The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 1999

Combination of polls

13.—(1) Where the polls at a Scottish parliamentary general election and an ordinary local government election, are to be taken on the same date, they shall be taken together.

(2) Where the polls at a Scottish parliamentary election and another election for related areas are to be taken on the same date but are not required by paragraph (1) to be taken together, they may nevertheless may be so taken if the returning officer for each election thinks fit.

(3) In paragraph (2) the reference to another election means a local government election; and for the purposes of that paragraph two areas are related if one is coterminous with or situated wholly or partly within the other.

(4) Where the polls at a Scottish parliamentary election and a local government election are combined under this article the cost of taking the combined polls (excluding any cost solely attributable to one election) and any cost attributable to their combination shall be apportioned in such proportions as the Secretary of State may determine.

(5) Schedule 5 (which makes provision about the combination of polls) has effect.