The Electoral Registration Data Schemes Order 2012

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.  This Order may be cited as the Electoral Registration Data Schemes Order 2012 and comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.

2.  In this Order—

“the Act” means the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009;

“area” means—

(a)

in England, a district or London borough;

(b)

in Wales, a county or county borough;

(c)

in Scotland, a local government area;

“the Secretary of State” means the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Authorisation of data schemes

3.  Subject to article 4, the Secretary of State may provide to the registration officer for an area mentioned in Part 1 of the Schedule information described in Part 2 of the Schedule which relates to that area.

4.—(1) The Secretary of State may provide information to a registration officer under article 3 only if—

(a) the information is provided before 1st April 2013;

(b) the information is provided for the purpose mentioned in section 35(2) of the Act; and

(c) the Secretary of State and the registration officer have agreed in writing, in relation to the scheme, requirements as to the processing of information, including requirements as to the transfer, storage, destruction and security of information.

(2) An agreement under paragraph (1)(c) must make provision for the consequences of a failure to comply with such requirements, and those consequences may include the suspension or termination of the provision of information by the Secretary of State.

Evaluation date

5.  For the purpose of section 36(3) of the Act, the evaluation date for each scheme is 30th June 2013.

Revocation

6.  The Electoral Registration Data Schemes Order 2011(1) is revoked.

Signed by authority of the Lord President of the Council

Mark Harper

Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform

Cabinet Office

17th July 2012