- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (22/03/2013)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 10/03/2015
Point in time view as at 22/03/2013.
Representation of the People Act 1983, Cross Heading: Directions as to printing the ballot paper is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 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.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
1U.K. Nothing is to be printed on the ballot paper except in accordance with these directions.
2U.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 [F1except 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 [F3the 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 [F4the direction mentioned in paragraph (a) above and each of the candidates by the horizontal rules mentioned in paragraph (b) above].
Textual Amendments
F1Sch. 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)
F2Sch. 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
F3Words inserted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 85(b)
F4Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 85(c)
[F52AU.K.The direction mentioned in paragraph 2(a) above shall be printed in large capitals.]
Textual Amendments
F5Sch. 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)
[F62BU.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
F6Sch. 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
3U.K. 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 [F7(or the constituency in which that address is situated)] or for his description unless each of them is the same as that of another candidate with the same surname and other names.
Textual Amendments
F7Sch. 1 Appendix of Forms, Directions as to printing the ballot paper: words in para. 3(b) inserted (4.9.2009) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), ss. 39, 43(1), Sch. 6 para. 8(6)(c); S.I. 2009/2395, art. 2 (with art. 3)
[F83AU.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.]
[F94U.K.The number and other unique identifying mark may be printed close to each other on the back of the ballot paper.]
Textual Amendments
F9Sch. 1 Appendix of Forms, Directions as to printing the ballot paper: para. 4 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. 93(2); 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
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: