [F695Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales].

(3) Those documents are—

(a)any revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act;

(b)any notice setting out an alteration to the register published under section 13A(2) [F696,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F697, (3B) or (3D)] of that Act; and

(c)any list of overseas electors.

(4) In paragraphs (1) and (2) the duty to supply is a duty to supply in data form unless, prior to publication, the Commission to whom it is to be supplied has requested in writing a printed copy instead.

(5) In paragraph (6) below “a relevant person” means, in relation to each of the Commissions referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) above—

(a)a member of the Commission in question;

(b)a person appointed to assist the Commission in question to carry out its functions; and

(c)a person employed by the Commission in question.

(6) A relevant person may not—

(a)supply a copy of the full version of the register, other than to another relevant person;

(b)disclose any information contained in it and not contained in the edited register, otherwise than by publishing information about electors which does not include the name and address of any elector; or

(c)process or make use of any such information, other than in connection with their statutory functions.

Textual Amendments

Supply on request and specific restrictionsE+W

Supply of full register etc under regulations 103 to [F698109]: general provisionsE+W

102.—(1) The persons or organisations falling within regulations 103 to 109 below may request the registration officer to supply free of charge the relevant part (within the meaning of those regulations) of any of the following—

(a)a revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act;

(b)any notice setting out an alteration to the register published under section 13A(2) [F699,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F700, (3B) or (3D)] of that Act;

(c)a list of overseas electors.

(2) Such a request shall be made in writing and shall—

(a)specify the documents requested;

(b)subject to paragraph (5) below, state whether the request is made only in respect of the current documents or whether it includes a request for the supply of any subsequent document on publication for as long as the person making the request falls within the category of person entitled to receive such copies; and

(c)state whether a printed copy of any of the documents is requested instead of the version in data form.

(3) Unless a request has been made in advance of supply under paragraph (2)(c) above, the copy of a document supplied under this regulation shall be in data form.

(4) The registration officer shall supply the relevant part of the documents referred to in paragraph (1) above in accordance with a request that has been duly made.

(5) A person falling within regulation 108 below may not make the request for the supply of any subsequent document on publication.

(6) A person who obtains a copy of any document under paragraph (4) above may use it for any purpose for which that person would be entitled to obtain that document under these Regulations and any restrictions which apply under whichever of [F701 regulations 103 to 108 or 109 ] entitles that person to obtain that document for that purpose shall apply to such use.

Textual Amendments

Supply of full register etc to elected representatives for electoral purposes and restrictions on useE+W

103.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)the Member of Parliament for any constituency wholly or partly within the registration area;

F702(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)each Member of the National Assembly for Wales for any constituency or region wholly or partly within the registration area;

(d)each councillor for an electoral area falling within the registration area;

(e)the Mayor of London and the London members of the London Assembly, where the registration area falls wholly or partly within Greater London;

(f)the constituency members of the London Assembly, where the registration area falls wholly or partly within an Assembly constituency (within the meaning of the Greater London Authority Act 1999); and

(g)an elected mayor within the meaning of section 39(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 where the registration area falls wholly or partly within the area of the local authority for which the mayor is elected.

(2) For the purposes of regulation 102(1) above the relevant part of the documents listed in that provision—

(a)in the case of a Member of Parliament or of the National Assembly for Wales, is so much of them as relates to the whole or any part of the constituency or region which he represents as falls within the registration area;

F703(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)in the case of a councillor for an electoral area, is so much of them as relates to that area;

(d)in the case of the Mayor of London and a London member of the London Assembly, is so much of them as relates to the Greater London area;

(e)in the case of a constituency member of the London Assembly, is so much of them as relates to any part of the Assembly constituency which he represents as falls within the registration area;

(f)in the case of a mayor falling within paragraph (1)(g) above, is so much of them as relates to any part of the area of the local authority for which he is elected as falls within the registration area.

(3) No person to whom this regulation applies who has been supplied with a copy of the register may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for purposes in connection with the office by virtue of which he is entitled to the full register or for electoral purposes.

Textual Amendments

Supply of full register to holders of relevant elective offices and candidatesE+W

104.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)the holder of a relevant elective office within the meaning of paragraph 1(8) of Schedule 7 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000;

(b)a candidate for election at a Parliamentary, local government or Authority election.

(2) For the purposes of regulation 102(1) above, the relevant part of the documents listed in that provision is the whole of them.

(3) No person to whom this regulation applies who has been supplied with a copy of the register may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for the purpose set out in paragraph (4) below.

