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

Electronic signatures and related certificates E+W

6.—(1) A requirement in these Regulations for an [F1 application, 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.

[F2 (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

F1 Words in reg. 6(1) substituted (10.6.2014) by The Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Description of Electoral Registers and Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3198), regs. 1(5)(b), 6

F2 Reg. 6(4) inserted (31.10.2023) by The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1147), regs. 1(2), 3(4)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Regs. 3-6 applied (with modifications) (23.7.2004) by The Regional Assembly and Local Government Referendums Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/1962), arts. 1(1), 6(1), Sch. 2 Pt. 3

C2 Reg. 6 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

C3 Reg. 6 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)

C4 Reg. 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

C5 Reg. 6 applied (26.2.2016) by The European Union Referendum (Conduct) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/219), reg. 1, Sch. 3 para. 2(c)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 6 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)