(1)Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (combination of polls at parliamentary, European Parliamentary and local elections) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)—
(a)after paragraph (b) omit “or”;
(b)after paragraph (c) insert—
“(d)a Scottish Parliamentary general election and a parliamentary general election; or
(e)a Scottish Parliamentary general election and a European Parliamentary general election,”.
(3)In subsection (3), after “includes” insert “Scottish Parliamentary elections and”.
(4)After subsection (3) insert—
“(3ZA)But subsection (2) does not confer power on a returning officer to determine that a Scottish Parliamentary election and a local government election in Scotland are to be taken together.”
(5)After subsection (5B) insert—
“(5C)Before making provision under subsection (5) in connection with the combination of polls where one of the elections is a Scottish Parliamentary election or a local government election in Scotland, the Secretary of State must consult the Scottish Ministers.”
(6)In the heading of the section, before “European” insert “Scottish Parliamentary,”.