Government of Wales Act 1998

36 Polls for ascertaining views of the public

(1) The Assembly may hold a poll in an area consisting of Wales or any part (or parts) of Wales for the purpose of ascertaining the views of those polled about whether or how any of the Assembly’s functions (other than those under section 33) should be exercised.

(2) The persons entitled to vote in a poll under this section are those who—

(a) would be entitled to vote as electors at a local government election in an electoral area wholly or partly included in the area in which the poll is held, and

(b) are registered in the register of local government electors at an address within the area in which the poll is held.

(3) The Assembly may not delegate the function of deciding—

(a) whether to hold a poll under this section,

(b) when, and in which area, a poll is to be held, and

(c) the wording of any questions or propositions to be put to those polled.

(4) The Assembly may by order make provision as to the conduct of polls (or any poll) under this section.

(5) The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the combination of polls (or any poll) under this section with polls at any elections.

(6) An order under subsection (4) or (5) may apply or incorporate, with or without modifications or exceptions, any provision of or made under any enactment relating to any elections; and the provision which may be made under subsection (4) includes, in particular, provision for disregarding alterations in a register of electors.

(7) The costs of polls under this section shall be met by the Assembly.