The European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004 (revoked)

1Citation, commencement and extent

2Interpretation

3Conduct of poll and count in the electoral region

4Deputies and assistance

5Polling districts and places

6Rules for European Parliamentary elections

7Manner of voting

8Absent vote at elections for an indefinite period

9Absent vote at a particular election and absent voters list

10Proxies at elections

11Voting as proxy

12Offences as to declarations

12AOffences relating to applications for postal and proxy votes

13Absent voting

14Modification of the Regulations for 2004 elections

15Returning officers

16Payments by and to returning officers

17Taxation of returning officer’s account

18Effect of registers

19Effect of misdescription

20Discharge of registration duties

21Payment of expenses of registration

22Registration appeals

24Offences relating to specified documents

25Other voting offences

26Breach of official duty

27Tampering with nomination papers, ballot papers, etc

28False statement in nomination papers

29Offences in connection with candidature

30Requirement of secrecy

31Prohibition on publication of exit polls

PART 2The Election Campaign

32Interpretation of Part 2

33Computation of time for purposes of Part 2

34Appointment of election agent

35Appointment of sub-agent

36Office of election agent and sub-agent

37Effect of default in election agent’s appointment

38Control of donations to candidates

39Payment of expenses through election agent

40Candidate’s personal expenses, and petty expenses

41Expenses incurred otherwise than for election purposes

42Prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent

43Limitation of election expenses for candidates

44Time for sending in and paying claims

45Disputed claims

46Election agent’s claim

47Return as to election expenses

48Declarations as to election expenses

49Penalty for failure as respects return or declarations

50Authorised excuses for failures as to return and declarations

51Court’s power to require information from election agent or sub-agent

52Duty of appropriate officer to forward returns and declarations to Electoral Commission

53Publication of time and place for inspection of returns and declarations

54Inspection of returns and declarations

55Meaning of “election expenses”

56Schedule 5A, which makes provision for election expenses, has effect....

57Property, goods, services etc provided free of charge or at a discount

58Candidate’s right to send election address post free

59Broadcasting from outside United Kingdom

60Broadcasting of local items during election period

61Imitation poll cards

62Disturbances at election meetings

63Officials not to act for candidates

64Illegal canvassing by police officers

65False statements as to candidates

66Corrupt withdrawal from candidature

67Payments for exhibition of election notices

68Details to appear on election publications

69Prohibition of paid canvassers

70Providing money for illegal purposes

73Undue influence

74Rights of creditors

75Savings as to European Parliamentary elections

PART 3Vacancies

76Interpretation of Part 3

76AComputation of time for purposes of Part 3

76BInitial response to vacancy

76C MEP stood for registered party: filling vacant seat

76D MEP stood for two or more registered parties: filling vacant seat

76EParty or parties no longer registered

76FIndependent MEP: notice of substitutes

76GIndependent MEP: filling vacant seat

76HBy-elections

76IRelevant citizens of the Union

PART 4Legal Proceedings

77Interpretation of Part 4

78Computation of time for purposes of Part 4

79Method of questioning European Parliamentary elections

80Presentation and service of European Parliamentary election petitions

81Time for presentation or amendment of European Parliamentary election petition

82Constitution of election court and place of trial

83Judges' expenses

84Security for costs

85Petition at issue

86List of petitions

87Trial of election issue

89Duty to answer relevant questions

90Expenses of witnesses

91Conclusion of trial of European Parliamentary election petition

92Special case for determination of the High Court

93Withdrawal of petition

94Costs of petition

95Neglect or refusal to pay costs

96Appeals and jurisdiction

97Persons convicted of corrupt or illegal practices

98Application for relief

99Prosecutions for corrupt practices

100Prosecutions for illegal practices

101Conviction of illegal practice on charge of corrupt practice

102Mitigation and remission etc

103Illegal payments

104Time limit for prosecution

105Prosecution of offences committed outside the United Kingdom

106Offences by associations

107Evidence by certificate of holding of elections

108Evidence by certificate of electoral registration

109Director of Public Prosecutions

111Service of notices

111ATranslations etc. of certain documents

PART 5Miscellaneous

112Public notices and declarations

113Remuneration for free postal services provided under the Regulations

114Rateability of premises

115Combination of polls

115ARequirement to provide information about candidate standing in other member State

SCHEDULE 1EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS RULES

PART 1PROVISIONS AS TO TIME

2Computation of time

PART 2STAGES COMMON TO CONTESTED AND UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS

