Representation of the People Act 1983

1. Introductory Text

2. Part I Parliamentary and Local Government Franchise and its Exercise

   1. Parliamentary and local government franchise

      1. 1. Parliamentary electors.

      2. 2. Local government electors.

      3. 3. Disfranchisement of offenders in prison etc.

      4. 3A. Disfranchisement of offenders detained in mental hospitals.

   2. Entitlement to registration

      1. 4. Entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local government elector.

      2. 5. Residence: general.

      3. 6. Residence: merchant seamen.

      4. 7. Residence: patients in mental hospitals who are not detained offenders or on remand.

      5. 7A. Residence: persons remanded in custody etc.

      6. 7AA. Residence: convicted person to whom section 3(1A) applies

      7. 7B. Notional residence: declarations of local connection.

      8. 7C. Effect of declaration of local connection.

   3. Registration of parliamentary and local government electors

      1. 8. Registration officers.

      2. 9. Registers of electors.

      3. 9A. Registration officers: duty to take necessary steps

      4. 9B. Anonymous registration

      5. 9C. Removal of anonymous entry

      6. 9D. Maintenance of registers: duty to conduct canvass in Great Britain

      7. 9E. Maintenance of registers: invitations to register in Great Britain

      8. 10. Maintenance of registers: duty to conduct canvass in Northern Ireland.

      9. 10ZA. Northern Ireland: timing of canvass

      10. 10ZB. The relevant registration objectives (Northern Ireland)

      11. 10ZC. Registration of electors in Great Britain

      12. 10ZD. Registration of electors in Great Britain: alterations

      13. 10ZE. Removal of electors in Great Britain from register

      14. 10ZF. Digital registration and canvass in Northern Ireland

      15. 10A. Maintenance of the registers: registration of electors in Northern Ireland.

      16. 10B. Register of electors in Northern Ireland: digital registration number

      17. 11. Correction of registers.

      18. 12. Right to be registered.

      19. 13. Publication of registers.

      20. 13A. Alteration of registers.

      21. 13AB. Alteration of registers: interim publication dates

      22. 13B. Alteration of registers: pending elections.

      23. 13BA. Alteration of registers in Northern Ireland: pending elections

      24. 13BB. Election falling within canvass period

      25. 13BC. Alteration of registers: recall petition

      26. 13BD. Electoral identity document: Great Britain

      27. 13BE. Anonymous elector’s document: Great Britain

      28. 13C. Electoral identity card: Northern Ireland

      29. 13CZA. Provision of false information: application for electoral identity document, anonymous elector’s document or electoral identity card

      30. 13CA. Scottish local government elections: false information in connection with applications for absent voting

      31. 13D. Provision of false information

   4. Service qualifications and declarations for registration

      1. 14. Service qualification.

      2. 15. Service declaration.

      3. 16. Contents of service declaration.

      4. 17. Effect of service declaration.

   5. Place and manner of voting at parliamentary elections

      1. 18. Polling districts and places at parliamentary elections.

      2. 18A. Polling districts at parliamentary elections: Great Britain

      3. 18AA. Polling districts at parliamentary elections: Northern Ireland

      4. 18B. Polling places at parliamentary elections

      5. 18C. Review of polling districts and places: Great Britain

      6. 18CA. Review of polling places: Northern Ireland

      7. 18D. Review of polling districts and places: representations to Electoral Commission

      8. 18E. Sections 18A to 18D: supplemental

      9. 19, 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      10. 21, 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

   6. Conduct of parliamentary elections

      1. 23. Rules for parliamentary elections.

      2. 24. Returning officers: England and Wales.

      3. 25. Returning officers: Scotland.

      4. 26. Returning officer: Northern Ireland.

      5. 27. Returning officers generally.

      6. 28. Discharge of returning officer’s functions in England and Wales.

      7. 29. Payments by and to returning officer.

      8. 29A. Inadequate performance of returning officer: reduction of charges

      9. 30. Taxation of returning officer’s account.

   7. Place and manner of voting at local government elections

      1. 31. Polling districts and stations at local government elections.

      2. 32–34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

   8. Conduct of local government elections in England and Wales

      1. 35. Returning officers: local elections in England and Wales.

      2. 36. Local elections in England ....

      3. 36A. Rules for local elections in Wales

      4. 36B. Combination of local elections in Wales

      5. 36C. Expenditure by returning officers at local elections in Wales

      6. 37. Ordinary day of local elections in England ...

      7. 37ZA. Ordinary day of local elections in Wales

      8. 37A. Power to change date of local elections to date of European Parliamentary general election: England

      9. 37B. Power to change date of local elections to date of European Parliamentary general election: Wales

      10. 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      11. 39. Local elections void etc. in England and Wales.

      12. 40. Timing as to local elections in England and Wales.

   9. Conduct of local government elections in Scotland

      1. 41. Returning officers: local elections in Scotland.

      2. 42. Local elections in Scotland.

      3. 43. Day of ordinary local elections in Scotland, and other timing provisions.

      4. 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 45. Non-election of local authority etc. in Scotland.

