A ballot on a political resolution must be held in accordance with rules of the trade union (its “political ballot rules”) approved by the Certification Officer.

Fresh approval is required for the purposes of each ballot which it is proposed to hold, notwithstanding that the rules have been approved for the purposes of an earlier ballot.

The Certification Officer shall not approve a union's political ballot rules unless he is satisfied that the requirements set out in—

• Article 49 (appointment of independent scrutineer),

• Article 50 (entitlement to vote),

• Article 51 (voting),

• Article 52 (counting of votes etc. by independent person), and

• Article 53 (scrutineer's report),

would be satisfied in relation to a ballot held by the union in accordance with the rules.