3Notice of election

4Nomination of candidates

5Nomination papers: name of registered political party

6Consent to nomination

7Candidature by relevant citizen of the Union

7ARequest for information where candidate is relevant citizen of the Union

9Place for delivery of nomination papers

10Right to attend nomination

11Decisions as to validity of nomination papers

12Withdrawal of candidates

13Publication of statement of candidates nominated

14Correction of minor errors

15Disqualification by Representation of the People Act 1981

16Adjournment of nomination proceedings in case of riot

17Method of election

PART 3CONTESTED ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 1General Provisions

18Poll to be taken by ballot

19The ballot papers

20Corresponding number list

21The official mark

22Prohibition of disclosure of vote

23Use of schools and public rooms

CHAPTER 2Action to be Taken Before the Poll

24Notice of poll

25Postal ballot papers

26Provision of polling stations

27Appointment of presiding officers and clerks

28Appointment of verifying officers and clerks

29Issue of official poll cards

30Equipment of polling stations

31Appointment of polling and counting agents

32Notification of requirement of secrecy

33Return of postal ballot papers

CHAPTER 3The Poll

34Admission to polling station

35Keeping of order in station

36Sealing of ballot boxes

37Questions to be put to voters

38Challenge of voter

39Voting procedure

40Votes marked by presiding officer

41Voting by persons with disabilities

42Tendered ballot papers: circumstances where available

43Tendered ballot papers: general provisions

43ATendered postal ballot papers: issue to persons with an anonymous entry

44Refusal to deliver ballot paper

45Spoilt ballot papers

46Alteration of registers

47Adjournment of poll in case of riot

48Procedure on close of poll

CHAPTER 4Counting of Votes

49Attendance at verification of ballot paper accounts

50Procedure at verification of ballot paper accounts

51Attendance at counting of votes

52Interpretation of rules 53 to 63

53Preliminary proceedings and conduct of the count

54Rejected ballot papers

55 Initial stages

57Transfer of votes

58Supplementary provisions on transfer

59Exclusion of candidates

60Filling of last vacancies

62Order of election of candidates

63Decisions of returning officer

PART 4FINAL PROCEEDINGS IN CONTESTED AND UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS

64Declaration of result

65Return or forfeiture of candidate’s deposit

PART 5DISPOSAL OF DOCUMENTS

66Sealing up of ballot papers

67Retention of documents by the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland

68Orders for production of documents

69Retention and public inspection of documents

PART 6DEATH OF CANDIDATE

70Independent candidate

71Deceased independent candidate’s votes are equal to or exceed the quota

72Party candidate

73Abandoned poll

PART 7ACCESS TO MARKED REGISTERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION AFTER AN ELECTION

74Interpretation and general

75Supply of marked registers and lists after a European Parliamentary election

76Inspection of documents open to public inspection

77Conditions on the use, supply and disclosure of documents open to public inspection

78Fees relating to the marked registers and lists

PART 8APPENDIX OF FORMS

SCHEDULE 2ABSENT VOTERS

PART 1APPLICATIONS

1Interpretation of Part 1

2(1) An application under regulation 8, 9, 10 or 11...

2AAdditional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to a different address to that in the register

2BAdditional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to different address from that shown in the record kept under regulation 8(5) or regulation 9(5)

3Additional requirements for applications for the appointment of a proxy

4Additional requirements for applications on grounds of blindness or other disability

5Additional requirements for applications based on occupation, service, employment or attendance on a course

6Additional requirements for applications in respect of a particular election

7Additional requirements for applications by proxies to vote by post at a particular election

8Closing date for applications

9Grant or refusal of applications

10Notice of appeal

11Cancellation of proxy appointment

12Inquiries by registration officer

13Records and lists kept under regulations 8, 9 and 11

14Marked register for polling stations

PART 2ISSUE AND RECEIPT OF POSTAL BALLOT PAPERS

15Interpretation of Part 2

ISSUE OF POSTAL BALLOT PAPERS

16Form of declaration of identity

17Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

18Agents of candidates who may attend proceedings on issue or receipt of postal ballot papers