   10. Supplemental provisions as to local government elections

       1. 46. Further provision as to local election voting in England.

       2. 46A. Further provision as to local election voting in Wales

       3. 47. Loan of equipment for local elections.

       4. 48. Validity of local elections, and legal costs.

   11. Supplemental provisions as to parliamentary and local government elections

       1. 49. Effect of registers.

       2. 50. Effect of misdescription.

       3. 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

       4. 52. Discharge of registration duties.

       5. 53. Power to make regulations as to registration etc.

       6. 54. Payment of expenses of registration.

       7. 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

       8. 56. Registration appeals: England and Wales.

       9. 57. Registration appeals: Scotland.

       10. 58. Registration appeals: Northern Ireland.

       11. 59. Supplemental provisions as to members of forces and service voters.

       12. 59A. Reports on voter identification requirements in Great Britain

   12. Offences

       1. 60. Personation.

       2. 61. Other voting offences.

       3. 62. Offences as to declarations.

       4. 62A. Offences relating to applications for postal and proxy votes

       5. 62B. Scottish local government elections: offences relating to applications for postal and proxy votes

       6. 62C. Influencing voters at polling booths

       7. 63. Breach of official duty.

       8. 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

       9. 65. Tampering with nomination papers, ballot papers, etc.

       10. 65A. False statements in nomination papers etc.

       11. 65B. Scottish local government elections: false information in nomination papers etc.

       12. 66. Requirement of secrecy.

       13. 66A. Prohibition on publication of exit polls.

       14. 66B. Failure to comply with conditions relating to supply etc. of certain documents

3. Part II The Election Campaign

   1. The Election agent

      1. 67. Appointment of election agent

      2. 68. Nomination of sub-agent at parliamentary or Authority elections.

      3. 69. Office of election agent and sub-agent.

      4. 70. Effect of default in election agent’s appointment.

      5. 70A. Application of s.70 in relation to election of London members of the London Assembly.

      6. 71. Elections where election agent not required.

   2. Donations to candidates

      1. 71A. Control of donations to candidates.

   3. Election expenses

      1. 72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 73. Payment of expenses through election agent.

      3. 74. Expenses which may be paid otherwise than by election agent.

      4. 74A. Expenses incurred otherwise than for election purposes.

      5. 75. Prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent.

      6. 75ZA. Return of permitted expenditure: power to require return

      7. 75ZB. Return of permitted expenditure: compliance and sanctions

      8. 75A. Scottish local government elections: prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent

      9. 76. Limitation of election expenses.

      10. 76ZA. Limitation of pre-candidacy election expenses for certain general elections

      11. 76A. Power to vary provisions about election expenses.

      12. 77. Expenses limit for joint candidates at local election.

      13. 78. Time for sending in and paying claims.

      14. 79. Disputed claims.

      15. 80. Election agent’s claim.

      16. 81. Return as to election expenses.

      17. 82. Declarations as to election expenses.

      18. 83. Where no return and declarations needed at parliamentary elections.

      19. 84. Penalty for failure as respects return or declarations.

      20. 85. Penalty for sitting or voting where no return and declarations transmitted.

      21. 85A. Disqualification where no return and declarations transmitted after election of Mayor of London.

      22. 86. Authorised excuses for failures as to return and declarations.

      23. 87. Court’s power to require information from election agent or sub-agent.

      24. 87A. Duty of appropriate officer to forward returns and declarations to Electoral Commission.

      25. 87B. Scottish local government elections: duty of appropriate officer to forward returns and declarations to Electoral Commission

      26. 88. Publication of time and place for inspection of returns and declarations.

      27. 88A. Scottish local government elections: Publication of time and place for inspection of returns and declarations

      28. 89. Inspection of returns and declarations.

      29. 90. Election expenses at elections where election agent not required.

      30. 90ZA. Meaning of “election expenses”

      31. 90A. Meaning of “election expenses”.

      32. 90B. Incurring of election expenses for purposes of section 90A.

      33. 90ZB. Scottish local government elections: meaning of “election expenses”

      34. 90C. Property, goods, services etc. provided free of charge or at a discount.

      35. 90D. Modification of sections 90ZA and 90C in relation to election of London members of the London Assembly.

   4. Publicity at parliamentary elections

      1. 91. Candidate’s right to send election address post free.

      2. 92. Broadcasting from outside United Kingdom.

      3. 93. Broadcasting of local items during election period.

      4. 94. Imitation poll cards.

   5. Election meetings

      1. 95. Schools and rooms for parliamentary election meetings.

      2. 96. Schools and rooms for local election meetings.

      3. 97. Disturbances at election meetings.

      4. 98. Premises not affected for rates.

   6. Agency by election officials and canvassing by police officers

      1. 99. Officials not to act for candidates.

      2. 100. Illegal canvassing by police officers.

   7. Conveyance of voters to and from poll

      1. 101. No hiring of vehicles to convey voters.

      2. 102. No payments for conveyance of voters.

      3. 103. Provisions supplemental to ss. 101 and 102.

      4. 104. “Carriage” in ss. 101 to 103.