(4) That purpose is the purpose of complying with the controls on donations contained in Schedule 7 to, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 or Schedule 2A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, as the case may be.

Supply of full register etc to local constituency parties and restrictions on useE+W

105.—(1) This regulation applies to any person nominated to act for the purposes of this regulation for a particular constituency by the registered nominating officer, (within the meaning of section 24 of the Political Parties, Elections Referendums Act 2000) of a registered political party.

(2) Not more than one person for the same constituency may be nominated under paragraph (1) above in respect of the same registered political party and registration area.

(3) In the case of a person to whom this regulation applies, the relevant part of the documents listed in regulation 102(1) above is so much of them as relates to the whole or any part of the constituency in question as falls within the registration area.

(4) No person to whom this regulation applies who has been supplied with a copy of the register may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for electoral purposes or the purposes of electoral registration.

Supply of full register etc to registered political parties etc and restrictions on useE+W

106.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)a registered political party other than a minor party, within the meaning of section 160(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000;

(b)a recognised third party within the meaning of section 85(5) of that Act, other than a registered political party; and

(c)a permitted participant within the meaning of section 105(1) of that Act, other than a registered political party.

(2) In the case of the parties and participants to whom this regulation applies, the relevant part of the documents listed in regulation 102(1) above is the whole of them.

(3) No person employed by, or assisting (whether or not for reward) a party or participant to which this regulation applies and to which a copy of the register has been supplied may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for the purposes set out in paragraph (4) below.

(4) Those purposes are—

(a)in the case of a party falling within paragraph (1)(a) or (b),

(i)electoral purposes, and

(ii)the purpose of complying with the controls on donations under Part IV of or, as the case may be, Schedule 11 to, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000; and

(b)in the case of a permitted participant within the meaning of section 105(1) of that Act,

(i)purposes in connection with the campaign in respect of the referendum identified in the declaration made by the participant under section 106 of that Act, and

(ii)the purposes of complying with the controls on donations in Schedule 15 to that Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Supply of full register etc to certain councils and restrictions on useE+W

107.—[F704(1) Paragraphs (2) to (5) of this regulation apply to—

(a)the local authority by which the registration officer was appointed, and

(b)a local authority whose area falls wholly or partly within the registration area of that local authority, other than a parish council or community council (within the meaning of paragraph (6)).]

(2) For the purposes of regulation 102(1) above, the relevant part of the documents listed in that provision is [F705so much of them as relates to the area of the local authority concerned.]

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) below, no councillor or employee of the [F706local authority] may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person other than to another councillor of or employee of the same [F706local authority];

(b)disclose any information contained in it that is not included in the edited register; or

(c)make use of any such information.

(4) A councillor or employee of the [F707local authority] may supply a copy of the register, or disclose or make use of information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register—

(a)where necessary for the discharge of a statutory function of the [F707local authority] or any other local authority relating to security, law enforcement and crime prevention, or

[F708(aa)for the purposes of a poll under section 116 (local polls) of the Local Government Act 2003, or]

(b)for statistical purposes, in which case no information shall be disclosed which includes the name and address of any elector (whether that name or address appears in the edited register or only in the full register).

(5) In this regulation, “local authority” has the meaning given by [F709section 116 of the Local Government Act 2003].

(6) Paragraphs (7) and (8) of this regulation apply to parish councils, as established by sections 9(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and community councils as referred to in section 27(2) of that Act.

(7) For the purposes of regulation 102(1) above, the relevant part of the documents listed is so much of them as relates to the parish or community concerned.

(8) No parish or community councillor, person employed by or otherwise assisting (whether or not for reward) a parish or community council and to which a copy of the register has been supplied may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it that is not included in the edited register, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for the purpose of establising whether any person is entitled to attend and participate in a meeting of, or take any action on behalf of, the parish or community, as the case may be [F710or for the purposes of a poll under section 116 (local polls) of the Local Government Act 2003].

Textual Amendments

Supply of full register etc to certain candidates and restrictions on useE+W

108.—(1) This regulation applies to a candidate at—

(a)a Parliamentary F711... election,

(b)an election to the National Assembly of Wales,

(c)a local government election, and

(d)an election of a mayor under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000,

where any part of the area in respect of which the candidate stands for election includes the whole or part of a registration area.

(2) In this regulation “candidate” includes—

(a)a candidate at an election of a mayor under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000; and

(b)an individual candidate at F712... an election in an electoral region for the National Assembly for Wales.

