PART 1Individual electoral registration in Great Britain
5Invitations to register
1
After section 9D of the Representation of the People Act 1983 insert—
9EMaintenance of registers: invitations to register in Great Britain
1
A registration officer in Great Britain must give a person an invitation to apply for registration in a register maintained by the officer if—
a
the officer is aware of the person’s name and address,
b
the person is not registered in the register, and
c
the officer has reason to believe that the person may be entitled to be registered in the register.
2
Regulations may make provision about invitations under subsection (1), including—
a
provision about the form and contents of invitations;
b
provision about the giving of invitations (for example, provision about the manner in which they must be given or how often they must be given);
c
provision requiring invitations to be accompanied by, or combined with, application forms or other documents (including partially completed application forms).
3
Regulations under subsection (2) may confer functions on the Electoral Commission (for example, the Commission may be required to design an invitation).
4
A registration officer who gives a person an invitation under subsection (1) may subsequently require the person to make an application for registration by a specified date.
5
A requirement under subsection (4) is of no effect if the person is not entitled to be registered.
6
Regulations—
a
may make provision about requirements under subsection (4) (including provision for them to be cancelled in specified circumstances);
b
may specify steps that a registration officer must take before imposing a requirement.
7
A registration officer may impose a civil penalty on a person who fails to comply with a requirement imposed by the officer under subsection (4).
8
For more about civil penalties under this section, see Schedule ZA1.
2
Schedule 3 inserts a new Schedule ZA1 into the 1983 Act.