      5. 105. Access to polling place by sea.

   8. Other illegal practices, payments, employments or hirings

      1. 106. False statements as to candidates.

      2. 107. Corrupt withdrawal from candidature.

      3. 108. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 109. Payments for exhibition of election notices.

      5. 110. Details to appear on election publications.

      6. 110A. Scottish local government elections: details to appear on election publications

      7. 111. Prohibition of paid canvassers.

      8. 112. Providing money for illegal purposes.

      9. 112A. Handling of postal voting documents by political campaigners

   9. Bribery, treating and undue influence

      1. 113. Bribery.

      2. 114. Treating.

      3. 114A. Undue influence

      4. 115. Undue influence : local government elections in Scotland and Wales.

   10. Supplemental

       1. 116. Rights of creditors.

       2. 117. Savings as to parliamentary elections.

       3. 118. Interpretation of Part II.

       4. 118A. Meaning of candidate.

       5. 119. Computation of time for purposes of Part II.

4. Part III Legal Proceedings

   1. Questioning of a parliamentary election

      1. 120. Method of questioning parliamentary election.

      2. 121. Presentation and service of parliamentary election petition.

      3. 122. Time for presentation or amendment of parliamentary election petition.

      4. 123. Constitution of election court and place of trial.

      5. 124. Judges’ expenses and reception: England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

      6. 125. Judges’ expenses and reception: Scotland.

      7. 126. Attendance of House of Commons shorthand writer.

   2. Questioning of a local election

      1. 127. Method of questioning local election.

      2. 128. Presentation of petition questioning local election.

      3. 129. Time for presentation or amendment of petition questioning local election.

      4. 130. Election court for local election in England and Wales, and place of trial.

      5. 131. Accommodation of and attendance on court.

      6. 132. Remuneration and allowances.

      7. 133. Repayments under ss. 131 and 132.

      8. 134. Election court for local election in Scotland, and place of trial.

      9. 135. Consequences of local election declared void.

      10. 135A. Consequences of election or return of London members being declared void.

   3. Procedure on all election petitions

      1. 136. Security for costs.

      2. 137. Petition at issue.

      3. 138. List of petitions.

      4. 139. Trial of petition.

      5. 140. Witnesses.

      6. 141. Duty to answer relevant questions.

      7. 142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 143. Expenses of witnesses.

      9. 144. Conclusion of trial of parliamentary election petition.

      10. 145. Conclusion of trial of local election petition.

      11. 145A. Determination in respect of election of Mayor of London or constituency member of London Assembly.

      12. 146. Special case for determination of High Court.

      13. 147. Withdrawal of petition.

      14. 148. Evidence required for withdrawal of petition.

      15. 149. Penalty for corrupt withdrawal and breach of s. 148.

      16. 150. Substitution of new petitioner.

      17. 151. Report on withdrawal.

      18. 152. Abatement of petition.

      19. 153. Withdrawal and substitution of respondents before trial.

      20. 154. Costs of petition.

      21. 155. Neglect or refusal to pay costs.

      22. 156. Further provision as to costs.

      23. 157. Appeals and jurisdiction.

   4. Consequences of finding by election court of corrupt or illegal practice

      1. 158. Report as to candidate guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice.

      2. 159. Candidate reported guilty of corrupt or illegal practice.

      3. 160. Persons reported personally guilty of corrupt or illegal practices.

   5. Director of Public Prosecutions’ duty to report corrupt practice

      1. 161. Justice of the Peace.

      2. 162. Member of legal and certain other professions.

      3. 163. Holder of licence or certificate under Licensing Acts.

   6. Further provision as to avoidance of elections and striking off votes

      1. 164. Avoidance of election for general corruption etc.

      2. 165. Avoidance of election for employing corrupt agent.

      3. 166. Votes to be struck off for corrupt or illegal practices.

   7. Power to except innocent act from being illegal practice, payment, employment or hiring

      1. 167. Application for relief.

   8. Prosecutions for corrupt or illegal practices

      1. 168. Prosecutions for corrupt practices.

      2. 169. Prosecutions for illegal practices.

      3. 170. Conviction of illegal practice on charge of corrupt practice etc.

      4. 171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 172. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 173. Incapacities on conviction of corrupt or illegal practice.

      7. 173A. Incapacity to hold public or judicial office in Scotland.

   9. Mitigation and remission of incapacities

      1. 174. Mitigation and remission etc.

   10. Illegal payments, employments or hirings

       1. 175. Illegal payments etc.

   11. General provisions as to prosecutions

       1. 176. Time limit for prosecutions.

       2. 177. Local election offence punishable summarily.

       3. 178. Prosecution of offences committed outside the United Kingdom.

       4. 179. Offences by associations.

       5. 180. Evidence by certificate of holding of elections.

       6. 180A. Evidence by certificate of electoral registration.

       7. 181. Director of Public Prosecutions.

   12. Supplemental

       1. 182. Rules of procedure.

       2. 183. Costs.

       3. 184. Service of notices.

       4. 185. Interpretation of Part III.

