The Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections and Periods of Suspension) Act 2003 (Consequential Modifications No. 2) Order 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order modifies section 118A(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, as it is applied to Northern Ireland Assembly elections by the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599) in connection with provision made by section 1 of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections and Periods of Suspension) Act 2003. Section 1 of the 2003 Act postponed the date of the poll for the next Assembly election from 29th May 2003 to a date to be specified in an order made by the Secretary of State. Article 2 of this Order substitutes a new section 118A(2)(a) in the 1983 Act in relation only to the poll to be held on 26th November 2003. The effect of the modification is that a person becomes a candidate for the 26th November poll on 30th October if on or before that date he declares himself or has been declared a candidate at the election. By virtue of section 118A(2)(b) of the 1983 Act, if there has been no such declaration by that date, he becomes a candidate on the date when he so declares himself or is declared by others or is nominated as a candidate, whichever is the earlier.