The Representation of the People (Electronic Communications and Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020

Section 10B (register of electors in Northern Ireland: digital registration number)

7.—(1) Section 10B(1) is amended as follows.

(2) For subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) Where a person meets the condition in subsection (1A) or the condition in subsection (1B), the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland shall allocate a unique reference number (a “digital registration number”) to the person if no such number has previously been allocated to that person.

(1A) A person meets the condition in this subsection if, following receipt of an application for registration made by the person in respect of an address in Northern Ireland and submitted through the UK digital service, the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person is entitled to be registered in the register.

(1B) A person meets the condition in this subsection if—

(a) in connection with a canvass under section 10 above, the form completed in respect of any address specifies the person as a person who is entitled to be registered in a register,

(b) the form is submitted through the UK digital service,

(c) section 10A(2) above does not apply, and

(d) following receipt of the form, the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person is entitled to be registered in the register.”.

(3) In subsection (2)—

(a) in paragraph (a)—

(i) for “an applicant” substitute “a person”;

(ii) at the end omit “or”;

(b) for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) where, following—

(i) an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service by a person to whom a digital registration number has previously been issued, or

(ii) (where section 10A(2) above does not apply) the submission of a form in connection with a canvass under section 10 above through the UK digital service by such a person,

the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person’s registration in the register is to be amended in accordance with the application or form, or”;

(c) after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c) where, following—

(i) an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service by a person to whom a digital registration number has previously been issued, or

(ii) the submission of a form in connection with a canvass under section 10 above through the UK digital service by such a person,

the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person’s registration in the register is not to be amended in accordance with the application or form.”.

(4) In subsection (3)—

(a) in each place it occurs, for “applicant” substitute “person”;

(b) for “by post” substitute “by the appropriate method (see subsection (3A))”.

(5) After subsection (3) insert—

“(3A) In subsection (3), “by the appropriate method” means—

(a) in a case falling within subsection (2)(a) or (b), by post;

(b) in a case falling within subsection (2)(c) —

(i) by post, or

(ii) if the person has given an email address in the application or form, by email to that address.”.

(6) In subsection (7)(b)(ii), for “the application for registration” substitute “an application or form mentioned in subsection (1A), (1B) or (2)”.

(7) In subsection (9), after “references to” insert “a form or”.

(1)

Section 10B was inserted by S.I. 2018/699.