Representation of the People Act 1985

15 Combination of polls at parliamentary, [F1 European Parliamentary] and local elections. U.K.

(1) Where the polls at—

(a) a parliamentary general election and an [F1 European Parliamentary] general election;

(b) an ordinary local government election and a parliamentary general election; or

(c) an ordinary local government election and an [F1 European Parliamentary] general election,

are to be taken on the same date, they shall be taken together.

(2) Where the polls at elections for related areas are to be taken on the same date but are not required by subsection (1) above or section 36 of the principal Act to be taken together, they may nevertheless be so taken if the returning officer for each election thinks fit.

(3) In subsection (2) above the reference to elections includes [F1 European Parliamentary] elections but does not include elections under the local government Act which are not local government elections; and for the purposes of that subsection two areas are related if one is coterminous with or situated wholly or partly within the other.

(4) Where the polls at any elections are combined under this section the cost of taking the combined polls (excluding any cost solely attributable to one election) and any cost attributable to their combination shall be apportioned equally among the elections.

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as he thinks fit in connection with the combining of polls at any elections under this section including provision modifying the Representation of the People Acts in relation to such elections.

[F2 (5A) The power under subsection (5) above to make provision in connection with the combining under this section of polls at—

(a) a local government election in England and Wales, and

(b) the European Parliamentary general election in 2004,

includes power to make provision modifying, in relation to such elections, any enactment relating to election of members of the European Parliament or any instrument made under any such enactment or under the Representation of the People Acts.]

[F3 (6) In its application to Northern Ireland, subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the references to an ordinary local government election were to a local election.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words substituted retrospectively by virtue of European Communities (Amendment) Act 1986 (c. 58, SIF 29:5), s. 3(1)(b)(3)

F2 S. 15(5A) inserted (18.9.2003) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 127(1), 128, Sch. 7 para. 7(1)

F3 S. 15(6) inserted (10.4.2001) by 2001 c. 7, s. 3(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 15 applied (with modifications) (2.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1298, reg. 16(6), Sch. 5 Pt. I Table (as amended (E.) (13.3.2004) by S.I. 2004/226, reg. 2(7), Sch.)

S. 15 extended (N.I.) (10.4.2001) by 2001 c. 7, s. 3(1)

C2 S. 15 applied (with modifications) (28.7.2007) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2089), regs. 1(2), 8, 11, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Table 2

C3 S. 15(4) excluded (10.4.2001) by S.I. 2001 c. 7, s. 5(2)

C4 S. 15(5) extended (10.4.2001) by 2001 c. 7, s. 4, Sch. para. 32

C5 S. 15(5) extended (Gibraltar) (18.9.2003) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 127(1), 128, Sch. 7 para. 7(2)