Representation of the People Act 1983

Directions as to printing the ballot paper U.K.

1 U.K. Nothing is to be printed on the ballot paper except in accordance with these directions.

2 U.K. So far as practicable, the following arrangements shall be observed in the printing of the ballot paper—

(a) no word shall be printed on the face [F1 except the direction to vote for one candidate only][F2 , the particulars of the candidates and words forming part of emblems];

(b) no rule shall be printed on the face except [F3 the horizontal rule separating the direction mentioned in paragraph (a) above from the particulars of the candidates and] the horizontal rules separating the particulars of the candidates from one another and the vertical rules separating those particulars from the numbers on the lefthand side and the spaces on the right where the vote is to be marked;

(c) the whole space between the top and bottom of the paper shall be equally divided between [F4 the direction mentioned in paragraph (a) above and each of the candidates by the horizontal rules mentioned in paragraph (b) above].

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 Appendix of Forms, Directions as to printing the ballot paper: words in para. 2(a) substituted (21.12.1993) by 1993 c. 38, ss. 35(4), 36(1)

F2 Sch. 1 Appendix of Forms, Directions as to printing the ballot paper: words in para. 2(a) substituted (24.3.1999) by 1998 c. 48, s. 13, Sch. 2 para. 6(a); S.I. 1999/393, art. 2

F3 Words inserted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 85(b)

F4 Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 85(c)

[F5 2A U.K. The direction mentioned in paragraph 2(a) above shall be printed in large capitals.]

Textual Amendments

F5 Sch. 1 Appendix of Forms, Directions as to printing the ballot paper: para. 2A inserted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 85(d)

Valid from 01/01/2007

[F6 2B U.K. Nothing in paragraph 2 prohibits the face of the ballot paper containing more than one column of numbers, candidates particulars and spaces where the vote is to be marked if the returning officer thinks it is appropriate for the ballot paper to be printed with more than one column, but in such a case each column must be separated by a double vertical rule.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Sch. 1 Appendix of Forms, Directions as to printing the ballot paper: para. 2B inserted (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 30(3), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(n) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2, 4

3 The surname of each candidate shall in all cases be printed by itself in large capitals, and his full particulars shall be set out below it and shall be printed in ordinary type except that small capitals shall be used—

(a) if his surname is the same as another candidate’s, for his other names; and

(b) if his other names are also the same as the other candidate’s, either for his home address or for his description unless each of them is the same as that of another candidate with the same surname and other names.

[F7 3A U.K. Where an emblem is to be printed against a candidate’s particulars—

(a) it shall be printed between the candidate’s particulars and the vertical rule separating the candidates’ particulars from the spaces where the vote is to be marked, and

(b) its size as printed shall not exceed two centimetres square.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Sch. 1 Appendix of Forms, Directions as to printing the ballot paper: para. 3A inserted (24.3.1999) by 1998 c. 48, s. 13, Sch. 2 para. 6(b); S.I. 1999/393, art. 2

4 The number on the back of the ballot paper shall be printed in small characters.