This Order specifies, in relation to Northern Ireland, the expenses incurred by the returning officer for the purposes of or in connection with a parliamentary election in respect of which he is entitled to recover his charges. The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is the returning officer for each constituency in Northern Ireland by virtue of section 26 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. The Schedule to the Order is in two parts–

Part A lists expenses incurred by the Chief Electoral Officer in respect of which a maximum recoverable amount is specified; and

Part B lists expenses in respect of which no maximum recoverable amount is specified.

The Order replaces the Returning Officer’s Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1990 (S.I.1990/1065), which ceased to have effect on the coming into force on 22nd July 1991 of the Representation of the People Act 1991.