European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Act 2004

2 Pilot order

(1) This section has effect in relation to a pilot order.

(2) A pilot order may make provision for conduct which differs from that provided for by or under a relevant enactment.

(3) The pilot order must specify the form and content of the declaration of identity form.

(4) A pilot order must make provision requiring the returning officer to provide (before the close of the poll at a pilot election) polling progress information—

(a) to such persons or organisations as are specified in the order or are of such descriptions as are so specified, and

(b) at such times and in such circumstances as are so specified.

(5) Polling progress information is information as to the electors by whom it appears to the returning officer at the time the information is provided that a vote has been cast.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) the returning officer must be taken not to have seen the contents of any ballot paper.

(7) The returning officer is the person who is described as such in the order.

(8) The Secretary of State must send a copy of a pilot order relating to a pilot region to—

(a) each relevant local authority in the region;

(b) the Electoral Commission;

(c) the person who is by virtue of section 6 of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 (c. 24) the returning officer for the region.

(9) A local authority to whom a copy of a pilot order is sent must publish the order in their area in such manner as they think fit.

(10) The Secretary of State must not make a pilot order unless he first consults the Electoral Commission.

(11) It is immaterial whether such consultation occurs before or after the passing of this Act.