33.—(1) This regulation applies where, at a general election of MEPs, the nominating officer of a registered party (in accordance with the European Parliamentary elections rules) nominates, or authorises the nomination of, that party to stand for election in more than one electoral region.
(2) Not later than the latest date for the delivery of notices of withdrawal for an election, that officer shall name himself, or some other person, as the party’s national election agent.
(3) The name and address of the person so named shall be declared in writing by or on behalf of the party’s nominating officer to the Secretary of State not later than that time.
(4) One national election agent only shall be appointed for each registered party but the appointment (whether or not the national election agent appointed is the party’s nominating officer) may be revoked.
(5) If (whether before, during or after the general election of MEPs) the appointment or deemed appointment of a national election agent is revoked or a national election agent dies, another national election agent shall be appointed forthwith and his name and address declared to the Secretary of State.
(6) The declaration as a party’s national election agent of a person other than the nominating officer of that party shall be of no effect under this regulation unless it is made and signed by that person or is accompanied by a written declaration of acceptance signed by him.
(7) Upon the name and address of a national election agent being declared to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall forthwith give public notice of that name and address.
(8) Where for any reason the nominating officer of a registered party is unable to act, functions conferred on him by this regulation shall be discharged by—
(a)the person registered as leader of that party under the 2000 Act, or
(b)where that person is also the nominating officer, the person who holds some other office in the party and is registered in pursuance of it under section 24 of that Act.
(9) In the following provisions of these Regulations, except regulations 38 to 41—
(a)any reference to an election agent shall, in the case of a registered party to which this regulation applies, be construed as a reference to a national election agent, and
(b)any reference to the election agent of a candidate shall, in the case of a registered party to which this regulation applies, be construed as a reference to that party’s national election agent.