The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 1999

Registered political party: return as to election expenses

55.—(1) Within 70 days after—

(a) the day on which an ordinary election is held, or

(b) the day on which the results of a regional election are declared other than at an ordinary election,

the registered nominating officer for each registered political party on behalf of which candidates are nominated at the ordinary or regional election shall deliver to the Assembly a true return of election expenses of the party in the form set out in English and Welsh in Schedule 6, or to the like effect, containing a statement as respects that party of all payments made—

(i) by each election agent for a group of party list candidates for that party where sub-paragraph (a) applies,

(ii) by the election agent for the group of party list candidates for that party where sub-paragraph (b) applies,

(iii) by the party’s registered nominating officer, or

(iv) by any other person in accordance with arrangements for which that registered nominating officer is responsible,

together with all the bills and receipts.

(2) The total amount of all such payments referred to in paragraph (1) shall be included in the statement.

(3) The return shall deal under a separate heading or subheading with any expenses included in it—

(a) as respects which a return is required to be made under article 45(1), or

(b) which are on account of the remuneration or expenses of speakers at public meetings.

(4) The return shall also contain as respects that party—

(a) a statement as respects each party list candidate of the amount of personal expenses, if any, paid by the candidate,

(b) a statement of all disputed claims of which the registered nominating officer is aware,

(c) a statement of all the unpaid claims, if any, of which the registered nominating officer is aware, in respect of which application has been or is about to be made to the High Court or county court, and

(d) a statement of all money, securities and equivalent of money received—

(i) by the election agent,

(ii) by the registered nominating officer, or

(iii) by any other person in accordance with arrangements for which the registered nominating officer is responsible,

from a candidate or any other person for the purposes of election expenses incurred or to be incurred, with a statement of the name of every person from whom they may have been received.

(5) Where a party list candidate is the election agent for the candidates on the list, a statement of all money and securities and equivalent of money paid by the candidate shall be added in the return as to election expenses to the statement of money, securities and equivalent of money received by the election agent from the candidates.

(6) Where after the date at which the return as to election expenses is delivered leave is given by the court under article 51(8) for any claims to be paid the registered nominating officer shall, within seven days after its payment, deliver to the Assembly a return of the sums paid in pursuance of the leave accompanied by a copy of the order of the court giving the leave and in default he or they shall be deemed to have failed to comply with requirements of this article without such authorised excuse as is mentioned in article 61.

(7) With reference to the discharge of functions under this article by a registered nominating officer, it shall be the duty of any person who is or has been an election agent or sub-agent for a group of party list candidates of a registered political party at a regional election to co-operate with that party’s registered nominating officer (and, in particular, to supply to the registered nominating officer such particulars as he may reasonably require).