(3) In the case of a registered political party which submits a list of candidates at F713... an election of the London members of the London Assembly or an election in an electoral region for the National Assembly for Wales, the entitlement otherwise conferred by this regulation on a candidate is conferred on the election agent of that party.

(4) For the purposes of regulation 102(1) above, the relevant part of the documents listed in that provision is so much of them as relate to the area for which the candidate is standing.

(5) No candidate or election agent to whom a copy of the register has been supplied by virtue of this regulation may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

other than for electoral purposes.

Textual Amendments

[F714Supply of full register etc to the security servicesE+W

108A—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)the Security Service;

(b)the Government Communications Headquarters;

(c)the Secret Intelligence Service.

(2) For the purposes of regulation 102(1) above the relevant part of the documents listed in that provision is the whole of them.]

Textual Amendments

Supply of full register etc to police forces [F715and other agencies,] and restrictions on useE+W

109.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a)any police force in Great Britain;

(b)the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Reserve);

[F716(c)the Serious Organised Crime Agency;]

(d)the National Crime Squad;

(e)[F717in relation to a register of local government electors in Wales,] the Police Information Technology Organisation; F718...

(f)any body of constables established under an Act of Parliament.

F719(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F719(h). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F719(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) For the purposes of regulation 102(1) above the relevant part of the documents listed in that provision is the whole of them.

(3) No person serving whether as a constable, officer or employee in any of the forces and organisations to which this regulation applies may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for the [F720purposes specified in paragraph (4)].

[F721(4) The purposes referred to in paragraph (3) are—

(a)F722...

(i)the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the criminal law (whether in England and Wales or elsewhere);

(ii)the vetting of a relevant person for the purpose of safeguarding national security;F723...

F723(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In this Regulation “relevant person” means—

(a)a constable or officer or prospective constable or officer of the force or organisation; or

(b)an employee of, or applicant for employment by, the force or organisation.]

Textual Amendments

F717Words in reg. 109(1)(e) inserted (16.1.2023) by The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1382), regs. 1(3), 38(10)

[F724Supply of full register to public libraries and local authority archives service, and restrictions on useE+W

109A.—(1) A public library or a local authority archives service may request the registration officer to supply free of charge the relevant part (within the meaning of paragraph (2)) of any of the following—

(a)a revised version of the register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act;

(b)any notice setting out an alteration to the register published under section 13A(2) [F725, 13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F726, (3B) or (3D)] of that Act;

(c)a list of overseas electors.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) the relevant part of the documents listed in that provision is so much of them as a public library or local authority archives service has been given responsibility for keeping by a library authority or local authority respectively.

(3) Such a request shall be made in writing and shall—

(a)specify the documents requested;

(b)state whether the request is made only in respect of the current documents or whether it includes a request for the supply of any subsequent document on publication; and

(c)state whether a printed copy of any of the documents is requested instead of the version in data form.

(4) Unless a request has been made in advance of supply under paragraph (3)(c), the copy of a document supplied under this regulation shall be in data form.

(5) The registration officer shall supply the relevant part of the documents referred to in paragraph (1) in accordance with a request that has been duly made.

(6) Subject to paragraph (9), no person employed by the public library or the local authority archives service may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register other than to another such person or to a person using the library or the archives service to inspect it under supervision;

(b)disclose any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register) otherwise than by allowing a person using the library or the archives service to inspect it under supervision; or

(c)make use of any such information.

(7) Where a copy of the full register is made available for inspection in accordance with paragraph (6)(a) or (b) by providing the register on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, the library or the archives service shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on, which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to—

(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or

(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic means.

(8) A person who inspects a copy of the full register, whether a printed copy or in data form, may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars in it,

otherwise than by means of hand-written notes.

(9) The public library or local authority archives service is not prohibited from supplying a copy of, or disclosing information contained in, a version of the full register where—

(a)more than ten years have expired since that version of the register was first published in accordance with regulation 43; and

(b)the supply or disclosure is for [F727Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].

(10) No person who obtains a copy of the full register or to whom information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register is disclosed under the circumstances described in paragraph (9) may—

(a)supply a copy of it,

(b)disclose such information, or

(c)make use of any such information,

otherwise than for [F727Article 89 GDPR purposes in accordance with the relevant requirement].

(11) In this regulation—

“library authority” has the same meaning as in section 206 of the Local Government Act 1972 and section 4 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964;

“local authority archives service” means an archives service established by—

(a)

a county council,

(b)

a county borough council,

(c)

a district council,

(d)

a London Borough council,

(e)

the Common Council of the City of London, or

(f)

the Council of the Isles of Scilly,

in exercise of its functions under the Local Government (Records) Act 1962;

“public library” means a library maintained by a library authority.]

