Representation of the People Act 1983

Valid from 01/01/2007

[F1 9B Anonymous registration E+W+S

(1) This section applies if an application for registration in a register of parliamentary electors or local government electors is made in accordance with the requirements prescribed for the purposes of section 10A(1)(a) below and is accompanied by—

(a) an application under this section made in accordance with prescribed requirements (an application for an anonymous entry),

(b) a declaration made in accordance with such requirements for the purposes of this section, and

(c) such evidence in support of the application for an anonymous entry as may be prescribed.

(2) If the registration officer determines that the person is entitled to be registered, he must also determine whether the safety test is satisfied.

(3) If the registration officer determines that the safety test is satisfied—

(a) section 9(2) above does not apply in relation to the person; and

(b) the person's entry in the register shall instead contain letters in the prescribed form and his electoral number.

(4) An entry containing the matters mentioned in subsection (3)(b) above is referred to in this Act as an anonymous entry.

(5) If an anonymous entry is made in respect of a person, the registration officer shall remove any other entry in the register for that person.

(6) If the registration officer does not determine that the safety test is satisfied, no entry is to be made in respect of him in the register (whether an anonymous entry or otherwise).

(7) Subsection (6) above does not affect—

(a) any other entry in the register for the person;

(b) the determination of any further application for registration which is made by the person (including an application which is treated as having been made by him by virtue of section 10A(2) below).

(8) Any communication sent by a registration officer or the returning officer for any election to a person who has an anonymous entry (A) must be sent in an envelope or other form of covering so as not to disclose to any other person that A has an anonymous entry.

(9) Subsection (8) does not apply to a communication relating only to a local government election in Scotland.

(10) The safety test is satisfied if the safety of the applicant for an anonymous entry or that of any other person of the same household would be at risk if the register contains the name of the applicant or his qualifying address.

(11) In this section, “determines” means determines in accordance with regulations.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 9B, 9C inserted (E.W.S.) (1.1.2007) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 10(1), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 1 (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2)