The Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officer’s Charges) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

PART A EXPENSES OF RETURNING OFFICER FOR WHICH MAXIMUM RECOVERABLE AMOUNTS ARE SPECIFIED

1.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of presiding officers at polling stations, including expenses incurred in respect of a person who takes over the duties of a presiding officer on polling day due to the incapacity of the previously appointed presiding officer.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) to (5), the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) in respect of the presiding officer at each polling station is £200.00.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (5), where there are combined polls at a polling station, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) is increased by £40.00.

(4) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), where, at a polling place there is more than one polling station the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) in respect of one only of the presiding officers at the polling stations at such a polling place is increased by £10.00.

(5) In the event of a combined election, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) in respect of one only of the presiding officers at the polling stations at such a polling place is increased by £15.00.

(6) Where a presiding officer receives training (including a presiding officer who, owing to incapacity or other reason, does not discharge the duties of presiding officer on polling day) the maximum recoverable amount in respect of that training is £40.00.

2.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of poll clerks at polling stations.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) in respect of each poll clerk is £150.00.

(3) Where there are combined polls at a polling station, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) in respect of each poll clerk is increased by £25.00.

(4) Where a poll clerk receives training (including a poll clerk who, owing to incapacity or other reason, does not discharge the duties of poll clerk on polling day) the maximum recoverable amount in respect of that training is £40.00.

3.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of persons employed in connection with the preparation, issue and revision of the official poll cards.

(2) The maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1) is, for every 100 cards or fraction thereof, £1.69.

4.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of the payment of persons employed in connection with—

(a) the preparation, issue and receipt of postal ballot papers; and

(b) the count and any other clerical or other assistance for the purpose of the election.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) to (5), the maximum recoverable amount for each constituency for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a) is £4,500.00.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), where there are combined polls for the conduct of which the returning officer is responsible, the maximum recoverable amount for each constituency for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a) is £6,375.00.

(4) In a constituency where the number of entries in the register exceeds 60,000, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a) is increased for every thousand entries or fraction thereof above 60,000, by £53.98.

(5) For every 100 voters or fraction thereof entitled to vote by post in a constituency, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a) is increased by £50.00.

(6) Subject to sub-paragraphs (7) and (8), the maximum recoverable amount for each constituency for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1)(b) is £8,000.00.

(7) Where there are combined polls for the conduct of which the returning officer is responsible, the maximum recoverable amount for the expenses specified in sub-paragraph (1)(b) is £9,400.

(8) For each recount of the votes ordered by the returning officer, the maximum recoverable amount in sub-paragraphs (6) and (7) will be increased by £500.

(9) Where a person employed in connection with the count receives training (including count staff who, owing to incapacity or other reason, do not discharge their duties at the count) the maximum recoverable amount in respect of that training is £40.00.

5.—(1) This paragraph makes provision for a returning officer’s expenses in respect of persons employed to provide training in accordance with paragraphs 1(6), 2(4) and 4(9).

(2) The maximum recoverable amount in respect of each training session is £150.00.

(3) The number of training sessions shall not exceed 90.