       5. 186. Computation of time for purposes of Part III.

5. Part IV Special Provisions as to Other Local Elections

   1. England and Wales, and Scotland

      1. 187. Application of Act to certain local elections.

      2. 188. Parts II and III as to local elections in Scotland.

      3. 189. Voting offences at certain local elections.

   2. The Greater London Authority

      1. 189A. Extension of references to elections under the local government Act.

      2. 190. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

   3. The City

      1. 191. Municipal elections in the City.

      2. 192. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 193. Personation and other voting offences.

      4. 194. Broadcasting.

      5. 195. Disturbances at meetings.

      6. 196. Costs or expenses.

      7. 197. Candidate’s expenses: ward, and liverymen in common hall, elections.

      8. 198. Effect of avoidance of election to corporate office.

6. Part V General and Supplemental

   1. Supplemental

      1. 199ZA. Functions of the Minister for the Cabinet Office

      2. 199. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 199A. Functions of the Lord Chancellor

      4. 199B. Translations etc of certain documents

      5. 199C. Scottish local government elections: translations etc. of certain documents

      6. 200. Public notices, and declarations.

      7. 200A. Remuneration for free postal services provided under Act.

      8. 201. Regulations.

   2. Interpretation

      1. 202. General provisions as to interpretation.

      2. 203. Local government provisions as to England and Wales.

      3. 203A. Meaning of “qualifying EU citizen”

      4. 203B. Meaning of “EU citizen with retained rights”

   3. Scotland and Northern Ireland

      1. 204. General application to Scotland.

      2. 205. General application to Northern Ireland.

   4. Operation

      1. 206. Transitional and saving provisions, amendments and repeals.

      2. 207. Citation and commencement.

7. SCHEDULES

   1. SCHEDULE ZA1

      Civil penalties under section 9E

      1. Introduction

         1. 1. This Schedule is about civil penalties under section 9E.

      2. Amount

         1. 2. The amount of a civil penalty is to be specified...

      3. Procedure

         1. 3. (1) The procedure for imposing a civil penalty on a...

         2. 4. Regulations may specify steps that a registration officer must take...

      4. Reviews and appeals

         1. 5. (1) Regulations may give a person on whom a civil...

      5. Power to create exceptions

         1. 6. Regulations may specify circumstances in which— (a) a civil penalty...

      6. Accounts and record keeping

         1. 7. Regulations may impose duties on registration officers about the keeping...

      7. Interest and enforcement etc.

         1. 8. Regulations may— (a) allow interest to be charged on a...

         2. 9. In this Schedule “ civil penalty ” includes any interest...

         3. 10. Regulations may make provision about the recovery of civil penalties...

         4. 11. A civil penalty received by a registration officer is to...

      8. Power to make further provision

         1. 12. Regulations may make further provision about civil penalties.

   2. SCHEDULE A1

      Review of polling districts and polling places

      1. 1. The relevant authority must publish notice of the holding of...

      2. 2. The authority must consult the returning officer for every parliamentary...

      3. 3. (1) Every such returning officer must make representations to the...

      4. 4. (1) The authority must seek representations from such persons as...

      5. 5. Any elector in a constituency situated in whole or in...

      6. 6. Representations made by any person in connection with a review...

      7. 7. On completion of a review the authority must—

   3. SCHEDULE 1

      1. Part I Provisions as to Time

         1. Timetable

            1. 1. The proceedings at the election shall be conducted in accordance...

         2. Computation of time

            1. 2. (1) In computing any period of time for the purposes...

      2. Part II Stages Common to Contested and Uncontested Elections

         1. Issue of Writ and Notice of Election

            1. Issue of writ

               1. 3. (1) Writs for parliamentary elections shall continue to be sealed...

            2. Conveyance of writ to acting returning officer

               1. 4. (1) For an election in a constituency in England and...

            3. Notice of election

               1. 5. (1) The returning officer shall publish notice of the election...

         2. Nomination

            1. Nomination of candidates

               1. 6. (1) Each candidate shall be nominated by a separate nomination...

            2. Nomination papers: name of registered political party

               1. 6A. (1) A nomination paper may not include a description of...

            3. Subscription of nomination paper

               1. 7. (1) The nomination paper shall be subscribed by two electors...

            4. Consent to nomination

               1. 8. (1) A person shall not be validly nominated unless his...

            5. Deposit

               1. 9. (1) A person shall not be validly nominated unless the...

            6. Place for delivery of nomination papers

               1. 10. (1) The returning officer shall fix the place at which...

            7. Right to attend nomination

               1. 11. (1) Except for the purpose of delivering a nomination paper...

            8. Decisions as to validity of nomination papers

               1. 12. (1) Where a nomination paper and the candidate’s consent to...

            9. Withdrawal of candidates

               1. 13. (1) A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice of...

            10. Publication of statement of persons nominated

                1. 14. (1) The returning officer shall prepare and publish a statement...

            11. Correction of minor errors

                1. 14A. (1) A returning officer may, if he thinks fit, at...

            12. Disqualification by Representation of the People Act 1981

                1. 15. (1) If it appears to the returning officer that any...

