European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Act 2004

1 Piloting conduct at European and local elections

(1) An election to which this section applies (a pilot election) must be held—

(a) only by postal voting, and (for that purpose);

(b) in accordance with provision made by the Secretary of State by order (a pilot order).

(2) These are the elections to which this section applies—

(a) the European Parliamentary general election of 2004 in a pilot region;

(b) a local government election in England and Wales if the poll at such an election is combined with the poll at an election mentioned in paragraph (a).

(3) These are the pilot regions—

(a) North East;

(b) East Midlands;

(c) Yorkshire and the Humber;

(d) North West.

(4) Postal voting is voting where no polling station is used and a person entitled to vote in person or by proxy must deliver by post or by such other means as is specified in a pilot order—

(a) the ballot paper, and

(b) the completed declaration of identity form.

(5) The declaration of identity form is a form which is delivered along with the ballot paper and which is completed by being signed—

(a) by the person to whom the ballot paper is addressed, and

(b) by a witness to that signing whose name and address are clearly marked on the form.

(6) The declaration of identity must contain a statement advising the voter that the ballot paper should be completed by him—

(a) outside the presence of any other person, or

(b) in the case of a voter who requires assistance, in accordance with such advice as is provided for in the pilot order.

(7) A pilot order—

(a) may modify or disapply any provision made by or under a relevant enactment;

(b) may contain such consequential, incidental, supplementary or transitional provision or savings (including provision amending, replacing, suspending or revoking provision made by or under any enactment) as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate;

(c) may make different provision for different purposes.