Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022

Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2)

8 (1) Schedule 1 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.

(2) In rule 1, in the election timetable—

(a) in the entry relating to “Issue of writ”, in the second column, omit “by section 3(1) of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011”;

(b) for the entry relating to “Publication of notice of election” substitute—

“Publication of notice of election

In the case of a general election, not later than 4 in the afternoon on the second day after that on which the writ is received (and for these purposes the writ is to be taken to have been received on the day after the date of the dissolution of Parliament).

In the case of a by-election, not later than 4 in the afternoon on the second day after that on which the writ is received (and for these purposes the writ is to be taken to have been received on the day after the date of the warrant for the writ).”;

(c) in the entry relating to “Delivery of nomination papers”—

(i) in the second column, omit “by section 3(1) of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011”;

(ii) in the third column, at the end insert “(and for these purposes the writ is to be taken to have been received on the day after the date of the warrant for the writ)”;

(d) in the entry relating to “Polling”, in the second column, for “day determined under section 1 of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 or appointed under section 2(7) of that Act” substitute “19th day after the last day for delivery of nomination papers”.

(3) In rule 2 (computation of time)—

(a) in paragraph (1), at the end insert “, and any such day is not to be treated as a day for the purpose of any proceedings in the Timetable up to the completion of the poll, nor is the returning officer obliged to proceed with the counting of the votes on such a day.”;

(b) omit paragraphs (1A) and (1B);

(c) in paragraph (2A), for sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute “the day was not fixed or appointed as such before the dissolution of Parliament.”

(4) In the form of writ in the Appendix of Forms at the end of Schedule 1, omit “by section 3(1) of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011”.