Representation of the People Act 1983

89 Inspection of returns and declarations. U.K.

[F1 (1) Where the appropriate officer receives any return or declaration under section 75, [F2 75A,] 81 or 82 above he shall—

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the return or declaration make a copy of it, and any accompanying documents, available for public inspection at his office, or some other convenient place chosen by him, for a period of two years beginning with the date when the return is received by him;

(b) if requested to do so by any person, and on payment of the prescribed fee, supply that person with a copy of the return or declaration and any accompanying documents.

(1A) If any such return contains a statement of donations in accordance with [F3 paragraph 10 of Schedule 2A to this Act] above, the appropriate officer shall secure that the copy of the statement made available for public inspection under subsection (1)(a) above or (as the case may be) supplied under subsection (1)(b) above does not include, in the case of any donation by an individual, the donor’s address.]

(2) After the expiry of those two years the appropriate officer—

(a) may cause those returns and declarations (including the accompanying documents) to be destroyed, or

(b) if the candidate or his election agent so require, shall return them to the candidate.

(3) Any returns or declarations [F4 delivered] under section 75 [F5 or 75A] shall be returned not to the candidate (if he or his election agent so require) but to the person [F4 delivering] them, if he so requires.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 89(1)(1A) substituted (1.7.2001) for s. 89(1) by 2000 c. 41, s. 138(1)(2), Sch. 18 para. 10 (with s. 156(6)); S.I. 2001/222, art. 4, Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 2 Pt. II)

F2 Word in s. 89(1) inserted (S.) (17.2.2007) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 35, 63, Sch. 2 para. 7(a); S.S.I. 2007/26, art. 3(1)(i) (with art. 3(2))

F3 Words in s. 89(1A) substituted (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 74(1), 77, Sch. 1 para. 115; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(aa)(bb)(iv) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 4

F4 Word substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 33

F5 Words in s. 89(3) inserted (S.) (17.2.2007) by Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 14), ss. 35, 63, Sch. 2 para. 7(b); S.S.I. 2007/26, art. 3(1)(i) (with art. 3(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 89 applied with modifications (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2 S. 89 applied with modifications (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C3 S. 89 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

C4 S. 89 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

C5 Ss. 73-90D restricted (W.) (4.12.2020) by The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections) (Wales) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1399), regs. 2, 7(2) (with reg. 7(8))