These Rules amend the Local Elections (Principal Areas) Rules 1986 which after 1st April 1990 will apply in respect of the election of county, district or London borough councillors in England and Wales. Rules 2, 3, 4(3), (5) to (7), (8)(a), (9), (10)(a) and (12), 5(2) to (5), (6)(a), (7), (8), (9)(a) and (c), (10)~ to (15) and (18) and 6(2), (3), (5)(b), (6) and (10) of these Rules are consequential on the repeal of the provisions in primary legislation relating to elections to the Inner London Education Authority (see Part I of Schedule 13 to the Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40).

Rule 4(8)(b) of these Rules amends the form of a candidate’s consent to nomination in consequence of the disqualification introduced by Part I of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Rules 4(2), (8) and (11)(b) and (c), 5(6)(b), (9)(b), (16) and (17) and 6(4), (5)(a) and (7) to (9) either seek to clarify the drafting of the Local Elections (Principal Areas) Rules 1986 including the forms of the official poll card and declarations of identity or correct errors or omissions in those Rules.

Rule 4(4) omits a provision about rating which is equivalent to a provision in the parliamentary elections rules in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 which will be repealed as from 1st April 1990 by Part I of Schedule 13 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41).

Rule 7 omits a provision which is superseded by the amendment made by rule 4(11)(c).