Representation of the People Act 1983

Part I U.K. Provisions as to Time

Timetable U.K.

1 The proceedings at the election shall be conducted in accordance with the following Table.

Timetable

Proceeding	Time
Issue of Writ	In the case of a general election, as soon as practicable after the issue of the proclamation summoning the new Parliament.
	In the case of a by-election, as soon as practicable after the issue of the warrant for the writ.
Publication of notice of election.	In the case of a general election or by-election, not later than 4 in the afternoon on the second day after that on which the writ is received.
Delivery of nomination papers.	In the case of a general election, between the hours of 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon on any day after the date of publication of the notice of election, but not later than the sixth day after the date of the proclamation summoning the new Parliament.
	In the case of a by-election, the same as in the case of a general election, except that the last day shall be a day fixed by the returning officer and shall be not earlier than the third day after the date of publication of the notice of election nor later than the seventh day after that on which the writ is received.
Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature.	Within the time for the delivery of nomination papers at the election.
The making of objections to nomination papers.	In the case of a general election or a by-election, during the hours allowed for delivery of nomination papers on the last day for their delivery and the hour following; but—
	(a) no objection may be made in the afternoon of that last day except to a nomination paper delivered within 24 hours of the last time for its delivery, and in the case of a nomination paper so delivered no objection may be so made to the sufficiency or nature of the particulars of the candidate unless made at or immediately after the time of the delivery of the nomination paper; and
	(b) the foregoing provisions do not apply to objections made in pursuance of rule 15(2).
Publication of statement of persons nominated.	In the case of a general election or a by-election, at the close of the time for making objections to nomination papers or as soon afterwards as any objections are disposed of.
Polling	In the case of a general election, between the hours of 7 in the morning and 10 at night on the [F1 eleventh] day after the last day for delivery of nomination papers.
	In the case of a by-election, between the hours of 7 in the morning and 10 at night on the day fixed by the returning officer, which shall not be earlier than the [F2 ninth] nor later than the [F2 eleventh] day after the last day for delivery of nomination papers.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 73(a)

F2 Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 73(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 rule 1 applied with modifications (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2 Sch. 1 rule 1 applied with modifications (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C3 Sch. 1 rule 1 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

Sch. 1 rule 1 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (as amended (20.3.2003) by Northern Ireland Assembly Elections Act 2003 (c. 3), s. 1(6))

C4 Sch. 1 rule 1 amended (E.W.) (1.4.2004) by European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Act 2004 (c. 2), s. 8, Sch. para. 1

Computation of time U.K.

2 (1) In computing any period of time for the purposes of the Timetable—

(a) a Saturday or Sunday,

[F3 (b) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday or a bank holiday]

(c) a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning,

shall be disregarded, and any such day shall not be treated as a day for the purpose of any proceedings up to the completion of the poll nor shall the returning officer be obliged to proceed with the counting of the votes on such a day.

(2) In this rule “bank holiday” means—

(a) in relation to a general election, a day which is a bank holiday under the M1 Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in any part of the United Kingdom,

(b) in relation to a by-election, a day which is a bank holiday under that Act in that part of the United Kingdom in which the constituency is situated,

but at a general election sub-paragraph (b) and not sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph applies in relation to any proceedings—

(i) commenced afresh by reason of a candidate’s death; and

(ii) extending, by reason of riot or open violence, beyond the time laid down by the Timetable.

F4 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 1 rule 2(1)(b) substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 19(5)(a)

F4 Sch. 1 rule 2(3) repealed by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), ss. 19(5)(b), Sch. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C6 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C7 Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

Sch. 1 rule 2 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

Marginal Citations

M1 1971 c. 80.