Representation of the People Act 1983

[F110B.Register of electors in Northern Ireland: digital registration numberU.K.

(1)Where, following receipt of an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service, the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland determines that the applicant is entitled to be registered in the register, the Chief Electoral Officer shall allocate a unique reference number (“a digital registration number”) to the applicant, if no such number has previously been allocated to that person.

(2)Subsection (3) applies—

(a)where a digital registration number has been allocated to an applicant under subsection (1), or

(b)where, following an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service by a person to whom a digital registration number has previously been allocated, the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the applicant’s registration in the register is to be amended in accordance with the application.

(3)Where this subsection applies, the Chief Electoral Officer shall send the applicant a notification by post of the digital registration number allocated to that applicant together with an explanation of—

(a)the fact that the digital registration number is required for an application for an absent vote pursuant to section 6(1)(bba)(ii) or 7(1)(bba)(ii) of the Representation of the People Act 1985, and

(b)how a further notification of the digital registration number may be obtained if the applicant requires it.

(4)If, after a notification has been sent to a person under subsection (3) or a further notification issued under subsection (6), the person requires a further notification of the digital registration number the person may apply to the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for a further notification of the number.

(5)An application under subsection (4) must set out—

(a)the applicant’s—

(i)name,

(ii)date of birth, and

(iii)national insurance number or a statement that the applicant does not have one (giving the reason why), and

(b)the address in respect of which the applicant is, or has applied to be, registered.

(6)Where the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is satisfied that the information contained in an application under subsection (4) corresponds with the information held by the Chief Electoral Officer in relation to the applicant, the Chief Electoral Officer shall issue a further notification of the digital registration number to the applicant.

(7)A further notification under subsection (6) shall be issued by—

(a)giving it to the applicant in person, or

(b)sending it to the applicant—

(i)by post, or

(ii)if the applicant has given an email address in the application for registration, by email to that address.

(8)A notification or further notification by post pursuant to subsection (3) or (7)(b)(i) shall be sent—

(a)in the case of a person who is registered, or has made an application for registration, in pursuance of a service declaration, to the address given on the application form as the person’s present address or, if the Chief Electoral Officer is satisfied the applicant has moved to another address, to that address, or

(b)in any other case, to the address in respect of which the person is, or is entitled to be, registered.

(9)In this section, “the UK digital service” has the same meaning as in section 10ZF, and references to an application for registration submitted through the UK digital service shall be construed in accordance with subsection (4) of that section.]