The Representation of the People (Proxy Vote Applications) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021

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

3.—(1) The Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 52 (additional requirements for applications for the appointment of a proxy)—

(a) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(b) before that paragraph insert—

“(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) of Schedule 4.”;

(c) in that paragraph, omit “for the appointment of a proxy under paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 4”;

(d) after that paragraph insert—

“(2) An application under paragraph 6(7) 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, which is made in the circumstances set out in regulation 56(2B), must state that it is so made.”.

(3) In regulation 55 (additional requirements for applications for a proxy vote for a particular election), after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3ZA) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), an application on grounds of the applicant’s disability does not include an application on grounds relating to coronavirus within the meaning of regulation 56(3AA)(a), (b) or (c).”.

(4) In regulation 56 (closing date for applications)—

(a) in paragraph (2), before “An application” insert “Subject to paragraph (2A),”;

(b) after paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) An application under paragraph 6(7) of Schedule 4 which is made in the circumstances set out in paragraph (2B) shall be disregarded for the purposes of a particular parliamentary election, or a particular local government election in England, if it is received by the registration officer after 5 pm on the day of the poll at that election.

(2B) The circumstances are that—

(a) the applicant is, at the time the application is made, included in the register kept under paragraph 3 of Schedule 4, and

(b) the person already appointed as the applicant’s proxy at the time the application is made (“P”) considers that they are, or are likely to be, unable to attend the allotted polling station on the day of the poll referred to in paragraph (2A)—

(i) for reasons relating to compliance by P with a legal requirement to self-isolate;

(ii) because P has been notified that they are clinically extremely vulnerable in respect of coronavirus or (as the case may be) at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus, or because attendance would otherwise be contrary to coronavirus advice given to P;

(iii) because, due to P’s particular circumstances, attendance would give rise to a risk of transmission of coronavirus by P to another person.”;

(c) in paragraph (3A), after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aza) in respect of an election other than a local government election in Wales, on grounds relating to coronavirus; or”;

(d) after paragraph (3A) insert—

“(3AA) For the purposes of paragraph (3A)(aza) an application is made on grounds relating to coronavirus if it is made—

(a) because the applicant (“A”) considers that attendance at the allotted polling station would not be permitted due to A’s need to comply with a legal requirement to self-isolate;

(b) because A has been notified that they are clinically extremely vulnerable in respect of coronavirus or (as the case may be) at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus, or because A considers that attendance at the allotted polling station would otherwise be contrary to coronavirus advice given to A;

(c) because A considers that, due to A’s particular circumstances, attendance at the allotted polling station would give rise to a risk of transmission of coronavirus by A to another person;

(d) where A already has a person appointed as proxy under paragraph 6(8) of Schedule 4 (“P”), on the ground that P considers that they are, or are likely to be, unable to attend the allotted polling station because any of sub-paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) applies (reading references in those sub-paragraphs to A as references to P).

(3AB) In this regulation—

“coronavirus” means severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2);

“coronavirus advice” means advice relating to coronavirus given by a registered medical practitioner or a registered nurse.”.