F1SI 1985/454
1(1)The proceedings at an election shall be conducted in accordance with whichever of the timetables in paragraph (2) or (3) applies for that election.
(2)The proceedings at an election in a local election year (within the meaning of section 11(1), not being an election to fill a casual vacancy, shall be conducted in accordance with the following timetable—
| Proceeding | Time |
|---|---|
| Publication of notice of election. | Not later than the 25th day before election day. |
| Delivery of nomination papers. | [F2Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any day after the day of publication of the notice of election but no later than 1 p.m. on the 16th day before election day.] |
| Delivery of notices of withdrawal of candidature. | Within the time for the delivery of nomination papers at the election. |
| The making of objections to nomination papers. | During the hours allowed for delivery of nomination papers and on the 16th day before election day during the hour following. |
| Publication of statement of persons nominated. | [F3(a)If no objections to nomination papers are made, 6 p.m. on the 16th day before election day (or as soon as practicable thereafter). (b)If any such objections are made, not before they are disposed of but not later than 24 hours after the last time for delivery of nomination papers.] |
| Polling. | Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on election day. |
(3)The proceedings at an election to fill a casual vacancy shall be conducted in accordance with the following timetable—
| Proceeding | Time |
|---|---|
| Publication of notice of election. | Within 21 days from the date on which a casual vacancy is deemed to have occurred under section 11(5). |
| Delivery of nomination papers. | [F4Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any day after the day of publication of the notice of election but not later than 1 p.m. on the 7th day after the publication of the notice of election.] |
| Delivery of notices of withdrawal of candidature. | Within the time for the delivery of nomination papers at the election. |
| The making of objections to nomination papers. | [F5During the hours allowed for delivery of nomination papers and on the last such day during the hour following.] |
| Publication of statement of persons nominated. | [F6(a)If no objections to nomination papers are made, 6 p.m. on the 7th day after the day of the publication of the notice of election (or as soon as practicable thereafter). (b)If any such objections are made, not before they are disposed of but not later than 24 hours after the last time for delivery of nomination papers.] |
| Polling. | Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on the day fixed by the returning officer, which shall not be earlier than the 18th nor later than the 21st day after the last day for delivery of nomination papers. |
F2Words in Sch. 5 rule 1(2) timetable substituted (16.12.2010) by Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2977), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. 1 para. 45(a) (with art. 1(3))
F3Words in Sch. 5 rule 1(2) timetable substituted (16.12.2010) by Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2977), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. 1 para. 45(b) (with art. 1(3))
F4Words in Sch. 5 rule 1(3) timetable substituted (16.12.2010) by Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2977), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. 1 para. 46(a) (with art. 1(3))
F5Words in Sch. 5 rule 1(3) timetable substituted (16.12.2010) by Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2977), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. 1 para. 46(b) (with art. 1(3))
F6Words in Sch. 5 rule 1(3) timetable substituted (16.12.2010) by Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2977), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. 1 para. 46(c) (with art. 1(3))
2In computing any period of time for the purpose of the appropriate Timetable a Saturday, Sunday[F7, Christmas Eve, F8. . . ] or public holiday shall be disregarded and any such day shall not be treated as a day for the purpose of any proceedings up to the completion of the poll nor shall the returning officer be obliged to proceed with the counting of the votes on such a day.
F7SI 1987/168
F8Words in Sch. 5 rule 2 repealed (1.7.2008) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 20, 74(2), 77(2), Sch. 1 para. 48, Sch. 2; S.I. 2008/1316, art. 2(3), 5(f)(ii)(g)(i)
3In these rules returning officer means the Chief Electoral Officer provided that, in respect of any function which that Officer has delegated to a deputy returning officer (within the meaning of Article 9(2) of the Electoral Law (Northern Ireland) Order 1972), it means the deputy returning officer acting under the supervision of the Chief Electoral Officer.
[F93AWhere these rules require the use of a form set out in the Appendix, any form that has substantially the same effect may be used instead.]
F9Sch. 5 rule 3A inserted (16.12.2010) by Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2977), arts. 1(2), 4, Sch. 1 para. 47 (with art. 1(3))