Textual Amendments

Sale of edited and full registers and specified restrictionsE+W

Sale of edited registerE+W

110.—(1) The registration officer shall supply a copy of the edited register to any person on payment of a fee calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) below.

(2) In the case of the register—

(a)in data form, the fee shall be at the rate of £20 plus £1.50 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it; and

(b)in printed form, the fee shall be at the rate of £10 plus £5 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it.

Sale of full register etc: restrictions on supply, charges, etcE+W

111.—(1) The registration officer may not sell a copy of—

(a)the full register,

(b)any notice under section 13A(2) [F728,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) of the 1983 Act altering the register (“a relevant notice”), or

(c)the list of overseas electors,

except to a person who is entitled under regulation 113 or 114 below to purchase them.

(2) The fee for such sale is to be calculated in accordance with paragraphs (3) to (6) below.

(3) Where a person purchases the full register together with any relevant notices which are published at that time altering the register, the register and the notices shall be treated as the same document for the purposes of the calculations set out in paragraph (5) below; and any entry in the register which is deleted by a notice shall accordingly be ignored for the purposes of the calculation.

(4) Where a person purchases a relevant notice separately from the full register, the calculations set out in paragraph (5) below shall be applied to that notice.

(5) Subject to paragraph (3) above, in the case of the register or a relevant notice—

(a)in data form, the fee shall be at the rate of £20 plus £1.50 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it; and

(b)in printed form, the fee shall be at the rate of £10 plus £5 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) in it.

(6) In the case of the list of overseas electors—

(a)in data form, the fee shall be at the rate of £20 plus £1.50 for each 100 entries (or remaining part of 100 entries) in it; and

(b)in printed form, the fee shall be at the rate of £10 plus £5 for each 100 entries (or remaining part of 100 entries) in it.

(7) In any copy of the full register [F729or any copy of a notice under section 13A(2) [F730,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F731, (3B) or (3D)] of the 1983 Act] which is sold in accordance with regulations 112 to 114 below, the letter “Z” shall be placed against the [F732entry] of any person whose [F732entry] is not included in the edited version of the register.

Textual Amendments

Sale of full register etc: general provisionsE+W

112.—(1) This regulation applies in respect of the supply on payment of a fee of copies of the full register, including any notice published under section 13A(2) [F733,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) of the 1983 Act altering that register, in accordance with regulations 113 and 114 below.

(2) The registration officer shall not supply a printed copy of the full register under those regulations if to do so would result in his having insufficient copies of it for the purposes of any requirement made by or under any enactment.

(3) In those regulations, “the relevant restrictions” means the restrictions set out in paragraphs (4) and (5) below.

(4) No person in an organisation to which a copy of the register has been supplied under regulations 113 or 114 below may—

(a)supply a copy of the full register to any person,

(b)disclose any information contained in it (and not contained in the edited register), or

(c)make use of any such information,

other than for the purpose set out in the regulation by virtue of which the full register has been supplied.

(5) The restrictions in paragraph (4) above apply to a person to whom a copy of the full register has been supplied in accordance with regulations 113 and 114 below or to whom information contained in it has been so disclosed as it applies to a person in the organisation to which the copy of the full register was supplied under the regulation in question.

(6) In regulations 113 and 114 below, “a relevant document” means—

(a)the full register published under section 13(1) or (3) of the 1983 Act;

(b)any notice published under section 13A(2) [F734,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F735, (3B) or (3D)] of that Act amending it; and

(c)the list of overseas electors.

(7) A request for a copy of the full register, or of any notice published under section 13A(2) [F736,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) of the 1983 Act altering that register, as the case may be, must be made in writing and must—

(a)specify the documents required;

(b)state whether the request is made only in respect of the current documents or whether it includes a request for the supply of any subsequent documents on publication for as long as the person making the request pays for them; and

(c)state whether a printed copy of any document is requested instead of the version in data form.

Textual Amendments

Sale of full register to government departments [F737and other bodies] E+W

113.—(1) Subject to regulation 112(2) above, the registration officer shall supply on request and on payment of a fee calculated in accordance with regulation 111 above a copy of a relevant document [F738to—

(a)a government department;

(b)the Environment Agency;

(c)the [F739Financial Conduct Authority;]

[F740(ca)the Prudential Regulation Authority; or]

(d)a body not falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to [F741(ca)] which carries out the vetting of any person for the purpose of safeguarding national security,

other than [F742a department to which regulation 108A applies or ] a force or organisation to which regulation 109(1) applies.]

