The Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024

Insertion of regulations 23A to 23C (renewal declarations: reminders, contents and notification)

8.  After regulation 23 insert—

“Reminders to electors registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration

23A.— (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a person (“P”) who is registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the registration officer must, during the relevant period, send to P a reminder in writing of the need to make a renewal declaration if P wishes to remain registered in pursuance of the overseas elector’s declaration.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply or ceases to apply where the registration officer has received—

(a) a renewal declaration from P, or

(b) information which indicates that P is no longer entitled to make a renewal declaration.

(4) In paragraph (2), “relevant period” means the period—

(a) beginning with 1st July of the year in which P’s registration is due to end in accordance with section 1D(1)(a) or (3)(a) of the 1985 Act(1), and

(b) ending with 1st October of that year.

Renewal declarations

23B.— (1) A renewal declaration must include, in addition to the information required or permitted by section 1E of the 1985 Act—

(a) the declarant’s national insurance number, and

(b) the declarant’s present address.

(2) A renewal declaration must be in writing and be signed by the declarant.

Notification about continued registration as an overseas elector following renewal declaration

23C.— (1) Where the registration officer is satisfied that a person making a renewal declaration (“the declarant”) is entitled to remain registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, the registration officer must notify the declarant of that fact.

(2) Where the registration officer is not so satisfied, the registration officer must notify the declarant of that fact together with the registration officer’s reasons for not being so satisfied.”.

(1)

Section 1D was substituted by section 14(1) of the Elections Act 2022. By virtue of section 1D(1)(a) and (3)(a), the registration of a person registered pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration ends (unless a specified event occurs) on the third 1st November following the date when the person’s entry on the electoral register takes effect or, if that initial registration period is extended on one or more occasions, on the third 1st November following the day after the last day of the initial or further registration period.