For regulation 4 (additional provision concerning the requirement that an application for an absent vote must be signed by the applicant), substitute–

“Additional provisions concerning the requirement that an application for an absent vote must be signed by the applicant and state the applicant’s date of birth4.

The registration officer may confirm–

(a)

whether an application under Schedule 4 meets any requirement that it has been signed by the applicant and states the applicant’s date of birth by referring to any signature and date of birth–

(i)

previously provided by the applicant to the registration officer or the returning officer; or

(ii)

previously provided by the applicant to the council by which the registration officer was appointed or a registrar of births, deaths and marriages, if held by the council or registrar in records which the registration officer is authorised to inspect for the purposes of that officer’s registration duties;

(b)

whether the applicant is unable to provide a signature or a consistent signature due to any disability or inability to read or write.”.