[F743(2) For the purposes of regulation 112(3), the relevant restrictions apply—

(a)in the case of a body falling within sub-paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (1), except for the purpose of—

(i)the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the criminal law (whether in England and Wales or elsewhere);

(ii)the vetting of employees and applicants for employment where such vetting is required pursuant to any enactment;

(iii)the vetting of any person where such vetting is for the purpose of safeguarding national security; or

(iv)supply and disclosure in accordance with paragraphs (3) to (6); and

(b)in the case of a body falling within sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph (1), except for the purpose of the vetting of any person where such vetting is for the purpose of safeguarding national security.]

(3) A government department [F744, other than one mentioned in [F745regulation 108A]] may supply (whether or not on payment) a copy of the full register to a person (“an authorised person”), who may only disclose information contained in it in accordance with paragraph (5) below.

(4) In this regulation any reference to an authorised person includes a reference to his employees.

(5) Information contained in the full register may not be disclosed by an authorised person except to any person falling within regulations 103 to 108 above; and for use for the purposes for which such a person could obtain a register under the regulation concerned.

(6) The restrictions in regulations 103 to 108 respectively apply to a person to whom information contained in the full register is disclosed under paragraph (5) as it applies to a person to whom a copy of the register is applied under those regulations.

Textual Amendments

Sale of full register to credit reference agenciesE+W

114.—(1) Subject to regulation 112(2) above, the registration officer shall supply on request and on payment of a fee calculated in accordance with regulation 111 above copies of a relevant document to [F746a person who has permission under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to furnish persons with information relevant to the financial standing of other persons] and which is carrying on the business of providing credit reference services.

(2) For the purposes of regulation 112(3) above, the relevant restrictions apply except for the purposes set out in paragraph (3) below.

(3) Those purposes are—

(a)vetting applications for credit or applications that can result in the giving of credit or the giving of any guarantee, indemnity or assurance in relation to the giving of credit;

(b)meeting any obligations contained in [F747the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017] F748... [F749or any rules made by the Financial Conduct Authority under section 137A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 which relate to the prevention and detection of money laundering in connection with the carrying on of regulated activities by authorised persons]; and

(c)statistical analysis of credit risk assessment in a case where no person whose details are included in the full register is referred to by name or necessary implication.

(4) The registration officer may require a credit reference agency to provide such evidence that it is carrying on the business of providing credit reference services as he shall reasonably require.

(5) In this regulation—

  • “application for credit” includes an application to refinance or reschedule an existing credit agreement;

  • “credit” includes a cash loan and any other form of financial accommodation; and

  • “credit reference services” means the furnishing of persons with information relevant to the financial standing of individuals, which is information collected by the person furnishing it for the purpose of so furnishing it.

[F750(6) Paragraph (1) must be read with—

(a)section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000,

(b)any relevant order under that section, and

(c)Schedule 2 to that Act.]

Textual Amendments

OffencesE+W

[F751Offences in respect of contravention of Part 3, Part 4 and Part 6 regulationsE+W

115.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence—

(a)if he contravenes any of the provisions specified in paragraph (2), or

(b)if he is an appropriate supervisor of a person (P) who fails to comply with any of those provisions and he failed to take appropriate steps.

(2) Those provisions are regulations 45C(4), 45D(4), F752... 45F(3), 61(3), 61(14), 92(9), 94(3), 95(2), 96(2), 97(2), (4) and (6), 97A(4), (6) and (8), 98(9), 99(3), (5) and (7), 100(3) and (5), 101(6), 103(3), 104(3), 105(4), 106(3), 107(3) and (8), 108(5), 109(3), 109A(6), (8) and (10), 112(4) and (5) and 113(5) and (6).

(3) P is not guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) if—

(a)he has an appropriate supervisor, and

(b)he has complied with all the requirements imposed on him by his appropriate supervisor.

(4) A person who is not P or an appropriate supervisor is not guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) if he takes all reasonable steps to ensure that he complies with the provisions specified in paragraph (2).

(5) In paragraphs (1)(b) and (3)—

(a)an appropriate supervisor is a person who is a director of a company or concerned in the management of an organisation in which P is employed or under whose direction or control P is;

(b)appropriate steps are such steps as it was reasonable for the appropriate supervisor to take to secure the operation of procedures designed to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, the occurrence of a failure to comply with the provisions in paragraph (2).