            13. Adjournment of nomination proceedings in case of riot

                1. 16. (1) Where the proceedings for or in connection with nomination...

            14. Method of election

                1. 17. (1) If the statement of persons nominated shows more than...

      3. Part III Contested Elections

         1. General Provisions

            1. Poll to be taken by ballot

               1. 18. The votes at the poll shall be given by ballot,...

            2. The ballot papers

               1. 19. (1) The ballot of every voter shall consist of a...

            3. Corresponding number list

               1. 19A. (1) The returning officer must prepare a list containing the...

            4. Date of birth lists for polling stations in Northern Ireland

               1. 19B. (1) The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must prepare...

            5. The official mark

               1. 20. (1) Every ballot paper must contain an appropriate security marking...

            6. Prohibition of disclosure of vote

               1. 21. No person who has voted at the election shall, in...

            7. Use of schools and public rooms

               1. 22. (1) The returning officer may use, free of charge, for...

         2. Action to be Taken Before the Poll

            1. Notice of poll

               1. 23. (1) The returning officer shall in the statement of persons...

            2. Postal ballot papers

               1. 24. (1) The returning officer shall, in accordance with regulations, issue...

            3. Provision of polling stations

               1. 25. (1) The returning officer shall provide a sufficient number of...

            4. Appointment of presiding officers and clerks

               1. 26. (1) The returning officer shall appoint and pay a presiding...

            5. Special lists

               1. 27. . . . . . . . . . ....

            6. Issue of official poll cards

               1. 28. (1) The returning officer shall as soon as practicable after...

            7. Equipment of polling stations

               1. 29. (1) The returning officer shall provide each presiding officer with...

            8. Appointment of polling and counting agents

               1. 30. (1) Each candidate may, before the commencement of the poll,...

            9. Notification of requirement of secrecy

               1. 31. (1) The returning officer shall make such arrangements as he...

            10. Return of postal ballot papers

                1. 31A. (1) Where— (a) a postal vote has been returned in...

         3. The Poll

            1. Admission to polling station

               1. 32. (1) The presiding officer shall exclude all persons from the...

            2. Keeping of order in station

               1. 33. (1) It is the presiding officer’s duty to keep order...

            3. Sealing of ballot boxes

               1. 34. Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding officer...

            4. Questions to be put to voters

               1. 35. (1) At the time of the application (but not afterwards),...

            5. Challenge of voter

               1. 36. A person shall not be prevented from voting by reason...

            6. Voting procedure and voter identification requirements: Great Britain

               1. 37. (1) Subject to rule 35(3) and to paragraphs (1A) to...

            7. Votes marked by presiding officer

               1. 38. (1) Subject to paragraph (1A) below, the presiding officer, on...

            8. Voting by persons with disabilities

               1. 39. (1) If a voter makes an application to the presiding...

            9. Tendered ballot papers

               1. 40. (1) If a person, representing himself to be—

            10. Tendered postal ballot papers: anonymous entries in Northern Ireland

                1. 40ZA. (1) This rule applies to a person (“P”) who—

            11. Refusal to deliver ballot paper: Great Britain

                1. 40ZB. (1) This rule applies in relation to an election held...

            12. Refusal to deliver ballot paper: Northern Ireland

                1. 40A. (1) This rule applies where a presiding officer refuses to...

            13. Collection and disclosure of information relating to applications made under rules 37 to 40

                1. 40B. (1) This rule applies in relation to an election held...

            14. Spoilt ballot papers

                1. 41. A voter who has inadvertently dealt with his ballot paper...

            15. Correction of errors on day of poll

                1. 41A. The presiding officer shall keep a list of persons to...

            16. Correction of errors on day of poll: Northern Ireland

                1. 41B. The presiding officer shall keep a list of persons to...

            17. Adjournment of poll in case of riot

                1. 42. (1) Where the proceedings at any polling station are interrupted...

            18. Procedure on close of poll

                1. 43. (1) As soon as practicable after the close of the...

         4. Counting of Votes

            1. Attendance at counting of votes

               1. 44. (1) The returning officer shall make arrangements for counting the...

            2. The count

               1. 45. (1) The returning officer shall— (a) in the presence of...

            3. Recount

               1. 46. (1) A candidate or his election agent may, if present...

            4. Rejected ballot papers

               1. 47. (1) Any ballot paper— (a) which does not bear the...

            5. Decisions on ballot papers

               1. 48. The decision of the returning officer on any question arising...

            6. Equality of votes

               1. 49. Where, after the counting of the votes (including any recount)...

      4. Part IV Final Proceedings in Contested and Uncontested Elections

         1. Declaration of result

            1. 50. (1) In a contested election, when the result of the...

         2. Return to the writ

            1. 51. (1) The returning officer shall return the name of the...

         3. Record of returns at Crown Office

            1. 52. (1) The Clerk of the Crown shall from the certificate...

         4. Return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit

            1. 53. (1) The deposit made under rule 9 of these rules...

         5. Counting of votes: statement by returning officer

            1. 53ZA. (1) In a contested election, if the counting of the...

