The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make changes to the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1024) (the “2007 Regulations”).

Regulation 2 revokes the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2059) and the amendments made to the 2007 Regulations by those Regulations.

Regulations 5 and 7 amend Schedules 1 (“the Mayoral Election Rules”) and 3 (“the Mayoral Election (Combination of Polls) Rules”) to the 2007 Regulations. Regulations 5(2) and 7(2) amend the Mayoral Elections Rules and the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules to change the deadline for candidates to withdraw at local mayoral elections, including when combined with another poll. Regulations 5(3) and 7(3) correct a minor error in rule 5(3) of the Mayoral Elections Rules and in rule 5(3) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules, by replacing a reference to “returning officer” with “registration officer”.

Regulations 5(5) and (6) and 7(6) and (7) make changes to rules 30 and 32 of the Mayoral Elections Rules and the Mayoral Election (Combination of Polls) Rules to provide that certain references to police constables in those rules include references to community support officers. This ensures that the changes made by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c.6) to the parliamentary elections rules in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) are reflected for mayoral elections.

Regulations 5(7) and (8) and 7(8) and (9)(b) make changes to the Mayoral Elections Rules and the Mayoral Election (Combination of Polls) Rules to reflect the changes made to parliamentary elections rules by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (Commencement No.4 and Consequential Provision) Order 2013 to allow voters queuing at a polling station at the close of the poll (10pm on polling day) to be issued with ballot papers and vote, or to return postal ballot papers and voting statements.

Regulations 5(4) and (10) and 7(4) and (11) make amendments to rule 9 (consent to nomination) and the corresponding form (Form of Candidate’s Consent to Nomination) for Mayoral Elections Rules and the Mayoral Election (Combination of Polls) Rules to update statutory references to legislation governing disqualification.

Regulations 5(11) and 7(12) and Schedules 1 and 2 replace certain forms in the Mayoral Elections Rules and the Mayoral Election (Combination of Polls) Rules.

Regulation 3 updates the interpretation regulation in the 2007 Regulations. Regulations 4, 5(9), 7(9)(a) and (10) and 8, make consequential changes to the 2007 Regulations, updating statutory references to reflect modifications made to the Local Government Act 2000 by the Localism Act 2011. Regulation 6(2) and (3), make amendments to Schedule 2 to the 2007 Regulations, to update statutory references. Regulation 6(3)(c) modifies the application of section 199B (translation etc. of certain documents) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 to mayoral elections, altering the words that will appear on an enlarged version of the mayoral ballot paper displayed at polling stations. Regulation 7(5) modifies rule 28(10) of the Mayoral Election (Combination of Polls) Rules which sets out guidance for voters in combined polls.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument because no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen other than that set out in the impact assessments which relate to Part 2 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.