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Representation of the People Act 1983, Paragraph 38 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 23 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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38(1)[F1Subject to paragraph (1A) below, the] presiding officer, on the application of a voter—U.K.
(a)who is incapacitated by blindness or other [F2disability] from voting in manner directed by these rules, or
(b)who declares orally that he is unable to read,
shall, in the presence of the polling agents, cause the voter’s vote to be marked on a ballot paper in manner directed by the voter, and the ballot paper to be placed in the ballot box.
[F3(1A)The relevant paragraphs of rule 37 apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) above as they apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 37(1), but as if—
(a)references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to causing a voter’s vote to be marked on a ballot paper, and
(b)in rule 37(1G) as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland, and in rule 37(1DB) as it extends to Northern Ireland, the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 37 were to paragraph (1) of this rule.
(1B)In paragraph (1A), “the relevant paragraphs of rule 37” means—
(a)paragraphs (1A) to (1T) of rule 37 as it extends to England and Wales and to Scotland;
(b)paragraphs (1A) to (1G) of rule 37 as it extends to Northern Ireland.]
(2)The name and number on the register of electors of every voter whose vote is marked in pursuance of this rule, and the reason why it is so marked, shall be entered on a list (in these rules called “the list of votes marked by the presiding officer”).
In the case of a person voting as proxy for an elector, the number to be entered together with the voter’s name shall be the elector’s number.
[F4(3)In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of this Act, paragraph (2) above applies as if for “on the register of electors of every voter” there were substituted relating to every voter in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D).]
[F5(4)In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13BA(9), paragraph (2) applies as if for “on the register of electors of every voter” there were substituted “relating to every voter in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13BA(9)”.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words substituted (N.I.) by Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 2(3)(b)
F2Word in Sch. 1 rule 38(1)(a) substituted (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 47, 77, Sch. 1 para. 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(w)(bb)(iii) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 4
F3Sch. 1 rules 38(1A)(1B) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 38(1A) (16.1.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), s. 67(1), Sch. 1 para. 19; S.I. 2022/1401, reg. 2(d)(x) (with reg. 3(1))
F4Sch. 1 rule 38(3) inserted (E.W.S.) (1.1.2007) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 11(6), 77, Sch. 1 para. 35; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 paras. 2, 12(b) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2)
F5Sch. 1 rule 38(4) inserted (14.5.2008) by Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 33), ss. 30(1), 31, Sch. 4 para. 6(5); S.I. 2008/1318, art. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Sch. 1 rule 38 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I
C2Sch. 1 rule 38 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I
C3Sch. 1 rule 38 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(b)(5)-(8), Sch. 1
Sch. 1 rule 38 applied (N.I.) (25.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/1126, art. 6, Sch. 2
C4Sch. 1 rule 38 applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by 1997 c. 61, s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 13 Table 2
Sch. 1 rule 38 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)
C5Sch. 1 rule 38 applied (with modifications) (16.1.2023) by S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 (as amended by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), s. 67(1), Sch. 6 para. 43; S.I. 2022/1401, reg. 2(f)(xii) (with reg. 3(1)))
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