(6) A person guilty of an offence as mentioned in paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.]]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F753PART 7E+WACCESS TO MARKED REGISTERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION AFTER AN ELECTION

Textual Amendments

Interpretation of Part 7E+W

116.—(1) In this Part references to the “marked register or lists” means any part of the marked copies of—

(a)the full register;

[F754(aa)the notices amending the full register issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act;]

(b)the postal voters list;

(c)the list of proxies; and

(d)the proxy postal voters list,

forwarded to the relevant registration officer under regulation 91 above or [F755rule 55(1)(e)] of the elections rules.

(2) For the purposes of this Part any period of days shall be calculated in accordance with regulation 56.

(3) Paragraphs (2) and (3), and the condition in paragraph (9), of regulation 92 shall be taken to apply to the supply and processing of information supplied under this Part as they apply to the supply and processing of the full register under Part 6 of these Regulations.

(4) Subject to any direction by the Secretary of State under section 52(1) of the 1983 Act, any duty on a relevant registration officer to supply records or lists or make them available for inspection under this Part imposes only a duty to provide that information in the form in which he holds it.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Supply of marked registers and lists after an electionE+W

117.—(1) Any person entitled to be supplied in accordance with regulation 100, 103, 105, 106, 108, 109 or 113 above, with copies of the full register at a particular parliamentary or local government election, is also a person entitled, subject to this regulation and to regulation 119, to request that a relevant registration officer supply copies of the relevant part (within the meaning of those regulations) of the marked register or lists he is required to keep.

(2) A person whose entitlement to request copies of the marked register or lists under paragraph (1) arises from being in a category of persons covered by regulation 103, 105, 106 or 108 before a particular election, shall be entitled to request those documents regardless of whether he remains in a entitled category after that election for which the marked register or list was prepared.

(3) A request under paragraph (1) shall be made in writing and shall—

(a)specify which of the marked register or lists (or the relevant part of the register or lists) are requested;

(b)state whether a printed copy of the records or lists is requested or a copy in data form,

(c)state the purposes for which the marked register or lists will be used and why the supply or purchase of a copy of the full register or unmarked lists would not be sufficient to achieve that purpose.

(4) The relevant registration officer shall supply a copy of the relevant part of the marked register or lists where a request is duly made, and—

(a)he is satisfied that the requestor needs to see the marks on the marked register or lists in order to achieve the purpose for which it is requested, and

(b)he has received payment of a fee calculated in accordance with regulation 120 below.

(5) If the relevant registration officer is not satisfied in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) he may treat the request for a marked register or list as a request for information in unmarked lists under regulation 61 or for the published copy of the full register in accordance with regulation 102, or both.

(6) A person who obtains a copy of any part of a marked register or list under this regulation may use it only for the permitted purposes specified in paragraph (2) of regulation 119, and any conditions—

(a)specified in that paragraph, or

(b)which would apply to the use of the full register under whichever of regulations 100, 103, 105, 106, 108, 109 or 113 entitled that person to obtain that document,

shall apply to such use.

(7) The conditions [F756in regulations 100(3), 103(3), 105(4), 106(3), 108(5) and 109(3) shall] apply to a person to whom [F756a marked register or list], or any information contained in it (that is not contained in the edited register) has been supplied or disclosed under those paragraphs as they apply to the person to whom those regulations apply.

(8) Any person who has obtained or is entitled to obtain a copy of the marked register or lists under this regulation may—

(a)supply a copy of the marked register or lists to a processor for the purpose of processing the information contained therein, or

(b)procure that a processor processes and supplies to them any copy of the information in the marked register or lists which the processor has obtained under this regulation,

for use in respect of the purposes for which that person is entitled to obtain such copy or information (as the case may be).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Inspection of documents open to public inspectionE+W

118.—(1) Any person is entitled to request that the relevant registration officer make available for inspection a copy of any of the following documents (referred to in this regulation and in regulation 119 as “the documents open to public inspection”)—

(a)the marked register or lists;

(b)such other documents relating to an election as the relevant registration officer is required by or under any enactment to retain for any period except—

(i)ballot papers

(ii)completed corresponding number lists;

(iii)certificates as to employment on the day of the election;

[F757(iv)the lists required to be compiled under regulation 87(4) and (6), and any extracts produced from those lists;

(v)return of postal voting documents forms.]

(2) A request under paragraph (1) shall be made in writing and shall specify—

(a)which documents are requested;

(b)the purposes for which the information in any document will be used,

(c)where the request is to inspect the marked register or lists, any reason why inspecting the full register or unmarked lists would not be sufficient to achieve that purpose,

(d)who will inspect the documents,

(e)the date on which they wish to inspect the documents, and

(f)whether they would prefer to inspect the documents in a printed or data form.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the relevant registration officer shall make the documents open to public inspection available for inspection under supervision not later than 10 days after the date of receipt of a request that has been duly made.