      5. Part V Disposal of Documents

         1. Destruction of home address forms

            1. 53A. The returning officer shall destroy each candidate's home address form—...

         2. Destruction of date of birth lists: Northern Ireland

            1. 53B. The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must destroy the...

         3. Sealing up of ballot papers

            1. 54. (1) On the completion of the counting at a contested...

         4. Delivery of documents to registration officer

            1. 55. (1) The returning officer shall then forward to the relevant...

         5. Orders for production of documents

            1. 56. (1) An order— (a) for the inspection or production of...

         6. Inspection of ballot paper refusal list: Great Britain

            1. 56A. (1) Regulations may make provision about the circumstances in which...

         7. Retention and public inspection of documents

            1. 57. (1) The relevant registration officer shall retain for a year...

         8. Disposal of documents in Scotland

            1. 58. (1) This rule modifies rules 55 to 57 in relation...

         9. Disposal of documents in Northern Ireland

            1. 59. In the application of rules 55 to 57 to elections...

      6. Part VI Death of Candidate

         1. Independent candidate

            1. 60. (1) This rule applies if at a contested election proof...

         2. Deceased independent candidate wins

            1. 61. (1) This rule applies if at an election mentioned in...

         3. Deceased independent candidate with equality of votes

            1. 62. In an election mentioned in rule 60(1), if—

         4. Party candidate

            1. 63. (1) This rule applies if— (a) at a contested election...

         5. Speaker of the House of Commons seeking re-election

            1. 64. (1) This rule applies if at a contested election—

         6. Abandoned poll

            1. 65. (1) This rule applies to— (a) a poll which is...

      7. Appendix of forms

         1. Form of writ

         2. Label or direction of writ

         3. Endorsement

         4. Certificate endorsed on writ

         5. Form of notice of election

         6. Form of nomination paper

         7. NOTE

            1. 1. The attention of candidates and electors is drawn to the...

            2. 2. Where a candidate is commonly known by some title he...

            3. 2A. Where a candidate commonly uses a name or names—

            4. 2B. But the ballot paper will show the other name if...

            5. 3. . . . . . . . . . ....

            6. 4. An elector may not subscribe more than one nomination paper...

            7. 5. A person whose name is entered in the register ....

         8. Form of Ballot Paper

         9. Directions as to printing the ballot paper

            1. 1. Nothing is to be printed on the ballot paper except...

            2. 2. So far as is practicable, the arrangements set out in...

            3. 3. No word may be printed on the face except:

            4. 4. A box must be printed around: (a) the heading and...

            5. 5. No rule may be printed on the face except:

            6. 6. The horizontal rules referred to in paragraph 5(c), (d) and...

            7. 7. The boxes referred to in paragraph 5(f) must not touch...

            8. 8. Each of the horizontal rules referred to in paragraph 5(c)...

            9. 9. The horizontal rule referred to in paragraph 5(e) must:

            10. 10. Where a registered emblem is to be printed against a...

            11. 11. All the words on the front of the ballot paper...

            12. 12. The surname of each candidate must appear in capitals and...

            13. 13. The number and other unique identifying mark must be printed...

         10. Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting

             1. 1. You must satisfy the presiding officer about your identity by...

             2. 2.. When you are given a ballot paper go to one...

             3. 3. Vote for one candidate only. Put no other mark on...

             4. 4.. Fold the ballot paper in two. Show the back of...

             5. 5.. If by mistake you spoil a ballot paper, show it...

         11. Form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities

             1. ...

   4. SCHEDULE 2

      Provisions Which May be Contained in Regulations as to Registration Etc.

      1. 1. (1) Provisions prescribing the arrangements to be made for the...

      2. 1A. (1) Provision authorising or requiring a person to disclose information...

      3. 1B. (1) Provision as to the information that a registration officer...

      4. 2. Provisions imposing on registration officers the duty of requiring persons...

      5. 2A. Provisions requiring registration officers to remind persons registered in pursuance...

      6. 2B. Provisions requiring registration officers to remind persons with anonymous entries...

      7. 3. Provisions laying down a timetable for the preparation of the...

      8. 3ZA. (1) Provision about applications under section 10ZC , 10ZD, 13BD...

      9. 3ZB. (1) Provision about renewal declarations (within the meaning given by...

      10. 3A. (1) Provision about— (a) applications for registration in Northern Ireland...

      11. 3B. Provisions as to the form and content of applications for...

      12. 3C. (1) Provision authorising or requiring a registration officer conducting a...

      13. 4. Provisions as to the manner in which service declarations, and...

      14. 5. (1) Provisions as to the evidence which shall or may...

      15. 5ZA. (1) Provision about the manner in which relevant absent voting...

      16. 5A. (1) Provision requiring applications under paragraph 3 or 4 of...

      17. 5B. (1) Provision as to the steps that a registration officer...

      18. 6. Provisions as to the cases in which an application or...

      19. 7. Provisions authorising a registration officer to require any person’s evidence...

      20. 8. Provisions requiring the registration officer to prepare a special list...

