The Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

Amendment of the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012

12.  In paragraph 16C (power to request additional evidence in relation to absent vote applications where registration officer considers it necessary) of Schedule 2 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (absent voting at PCC elections)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (5), substitute—

“(5) If an applicant is unable to give the documentary evidence required under paragraphs (2) to (4), the registration officer may require that the applicant give an attestation which must—

(a) confirm that the applicant is the person named in the application;

(b) state that the person signing the attestation is aware of the penalty for providing false information to a registration officer;

(c) be in writing and signed by a person—

(i) whom the registration officer is satisfied is of good standing in the community;

(ii) who is registered as an elector in a local authority area in England or Wales;

(iii) who is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the applicant; and

(iv) who has not already signed a relevant identity attestation for two other applicants since, whichever is the later,—

(aa) the date on which the revised register in which that person’s name appears was last published under section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, or

(bb) the date on which a notice specifying that person’s entry in the register was issued under (as the case may be) section 13A(2), 13AB(2), 13B or 13BC of that Act (and if there has been more than one such notice, the date on which the last one was issued);

(d) state the full name, date of birth, address, electoral number and occupation of the person signing the attestation; and

(e) state the date on which it is made.”;

(b) omit sub-paragraph (6);

(c) in sub-paragraph (7)—

(i) in the opening words, for “(6)(d)”, substitute “(5)(c)(iv)”;

(ii) in paragraphs (b) and (c), for “26B(6) or 56C(6)”, substitute “26B(6) or (6ZA) or 56C(5A) or (6)”;

(iii) in paragraph (d), for “72B(6)”, substitute “72B(5A) or (6)”.