(4) Where a request has been made to inspect copies of the marked register or lists under paragraph (2) and the relevant registration officer is not satisfied that the purposes of the requestor cannot be met by inspection of the full register, he shall inform the requestor—

(a)of his decision under this paragraph, and

(b)provide the requestor with information concerning the availability of the published full register for inspection in accordance with regulation 43.

(5) A person who obtains a copy of or information in any document open to public inspection under this regulation may use it only for the permitted purposes specified in regulation 119, and any conditions—

(a)specified in that regulation,

(b)specified in paragraph (7) below, or

(c)which would apply to the use of the full register under regulation 109 where such a person has obtained a copy of that document under paragraph (8),

shall apply to such use.

(6) Where inspection takes place by providing the records or lists on a computer screen or otherwise in data form, the relevant registration officer shall ensure that the manner in, and equipment on which that copy is provided do not permit any person consulting that copy to—

(a)search it by electronic means by reference to the name of any person; or

(b)copy or transmit any part of that copy by electronic, or any other means.

(7) Subject to paragraph (8) a person who inspects a copy of a document open to public inspection, whether a printed copy or in data form, may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars in it,

except that a person who inspects a copy of the marked register or lists may make hand written notes.

[F758(8) The relevant registration officer shall, on request, supply free of charge copies of any documents open to public inspection—

(a)to each of the departments mentioned in regulation 108A;

(b)to a person who has inspected those documents and who is entitled to be supplied with a copy of the marked register or lists by virtue of being a person to whom regulation 109 applies.]

Textual Amendments

F757Reg. 118(1)(b)(iv)(v) substituted for reg. 118(1)(b)(iv) (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(12)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C270Reg. 118 applied (with modifications) (E.) (9.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums)(England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/323), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6

Conditions on the use, supply and disclosure of documents open to public inspectionE+W

119.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) the restrictions on the supply, disclosure and use of information in regulations 94 and 96 shall apply to the documents open to public inspection as they apply to the full register.

(2) Where a person—

(a)obtains copies of the information in the marked register or lists in accordance with regulation 117(1), or

(b)a person inspects information in accordance with regulation 118(1),

the permitted purpose shall mean either—

[F759(i)Article 89 GDPR purposes;] or

(ii)electoral purposes.

(3) Where a copy of any information was supplied in the circumstances to which [F760regulation 118(8)(b)] applies, the permitted purpose means the purposes set out in regulation 109(4).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F761Calculating the fee for supply of marked registers or listsE+W

120.—(1) The fee to be paid in accordance with regulation 117(4)(b) by a person making a request for a copy of the whole or of any part of the marked register or lists is set out in paragraph (2).

(2) The fee shall be the sum of £10, plus for a copy—

(a)in printed form, £2 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) covered by the request; and

(b)in data form, £1 for each 1,000 entries (or remaining part of 1,000 entries) covered by the request.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation, a request for a copy of the whole or the same part of the marked register or lists in both a printed and data form may be treated as two separate requests.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F762PART 8E+WAccess to documents after an election to the National Assembly for Wales

Textual Amendments

Interpretation of Part 8E+W

121.  In this Part—

(1) “the 2007 Order” means the National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007(3);

“Assembly election” means an election to the National Assembly for Wales under Part 1 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 or under Part 1 of the Government of Wales Act 2006(4);

“the Assembly list of proxies” means the list kept under article 10(1) and (3) of the 2007 Order;

“the Assembly postal voters list” means the list kept under article 10(1) and (2) of the 2007 Order;

“the Assembly proxy postal voters list” means the list kept under article 12(8) of the 2007 Order;

“the National Assembly for Wales” means the National Assembly for Wales constituted by the Government of Wales Act 2006; and

“relevant Assembly election documents” means such documents relating to an Assembly election as the relevant registration officer is required to retain by rule 69(1) of Schedule 5 to the 2007 Order.

(2) “The marked Assembly register or lists” means any part of the marked copies of—

(a)the full register;

[F763(aa)the notices amending the full register issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act;]

(b)the Assembly postal voters list;

(c)the Assembly list of proxies; and

(d)the Assembly proxy postal voters list,

forwarded to the relevant registration officer under paragraph 31 of Schedule 3 or rules 67(1)(h) and (2)(f) of Schedule 5 to the 2007 Order.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

122.  Subject to the modifications specified in regulations 123 to 126, Part 7 of these Regulations shall apply in respect of the marked Assembly register or lists and the other relevant Assembly election documents as it applies in respect of the marked register or lists and other documents open to inspection under that Part.

