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The Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001

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The Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001, PART I is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 13 July 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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PART IE+WGENERAL, INTERPRETATION AND MISCELLANEOUS

Citation, commencement and extentE+W

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 and shall come into force on 16th February 2001.

(2) These Regulations shall not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I1Reg. 1 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

RevocationsE+W

2.  The instruments listed in column 1 of Schedule 2 to these Regulations (which have the references listed in column 2) are hereby revoked to the extent indicated in column 3 of that Schedule.

Commencement Information

I2Reg. 2 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

InterpretationE+W

3.—(1) For the purposes of these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

“1983 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1983(1);

“1985 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1985(2);

“2000 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 2000(3);

[F1“Article 89 GDPR purposes” means the purposes mentioned in Article 89(1) of [F2the UK GDPR] (archiving in the public interest, scientific or historical research and statistics);]

“available for inspection” means available for inspection during ordinary office hours;

“British Council employee” means a person employed by the British Council in a post outside the United Kingdom;

[F3“candidate” has the same meaning as in section 118A of the 1983 Act];

[F4“certificate of anonymous registration” means a certificate issued in pursuance of regulation 45G;]

“Crown servant” means a person who is employed in a post falling within the class or description set out in regulation 14 below;

[F5“data” means information which is recorded with the intention that it should be processed by means of equipment operating automatically in response to instructions given for that purpose;]

[F6“data form” means information which is in a form which is capable of being processed by means of equipment operating automatically in response to instructions given for that purpose;]

[F1“the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);]

[F7“digital service” means the Individual Electoral Registration Digital Service, which is the digital service provided by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for (amongst other purposes) the purpose of—

(a)

processing online applications under sections 10ZC and 10ZD of the 1983 Act and online relevant absent voting applications,

(b)

verifying information under regulations 29ZA and 56B, and

(c)

data matching under regulation 32ZBB in respect of the annual canvass for a register of parliamentary electors or local government electors in England or Wales;]

[F6“edited register” has the meaning given in regulation 93(1) below;]

F8...

F8...

F9...

[F10“left behind postal voting document” is a postal voting document relating to a parliamentary election or a local government election in England that is left behind at a polling station or left for the returning officer without being handed in and for which no return of postal voting documents form has been completed;]

“list of overseas electors” means the list prepared under regulation 45 below;

“overseas elector” means a person who has made an overseas elector’s declaration and is registered or entitled to be registered as a parliamentary elector in pursuance of it;

“register” means the register of electors;

[F11“registration area” means the area for which a registration officer acts;]

“registration officer” means the electoral registration officer;

[F12“relevant absent voting application” has the meaning given in paragraph 1A(7)(a)(i) of Schedule 2 to the 1983 Act;]

[F13“relevant contact details” means—

(a)

an email address;

(b)

a telephone number; or

(c)

an electronic identifier unique to the individual;]

[F10“return of postal voting documents form” has the meaning given in regulation 79A;] and

[F14“the UK GDPR” has the meaning given in section 3(10) of the Data Protection Act 2018].

(2) A reference in these Regulations to a numbered rule in the elections rules shall be construed as a reference to—

(a)the rule of that number in the parliamentary elections rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act in the case of a parliamentary election, or

(b)the corresponding rule in the rules made under section 36 of the 1983 Act in the case of a local government election.

(3) A reference in these Regulations to a form identified by means of a letter shall be construed as a reference to the form so identified in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

[F15(3A) For the purposes of regulations 26, 26A, 26B, F16... F17... 32ZE, 32ZF, 32ZG and 32ZH a document may be given to a person—

(a)by delivering it to the person;

(b)by leaving it at the person’s address; or

(c)by sending it to the person by post.]

[F18(3B) A document provided in accordance with regulation 51(9) or 56C may be transmitted by an applicant to a registration officer by electronic means.]

(4) In the application of these Regulations to the registers which are required to be published not later than 15th February 2001 by section 13(1) of the 1983 Act, as enacted, references to the publication of the revised version are to be read as references to the publication of the register.

Textual Amendments

F10Words in reg. 3(1) inserted (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), regs. 1(2), 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4Reg. 3 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(i))

Commencement Information

I3Reg. 3 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

FormsE+W

4.—(1) The registration officer shall supply free of charge as many forms for use in connection with—

(a)[F19applications made under sections 10ZC(1)(a) and 10ZD(1)(a) of the 1983 Act], and

(b)applications made under Schedule 4 to the 2000 Act and Part IV of these Regulations,

as appear to that officer reasonable in the circumstances to any person who satisfies that officer of his intention to use the forms in connection with an election.

