1.—(1) The proceedings at the election must be conducted in accordance with the following timetable.
| Proceedings | Time |
|---|---|
| Publication of notice of election | Not later than the twenty-fifth day before the day of election |
| Delivery of nomination papers | Not later than 4 p.m. on the nineteenth day before the day of election |
| Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature | Not later than 4 p.m. on the nineteenth day before the day f election |
| Publication of statement as to persons nominated | Not later than 4 p.m. on the eighteenth day before the day of election |
Notice of uncontested election Notice of poll in contested election | Not later than the sixth day before the day of election |
| Polling | Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on the day of election |
(2) Paragraph (3) applies where—
(a)a nomination paper is sent electronically or submitted online in accordance with arrangements set out in the notice of election (see rule 3), or
(b)a notice of withdrawal of candidature under rule 12 is sent electronically.
(3) For the purpose of determining whether the paper or notice has been delivered in accordance with the timetable in paragraph (1), the paper or notice is to be treated as having been delivered at the time when its delivery is recorded on the computer system in use by the returning officer for receiving the paper or notice.
(4) In this rule, “the day of election” means the day specified in the notice of election as the day on which a poll would take place in the event of a contest.
2.—(1) An excluded day is to be disregarded in calculating any period set out in the second column of the timetable in rule 1.
(2) No proceedings under these rules up to the close of the poll may take place on an excluded day.
(3) The returning officer is not required to proceed with the counting of votes on an excluded day.