Electoral Administration Act 2006

19 Nomination procedures

(1) Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 1 (timetable), in the entry in the second column in respect of “Publication of statement of persons nominated”, for the words from “at the close of” to the end substitute “—

(a) if no objections to nomination papers are made, at the close of the time for doing so, or

(b) if any such objections are made, not before they are disposed of but not later than 24 hours after the last time for delivery of nomination papers.”

(3) In rule 5 (notice of election), after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) The notice of election must also state the arrangements which apply for the payment of the deposit required by rule 9 below to be made by means of the electronic transfer of funds.”

(4) In rule 6 (nomination of candidates), in paragraph (3)(a)—

(a) the words “(of not more than 6 words in length)” are omitted;

(b) after “rule 6A(1)” insert “or (1B)”.

(5) In rule 9 (deposit), in paragraph (2)(c) after “manner” insert “(including by means of a debit or credit card or the electronic transfer of funds)”.

(6) In rule 12 (validity of nomination papers), in paragraph (3) for the words from “as soon as practicable” to the end substitute “—

(a) as soon as practicable after it is made, and

(b) in any event, before the end of the period of 24 hours starting with the close of the period for delivery of nomination papers set out in the Table in rule 1.”

(7) In that rule, in paragraph (3A) for the words from “as soon as practicable” to the end substitute “—

(a) as soon as practicable after delivery of the nomination paper, and

(b) in any event, before the end of the period of 24 hours starting with the close of the period for delivery of nomination papers set out in the Table in rule 1.”

(8) After rule 14 insert—

“Correction of minor errors

14A (1) A returning officer may, if he thinks fit, at any time before the publication under rule 14 above of the statement of persons nominated, correct minor errors in a nomination paper.

(2) Errors which may be corrected include—

(a) errors as to a person’s electoral number;

(b) obvious errors of spelling in relation to the details of a candidate.

(3) Anything done by a returning officer in pursuance of this rule must not be questioned in any proceedings other than proceedings on an election petition.

(4) A returning officer must have regard to any guidance issued by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of this rule.”