The Representation of the People (Annual Canvass) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2020

Amendments to the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001

11.  In regulation 32ZBE (annual canvass for properties where the registration officer is satisfied that it is not necessary to make any deletion from an electoral register and has no reason to believe that any additions to an electoral register may be required)—

(a) in paragraphs (1), (2), (6) and (7), omit “of parliamentary electors” in each place where it occurs,

(b) in paragraph (3), for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) where—

(i) the registration officer hold relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 18 or over who are registered at the address in a register of parliamentary electors, or

(ii) the registration officer hold relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 16 or over who are registered at the address in a register of local government electors,

a communication by electronic means to each of those persons.”,

(c) in paragraph 4, for “paragraph (3)(b)” substitute “paragraph (3)(b)(i),

(d) after paragraph 4 insert—

“(4A) Any communication sent under paragraph (3)(b)(ii) must require the recipient to—

(a) confirm to the registration officer whether the information it contains in respect of persons who are registered at the address in a register of local government electors, with the exception of persons falling within section 9D(6) of the 1983 Act, is complete and accurate;

(b) provide to the registration officer, except where it is already included in the communication, the full name and nationality of each person aged 14 or over who is residing at the address and who is eligible to be registered in a register of local government electors; and

(c) provide to the registration officer the date of birth of each person aged 14 or 15 who is residing at the address and who is eligible to be registered in a register of local government electors.”,

(e) in paragraph (5)(b) for “paragraph (3)(b)” substitute “paragraph (3)(b)(i)”,

(f) after paragraph 5 insert—

“(5A) In circumstances where a registration officer—

(a) does not hold relevant contact details for one or more persons aged 16 or over who are registered at the address in a register of local government electors; or

(b) has sent a communication by electronic means under paragraph (3)(b)(ii) to one or more persons in respect of the address and has not, within a reasonable time of sending the communication, received the required information from at least one person in respect of the address,

the registration officer must send a canvass communication A to the address.”.