Representation of the People Act 1983

166 Votes to be struck off for corrupt or illegal practices. U.K.

(1) Where, on a parliamentary election petition claiming the seat for any person, a candidate is proved to have been guilty by himself, or by any person on his behalf, of bribery, treating or undue influence in respect of any person who voted at the election there shall, on a scrutiny, be struck off from the number of votes appearing to have been given to the candidate one vote for every person who voted at the election and is proved to have been so bribed, treated or unduly influenced.

(2) If any person who is guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice or of illegal payment, employment or hiring at an election votes at the election, his vote shall be void.

(3) If any person who is subject under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices to an incapacity to vote at a parliamentary election or an election to any [F1 elective office or to any public office in Scotland] votes at that election, his vote shall be void.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 166(3) substituted (16.2.2001) by 2000 c. 41, s. 137, Sch. 17 para. 9, (with s. 156(6)); S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (with Sch. 1 Pt. II)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 166 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)-(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

S. 166 applied (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C2 S. 166 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(b)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

S. 166 applied (with modifications) (11.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/787, art. 85(1)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. I (which S.I. was revoked (21.11.2002 except for specified purposes) by S.I. 2002/2779, arts. 1, 2 (which S.I. was revoked (15.3.2007) by S.I. 2007/937, art. 2(a)))

S. 166 applied (with modifications) (21.11.2002 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2779), arts. 1, 81, Sch. 6 Pt. I (which S.I. was revoked (15.3.2007) by S.I. 2007/937, art. 2(a))

S. 166 applied (with modifications) (15.3.2007 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/937), arts. 1, 83, Sch. 6 Pt. I

C3 S. 166(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3(1), Sch. 1