      21. 8A. Provisions requiring the registration officer to prepare a record of...

      22. 8B. (1) Provision authorising or requiring a registration officer in determining...

      23. 8BA. (1) Provision requiring a registration officer in Great Britain to...

      24. 8C. (1) Provision requiring the retention or disposal, or otherwise regulating...

      25. 9. . . . . . . . . . ....

      26. 10. (1) Provisions requiring a registration officer to prepare, in addition...

      27. 10A. Provisions requiring copies of the full register and other documents,...

      28. 10B. (1) Provisions authorising or requiring a registration officer—

      29. 11. (1) Provisions imposing prohibitions or restrictions relating to the extent...

      30. 11A. (1) Provisions authorising or requiring registration officers to supply information...

      31. 12. Provisions as to the arrangements to be made in relation...

      32. 12ZA. (1) Where regulations under rule 45(1B)(a) or (b) in Schedule...

      33. 12ZB. (1) Where regulations under rule 45(2)(a) in Schedule 1 provide...

      34. 12A. Regulations under section 53 making provision as mentioned in paragraph...

      35. 13. (1) Provisions making it an offence (punishable on summary conviction...

   5. Schedule 2A

      Control of Donations to Candidates

      1. Part I Introductory

         1. Operation and interpretation of Schedule

            1. 1.

         2. Donations: general rules

            1. 2. (1) “ Donation ”, in relation to a candidate at...

         3. Sponsorship

            1. 3. (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided...

         4. Payments etc. not to be regarded as donations

            1. 4. (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a...

         5. Value of donations

            1. 5. (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a)...

      2. Part II Controls on donations

         1. Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

            1. 6. (1) A relevant donation received by a candidate or his...

         2. Acceptance or return of donations

            1. 7. (1) Sections 56 to 60 of the 2000 Act shall...

         3. Transfer of donations received by candidate to election agent

            1. 8. (1) Sub-paragraph (2) below applies in relation to any relevant...

         4. Evasion of restrictions on donations

            1. 9. Section 61 of the 2000 Act shall apply for the...

      3. Part III Reporting of donations

         1. Statement of relevant donations

            1. 10. (1) The candidate’s election agent must include in any return...

         2. Donations from permissible donors

            1. 11. The statement must record, in relation to each relevant donation...

         3. Donations from impermissible donors

            1. 12. (1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph...

   6. SCHEDULE 3

      Return and Declarations as to Election Expenses

   7. SCHEDULE 4

      Election Expenses at Certain Local Elections in England and Wales

      1. 1. (1) Any claim against any person in respect of any...

      2. 2. Every agent of a candidate at the election shall, within...

      3. 3. Within 28 days after the day of election every candidate...

      4. 4. (1) After the expiry of the time for making the...

      5. 5. If the candidate fails to make that return and declaration...

      6. 6. The High Court, an election court or the county court...

      7. 7. (1) If the candidate applies to the High Court, an...

      8. 8. (1) The return and declaration shall be kept at the...

      9. 9. For the purposes of this Schedule— (a) the jurisdiction vested...

   8. SCHEDULE 4A

      Election expenses

      1. Part 1 List of matters

         1. 1. Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used). Expenses in...

         2. 2. Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by...

         3. 3. Transport (by any means) of persons to any place. Expenses...

         4. 4. Public meetings (of any kind). Expenses in respect of such...

         5. 5. The services of an election agent or any other person...

         6. 6. Accommodation and administrative costs.

      2. Part 2 General Exclusions

         1. 7. The payment of any deposit required by rule 9 of...

         2. 7A. (1) Any matter that is reasonably attributable to the candidate’s...

         3. 8. The publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating...

         4. 8A. In relation to a local government election in Wales, expenses...

         5. 9. The provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any...

         6. 10. The provision by an individual of his own services which...

         7. 11. (1) Accommodation which is the candidate's sole or main residence....

         8. 12. (1) Transport by a means of transport which was acquired...

         9. 13. (1) Computing or printing equipment which was acquired by the...

         10. 13A. Except in relation to a local government election in Wales,...

      3. Part 3 Supplemental

         1. Guidance by Commission

            1. 14. (1) The Electoral Commission (“ the Commission ”) may prepare,...

            2. 14A. (1) The Electoral Commission (“ the Commission ”) may prepare,...

         2. Power to amend Parts 1 and 2

            1. 15. (1) The Secretary of State may by order made by...

   9. SCHEDULE 4B

      Scottish local government elections: election expenses

      1. Part 1 List of matters

         1. 1. Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used). Expenses in...

         2. 2. Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by...

         3. 3. Transport (by any means) of persons to any place. Expenses...

         4. 4. Public meetings (of any kind). Expenses in respect of such...

         5. 5. The services of an election agent or any other person...

         6. 6. Accommodation and administrative costs.

      2. Part 2 General exclusions

         1. 7. The publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating...

         2. 8. The provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any...

         3. 9. The provision by an individual of his own services which...

         4. 10. (1) Accommodation which is the candidate's sole or main residence....

         5. 11. (1) Transport by a means of transport which was acquired...