123.  References in Part 7 to “the marked register or lists” shall be construed as references to the marked Assembly register or lists, and any like terms shall be similarly construed.

124.  Regulation 116 shall apply as if—

(a)paragraph (1) were omitted;

(b)in paragraph (2) the reference to regulation 56 were a reference to paragraph 7 of Schedule 1 to the 2007 Order; and

(c)in paragraph (4), the reference to a direction by the Secretary of State under section 52(1) of the 1983 Act included a reference to a direction by the Secretary of State under article 28(1) of the 2007 Order.

125.  Regulation 117 shall apply as if—

(a)references to “a particular parliamentary or local government election” and to “a particular election” include reference to a particular Assembly election; and

(b)the reference in paragraph (5) to regulation 61 were a reference to paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 to the 2007 Order.

126.  Regulations 118 and 119 shall apply as if references to “documents open to public inspection” were a reference to—

(a)the Assembly marked register or lists; and

(b)the other relevant Assembly election documents except—

(i)ballot papers;

(ii)completed corresponding number lists;

(iii)certificates as to employment on the day of the election;

[F764(iv)the list required to be compiled under paragraph 27(4) of the 2007 Order,]

and any like terms shall be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

Mike O'Brien

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Home Office

Yn ôl i’r brig

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Mae deddfwriaeth ar gael mewn fersiynau gwahanol:

Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (diwygiedig):Y fersiwn ddiweddaraf sydd ar gael o’r ddeddfwriaeth yn cynnwys newidiadau a wnaed gan ddeddfwriaeth ddilynol ac wedi eu gweithredu gan ein tîm golygyddol. Gellir gweld y newidiadau nad ydym wedi eu gweithredu i’r testun eto yn yr ardal ‘Newidiadau i Ddeddfwriaeth’.

Gwreiddiol (Fel y’i Deddfwyd neu y’i Gwnaed): Mae'r wreiddiol fersiwn y ddeddfwriaeth fel ag yr oedd pan gafodd ei deddfu neu eu gwneud. Ni wnaed unrhyw newidiadau i’r testun.

Pwynt Penodol mewn Amser: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

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Gweler y wybodaeth ychwanegol ochr yn ochr â’r cynnwys

Rhychwant ddaearyddol: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Dangos Llinell Amser Newidiadau: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

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Dewisiadau Agor

Dewisiadau gwahanol i agor deddfwriaeth er mwyn gweld rhagor o gynnwys ar y sgrin ar yr un pryd

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Rhagor o Adnoddau

Gallwch wneud defnydd o ddogfennau atodol hanfodol a gwybodaeth ar gyfer yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth o’r tab hwn. Yn ddibynnol ar yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth sydd i’w gweld, gallai hyn gynnwys:

  • y PDF print gwreiddiol y fel deddfwyd fersiwn a ddefnyddiwyd am y copi print
  • rhestr o newidiadau a wnaed gan a/neu yn effeithio ar yr eitem hon o ddeddfwriaeth
  • manylion rhoi grym a newid cyffredinol
  • pob fformat o’r holl ddogfennau cysylltiedig
  • slipiau cywiro
  • dolenni i ddeddfwriaeth gysylltiedig ac adnoddau gwybodaeth eraill
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Llinell Amser Newidiadau

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

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Rhagor o Adnoddau

Defnyddiwch y ddewislen hon i agor dogfennau hanfodol sy’n cyd-fynd â’r ddeddfwriaeth a gwybodaeth am yr eitem hon o ddeddfwriaeth. Gan ddibynnu ar yr eitem o ddeddfwriaeth sy’n cael ei gweld gall hyn gynnwys:

  • y PDF print gwreiddiol y fel gwnaed fersiwn a ddefnyddiwyd am y copi print
  • slipiau cywiro

liciwch ‘Gweld Mwy’ neu ddewis ‘Rhagor o Adnoddau’ am wybodaeth ychwanegol gan gynnwys

  • rhestr o newidiadau a wnaed gan a/neu yn effeithio ar yr eitem hon o ddeddfwriaeth
  • manylion rhoi grym a newid cyffredinol
  • pob fformat o’r holl ddogfennau cysylltiedig
  • dolenni i ddeddfwriaeth gysylltiedig ac adnoddau gwybodaeth eraill

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: