Representation of the People Act 1985

4 Extension of franchise: consequential amendments. U.K.

(1) In section 9(2) of the principal Act (combined register to indicate those registered only as local government electors) after the words “only as” there shall be inserted the words “parliamentary electors or”.

(2) In section 10 of that Act (preparation of registers)—

(a) in paragraph (a) (inquiry as to persons entitled to be registered except in pursuance of service declaration) after the word “declaration” there shall be inserted the words “patient’s declaration or overseas elector’s declaration”; and

(b) in paragraph (b) (preparation of lists of those entitled to be registered together with their qualifying addresses) for the words “together with” there shall be substituted the words “and, subject to any prescribed exceptions”.

(3) In section 12(1) of that Act (right to be registered, subject to exceptions) in paragraph (a) after the word “qualification” there shall be inserted—

“(aa) section 2(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1985”.

(4) In section 49 of that Act (effect of registers) in subsection (5) in paragraph (a) and paragraph (i) after the word “Ireland” there shall be inserted the words “or, in the case of a person registered as a parliamentary elector in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, a British citizen”.

(5) In section 202 of that Act (interpretation) before the definition of “parliamentary election petition” there shall be inserted the following definition—

““overseas elector’s declaration” has the meaning given by section 2 of the Representation of the People Act 1985”.

(6) In Schedule 1 to that Act in rule 28 (issue of poll cards) at the end of paragraph (1) there shall be inserted the words “and a card shall not be sent to any person registered, or to be registered, in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration”.

(7) In Schedule 2 to that Act (regulations as to registration)—

(a) at the end of paragraph 4 there shall be inserted—

“(2) Provisions as to the manner in which overseas electors’ declarations, and applications from persons making such declarations, are to be transmitted to the registration officer.”; and

(b) after paragraph 5(1) there shall be inserted—

“(1A) Provisions as to the evidence which shall or may be required, or be deemed sufficient or conclusive evidence, of a person satisfying any of the requirements for qualifying as an overseas elector in respect of any constituency.”