         6. 12. (1) Computing or printing equipment which was acquired by the...

      3. PART 2A Guidance by the Electoral Commission

         1. 12A. (1) The Commission may prepare, and from time to time...

      4. Part 3 Power to amend Parts 1 and 2

         1. 13. (1) The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory...

   10. SCHEDULE 5

       Use for Parliamentary Election Meetings of Rooms in School Premises and of Meeting Rooms

       1. 1. (1) Any arrangements for the use of a room in...

       2. 2. (1) Every local authority shall prepare and revise for their...

       3. 3. (1) Every district in the London borough council and every...

       4. 4. The lists of rooms in school premises and of meeting...

       5. 5. In the event of a dissolution, or of a vacancy...

       6. 5A. In paragraphs 1 and 2 “local authority” has the meaning...

       7. 6. In the application of this Schedule to Scotland—

   11. SCHEDULE 6

       Ward Elections in the City

       1. 1. Without prejudice to the application of any provision of this...

       2. 2. Notwithstanding anything in section 6(1) of the City Act—

       3. 3. Ward lists and provisional ward lists shall give for any...

       4. 4. Claims and objections asking for the omission, insertion or alteration...

       5. 5. Any power under this Act to prescribe the form of...

       6. 6. Nothing in this Act affects the operation of . ....

   12. Schedule 6A

       List of countries for purposes of section 203A

       1. 1. Luxembourg.

       2. 2. Poland.

       3. 3. Portugal.

       4. 4. Spain.

       5. 5. Denmark

   13. SCHEDULE 7

       Transitional and Saving Provisions, and Interpretation of other Acts

       1. Part I Transitional and Saving Provisions

          1. General

             1. 1. Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...

             2. 2. The imposition or subsistence of an incapacity is not affected...

          2. Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962

             1. 3. . . . . . . . . . ....

          3. Licensing Act 1964

             1. 4. Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of section 24(2) of...

          4. Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

             1. 5. So far as sections 8(4) and 26 of this Act...

          5. Variation of limits of candidates’ election expenses

             1. 6. . . . . . . . . . ....

          6. Section 254 of the Local Government Act 1972

             1. 7. Any power exercisable under section 254 of the Local Government...

          7. Criminal Justice Act 1982

             1. 8. . . . . . . . . . ....

          8. Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982

             1. 9. . . . . . . . . . ....

       2. Part II Interpretation of Other Acts

          1. Register, electors, etc.

             1. 10. (1) A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to—

          2. Registration and returning officers

             1. 11. A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to—

          3. Registration expenses

             1. 12. A reference in any Act (whenever passed) to registration expenses...

          4. Supplemental

             1. 13. (1) Subject to this paragraph, the provisions of paragraphs 10...

   14. SCHEDULE 8

       Consequential Amendments Acts

       1. Public Meeting Act 1908

          1. 1. After subsection (3) of section 1 of the Public Meeting...

       2. City of London (Various Powers) Act 1957

          1. 2. In section 4 of the City of London (Various Powers)...

          2. 3. In section 8 of the City of London (Various Powers)...

          3. 4. In section 9(4) of the City of London (Various Powers)...

       3. City of London (Various Powers) Act 1960

          1. 5. In section 39 of the City of London (Various Powers)...

       4. London Government Act 1963

          1. 6. In Schedule 3 to the London Government Act 1963—

       5. Licensing Act 1964

          1. 7. In section 12(2) of the Licensing Act 1964 for “section...

          2. 8. In section 67(5) of the Licensing Act 1964 for “Representation...

          3. 9. In section 67(6) of the Licensing Act 1964—

          4. 10. In Schedule 8 to the Licensing Act 1964—

       6. Post Office Act 1969

          1. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

       7. Local Government Act 1972

          1. 12. In the following provisions of the Local Government Act 1972...

          2. 13. In section 89(6) of the Local Government Act 1972 for...

          3. 14. In paragraphs 18(5) and 34(5) of Schedule 12 to the...

       8. Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973

          1. 15. In the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973—

          2. 16. . . . . . . . . . ....

       9. Juries Act 1974

          1. 17. In section 3(1) of the Juries Act 1974, for “Representation...

       10. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975

           1. 18. In section 6(3) of the House of Commons Disqualification Act...

           2. 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

           3. 20. In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...

       11. European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978

           1. 21. In section 4(2) of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978—...

           2. 22. In paragraph (b) of section 7(2) of the European Parliamentary...

           3. 23. In paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 1 to the European Parliamentary...

       12. Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978

           1. 24. In paragraph (h) of section 35(2) of the Judicature (Northern...

           2. 25. In section 108(1) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978...

       13. Senior Courts Act 1981

           1. 26. In section 142(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 ,...

       14. Mental Health (Amendment) Act 1982

           1. 27. . . . . . . . . . ....

       15. Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

           1. 28. In Schedule 1 to the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance...

   15. SCHEDULE 9

       Repeals and Revocations

       1. Part I Repeals of Obsolete Provisions

       2. Part II Consequential Repeals

       3. Part III Consequential Revocations