(2) The forms set out in Schedule 3 to these Regulations or forms substantially to the like effect may be used with such variations as the circumstances may require.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7Reg. 4(1)(b) applied (with modifications) (E.) (9.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/323), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 15(5)(c)(ii) and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 6(3)(b)(i))

C8Reg. 4(1)(b) applied (with modifications) (E.) (18.2.2012) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Council Tax Increases) (England) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/444), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 6 (with reg. 27) (as amended (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 16(5)(c)(ii) and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 7(3)(b)(i))

C9Reg. 4(1)(b) applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6 (as amended: (6.4.2014) by S.I. 2014/333, regs. 1(6), 10(b) (with reg. 1(7)); (31.10.2023) by S.I. 2023/1147, regs. 1(2), 18(5)(c)(ii)); and (12.12.2023 with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by S.I. 2023/1225, regs. 1(2), 9(3)(b)(i))

Commencement Information

I4Reg. 4 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Communication of applications, notices etc.E+W

5.—[F20(1)] The requirement in these Regulations that any [F21application, notice [F22, relevant attestation] or representation] should be in writing is satisfied where (apart from the usual meaning of that expression) the text of it—

(a)is transmitted by electronic means,

(b)is received in legible form, and

(c)is capable of being used for subsequent reference.

[F23(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to notice of a requirement to register given under regulation 32ZE(1) or notice of a civil penalty given under regulation 32ZF(2).]

[F24(3) In paragraph (1), “relevant attestation” means an attestation under regulation 56C(6).]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C12Reg. 5 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I5Reg. 5 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Electronic signatures and related certificatesE+W

6.—(1) A requirement in these Regulations for an [F25application, notice or representation] to be signed is satisfied (as an alternative to the signature given by hand) where there is—

(a)an electronic signature incorporated into or logically associated with a particular electronic communication, and

(b)the certification by any person of such a signature.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation an electronic signature is so much of anything in electronic form as—

(a)is incorporated into or otherwise logically associated with any electronic communication or both; and

(b)purports to be so incorporated or associated for the purpose of being used in establishing the authenticity of the communication, the integrity of the communication or both.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation an electronic signature incorporated into or associated with a particular electronic communication is certified by any person if that person (whether before or after the making of the communication) has made a statement confirming that—

(a)the signature,

(b)a means of producing, communicating or verifying the signature, or

(c)a procedure applied to the signature,

is (either alone or in combination with other factors) a valid means of establishing the authenticity of the communication, the integrity of the communication or both.

[F26(4) This regulation does not apply in relation to a relevant absent voting application, for which the general requirements are set out in regulation 51.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16Reg. 6 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I6Reg. 6 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Copies of documentsE+W

7.—[F27(1)] Where a document is made available for inspection under these Regulations, any person may make a copy (whether hand-written or by other means) of the whole or any part of it.

[F28(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the full register.

(3)  A person inspecting the full register may not—

(a)make copies of any part of it, or

(b)record any particulars included in it,

otherwise than by means of hand-written notes.

(4) A person who inspects the full register and makes a copy of it or records any particulars included in it otherwise than by means of hand-written notes shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(5)  In this regulation “full register” includes—

(a)any part of it; and

(b)any notice published under section 13A(2) [F29,13AB(2)] or 13B(3) [F30, (3B) or (3D)] of the 1983 Act altering the register.]

[F31(6) Paragraph (1) does not apply to copies of information covered by regulation 61(1) or to any of the documents open to public inspection under regulation 118.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22Reg. 7 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I7Reg. 7 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

TimeE+W

8.—(1) Where the day or last day of the time allowed by these Regulations for the doing of any thing falls on any of the days mentioned in paragraph (3) below, that time shall be extended until the next following day which is not one of those days.

(2) Subject to regulation 56(6) below, in computing any period of not more than 7 days for the purposes of these Regulations any of the days mentioned in paragraph (3) below shall be disregarded.

(3) The days referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) above are a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, F32... Good Friday or a bank holiday.

(4) In paragraph (3) above “bank holiday” means a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(4) in England and Wales.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C26Reg. 8 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I8Reg. 8 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

[F33Official poll card and postal poll card at parliamentary electionsE+W

9.—(1) For the purposes of rule 28(3) of the rules in Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act, the following forms are hereby prescribed.

(2) The official poll card issued to an elector shall be in Form A.

(3) The official postal poll card issued to an elector shall be in Form A1.

(4) The official poll card issued to the proxy of an elector shall be in Form B.

(5) The official postal poll card issued to the proxy of an elector shall be in Form B1.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I9Reg. 9 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Return and declaration of election expensesE+W

10.—(1) For the purpose of section 75(3) of the 1983 Act, the form of the return of election expenses shall be in Form C and the form of the declaration as to election expenses shall be in Form D.

F34(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The price of a copy of any such return, declaration or [F35any accompanying document] shall be at the rate of 20p for each side of each page.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I10Reg. 10 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Interference with notices etc.E+W

11.  If any person without lawful authority destroys, mutilates, defaces or removes any notice published by the registration officer in connection with his registration duties or any copies of a document which have been made available for inspection in pursuance of those duties, he shall be liable on a summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C30Reg. 11 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.8.2012) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), regs. 1, 8, 12, 13, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 6

Commencement Information

I11Reg. 11 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Device referred to in rule 29(3A) (b) of parliamentary elections rulesE+W

F3612.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I12Reg. 12 in force at 16.2.2001, see reg. 1(1)

Registration of European Parliamentary overseas electorsE+W

F3713.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

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