1Referendum on the alternative vote systemU.K.
(1)A referendum is to be held on the voting system for parliamentary elections.
(2)The referendum must be held before 31 October 2011.
(3)The referendum is to be held on 5 May 2011 unless before then an order is made under subsection (4).
(4)If the Minister is satisfied that it is impossible or impracticable for the referendum to be held on 5 May 2011, or that it cannot be conducted properly if held on that day, the Minister may by order appoint a later day as the day on which the referendum is to be held.
(5)Where a day is appointed under subsection (4), the Minister may by order make supplemental or consequential provision, including provision modifying or amending this Act or another enactment (and, in particular, provision modifying or amending this Act as regards the meaning of “voting area” or “counting officer”).
(6)An order under this section may not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
(7)The question that is to appear on the ballot papers is—
“At present, the UK uses the “first past the post” system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the “alternative vote” system be used instead?”
(8)In Wales, the following Welsh version of the question is also to appear on the ballot papers—
“Ar hyn o bryd, mae'r DU yn defnyddio'r system “y cyntaf i'r felin” i ethol ASau i Dŷ'r Cyffredin. A ddylid defnyddio'r system “pleidlais amgen” yn lle hynny?”
(9)Schedule 1 has effect in relation to the referendum.