19Notification of requirement of secrecy

20Notice of issue of postal ballot papers

21Procedure on issue of postal ballot paper

22Refusal to issue postal ballot paper

24Sealing up and security of completed corresponding number and other lists

25Delivery of postal ballot papers

26Spoilt postal ballot papers

26ATendered postal ballot papers: issue and receipt

RECEIPT OF POSTAL BALLOT PAPERS

27Notice of opening of postal ballot paper envelopes

28Postal ballot boxes and receptacles

29Receipt of covering envelope

30Opening of postal voters' ballet box

31Opening of covering envelopes

32Procedure in relation to declarations of identity on receipt of covering envelope

33Opening of ballot paper envelopes

34Sealing of receptacles

35Abandoned poll

36Retention of documents

PART 3APPENDIX OF FORMS

SCHEDULE 3MODIFICATIONS FOR RELEVANT CITIZENS OF THE ACCESSION STATES IN 2004

1This Schedule applies in the circumstances set out in regulation...

2In regulation 2, in the definition of “elector”, after the...

3In regulation 18, insert after paragraph (3)—

4In regulation 25(1), for the words “For the purposes of...

5In paragraph 20 of Schedule 2, after sub-paragraph (2) insert—...

SCHEDULE 4CONTROL OF DONATIONS TO CANDIDATES

PART IIntroductory

1Operation and interpretation of Schedule

2Donations: general rules

4Payments etc not to be regarded as donations

5Value of donations

PART IIControls on donations

6Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

7Acceptance or return of donations

8Transfer of donations received by candidate to election agent

9Evasion of restrictions on donations

PART IIIReporting of donations

10Statement of relevant donations

11Donations from permissible donor

12Donations from impermissible donors

SCHEDULE 5DECLARATION AS TO ELECTION EXPENSES

FORM OF DECLARATION *[General election of MEPs on (insert date...

FORM OF DECLARATION

. . . . . . . . . ....

. . . . . . . . . ....

. . . . . . . . . ....

. . . . . . . . . ....

1I am the person named above as a candidate at...

2I have examined the return of election expenses (about to...

3To the best of my knowledge and belief, all expenses...

4I understand that the law does not allow any election...

SCHEDULE 5AElection expenses

PART 1LIST OF MATTERS

1Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used). Expenses in...

2Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by...

3Transport (by any means) of persons to any place. Expenses...

4Public meetings (of any kind). Expenses in respect of such...

5The services of an election agent or any other person...

6Accommodation and administrative costs.

PART 2GENERAL EXCLUSION

7The payment of any deposit required by rule 8 of...

8The publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating...

9The provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any...

10The provision by an individual of his own services which...

11(1) Accommodation which is the candidate’s sole or main residence....

12(1) Transport by a means of transport which was acquired...

13(1) Computing or printing equipment which was acquired by the...

SCHEDULE 6COMBINED POLLS

1This Schedule applies in the circumstances set out in regulation...

2In this Schedule, and in any provision modified by this...

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS RULES

3In rule 19(2) (ballot papers), after sub-paragraph (c) insert—

4In rule 24 (notice of poll), after paragraph (2) insert—...

5In rule 29 (issue of official poll cards), after paragraph...

6In rule 30 (equipment of polling stations)—

7In rule 34(1) (admission to polling station), after sub-paragraph (g)...

8In rule 37 (questions to be put to voters), in...

9In rule 39 (voting procedure), after paragraph (10) insert—

10In rule 40 (votes marked by presiding officer) after paragraph...

11In rule 41 (voting by persons with disabilities) after paragraph...

12In rule 43 (tendered ballot papers: general provisions) after paragraph...

12ARule 43A applies as if after paragraph (10) there were...

13In rule 46 (alteration of registers) at the end of...

14In rule 48 (procedure on close of poll)—

14AIn rule 49 (attendance at verification of ballot paper accounts),...

14BIn rule 50 (procedure at verification of ballot paper accounts)—...

15At the end of rule 53 (preliminary proceedings and conduct...

16In rule 72 (party candidate)— (a) after paragraph (2) insert—...

17In rule 73 (abandoned poll) for paragraphs (2) to (6)...

17A. . . . . . . . . ....

18After paragraph 15 of Schedule 2 (interpretation of Part 2)...

19In paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 (form of declaration of...

20In paragraph 21 of Schedule 2 (procedure on issue of...

21In paragraph 23 of Schedule 2 (envelopes), at the end...

22In the Appendix of Forms at the end of Schedule...

SCHEDULE 7REVOCATIONS

2004 No. 1267

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE, NORTHERN IRELAND

The European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004 (revoked)F1

Made29th April 2004

Coming into force30th April 2004

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .