The Representation of the People (Scotland) (Description of Electoral Registers and Amendment) Regulations 2013

Amendments in relation to forwarding of documents

38.  After regulation 91 insert—

“91A.    Forwarding of documents

(1) Before the returning officer seals up the counted and rejected ballot papers as provided by rule 54 of the elections rules, the returning officer must—

(a) where any list compiled under regulation 87(4) relates to a constituency contained within a single local government area, send a copy of the list to the registration officer for that local government area;

(b) where any list compiled under regulation 87(4) relates to a constituency which comprises any part of more than one local government area, send a copy of such extracts of the list as are relevant to each of the registration officers for those local government areas.

(2) A registration officer may only use the information sent in accordance with paragraph (1) for the purposes of notifying voters in accordance with regulation 61C and requiring fresh signatures to be provided in accordance with regulation 60B.

(3) Rule 56 of the elections rules, as modified by rule 58 of those rules, shall apply to the copy of the list, or extracts of the list, sent in accordance with paragraph (1) as if—

(a) references in rule 56 to counted ballot papers in the custody of the returning officer were to references to the copy of the list, or extracts of the list, sent to a registration officer in accordance with paragraph (1);

(b) references to the returning officer (as modified by rule 58 of the elections rules) were to references to a registration officer who was sent a list, or extracts of a list, provided in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4) Except as provided for by virtue of paragraph (3), no other person shall be allowed to inspect the copy of the list, or extracts of the list, sent to a registration officer in accordance with paragraph (1).

(5) The registration officer must cause the copy of the list, or extracts of the list, sent in accordance with paragraph (1) to be destroyed—

(a) as soon as practicable after the registration officer has complied with the requirements of regulation 61C, and issued any notices under regulation 60B, in relation to the information provided in the copy of the list, or extracts of the list; and

(b) in any event, within 4 months of receipt.”.