The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008
PART 1GENERAL, INTERPRETATION AND MISCELLANEOUS
1Citation, commencement and extent
2Revocations
3Interpretation
4Forms
5Communication of applications, notices etc.
6Electronic signatures and related certificates
7Copies of documents
8Time
9Official poll card and postal poll card at parliamentary elections
10Return and declaration of election expenses
11Interference with notices etc.
12Device referred to in rule 29(3A)(b) of elections rules
13Applications for an electoral identity card
13ANotification of determination of application for electoral identity card
13BAppeal following determination
14Registration of European parliamentary overseas electors
15Amendment of rule 37(1E) of the elections rules
PART 2SERVICE AND OVERSEAS ELECTORS’ DECLARATIONS
Service declarations
16Qualification for Crown servant
17Contents of service declaration
18Transmission of service declaration
19Notification by registration officer in respect of service declaration
Overseas elector’s declarations
20Contents of overseas elector’s declaration
21Certain declarants to supply copy of birth certificates
22Attestation of certain overseas electors’ declarations
23Notification about registration as overseas elector
23AReminders to electors registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration
23BRenewal declarations
23CNotification about continued registration as an overseas elector following renewal declaration
PART 3REGISTRATION
Information about electors
24Power to require information
25Alteration of registers under section 13BA(3) or 13BC of the 1983 Act
25ARegulation 25 supplementary: additional supporting material in relation to identity
25BRegulation 25 supplementary: additional supporting material in relation to nationality
25CRegulation 25 supplementary: additional supporting material in relation to address claimed as qualifying address
26Reminders to electors registered in pursuance of a service declaration or declaration of local connection
26AReminders to persons who have an anonymous entry
27Applications for registration
27ZAOverseas electors: power to require additional evidence where applicant under 18 when last resident in the United Kingdom
27ZBOverseas electors: power to require additional evidence of previous residence
27ZCOverseas electors: power to require attestation as to applicant’s previous residence at address claimed as qualifying address
27ZDOverseas electors: power to require additional evidence as to previous registration in pursuance of a service declaration, residence as a merchant seaman or an overseas elector’s declaration
27ZEOverseas electors: power to require additional evidence as to declaration of local connection
27ZFOverseas electors: power to require attestation as to applicant’s connection to address claimed as qualifying address
27ZGOverseas electors: power to require additional evidence as to change of name
27ZHAttestations: general requirements
27ZIMeaning of qualifying attestor
27AProcessing of information provided in connection with an application for registration
28Objections to registration
29Inspection of applications and objections
Determination of applications and objections
30Procedure for determining applications for registration and objections without a hearing
31Notice of hearing
32Hearing of applications and objections
33Objections relating to applications which have been allowed, but before alterations to the register have taken effect
34Other determinations by registration officer of entitlement to registration
35Summary procedure for determining in specified circumstances whether a person has ceased to satisfy conditions for registration
36Procedure for reviewing entitlement to registration
37List of reviews
38Hearings of reviews
38AAnonymous registration: applications and declarations
38BAnonymous registration: determination of applications by the registration officer
38CAnonymous registration: evidence consisting of relevant court orders or injunctions
38DAnonymous registration: evidence by attestation
38EAnonymous registration: review of entitlement to an anonymous entry
39Registration appeals
40Representations regarding clerical errors
41Requests for information
42Provision of information to the registration officer
42AVerification of information provided in an application
43Disclosure of information
44Notices in connection with registration
45Communication of notices made on polling day
46Notice by registration officer of a change of address
46APrescribed form for canvass
46BRetention of entries on the register following a canvass
The register
47Separate part of register for each parliamentary polling district
48Different letter for each parliamentary polling district
49Qualifying addresses which are not included in the register
50Order of names
50AAnonymous entries
51Marking of names
52Publication of register
53Preparation and publication of list of overseas electors
53ARecord of anonymous entries
53BDuties of registration officer and his staff in relation to record of anonymous entries
53CSupply of the record of anonymous entries to police forces and other organisations
53DCertificate of anonymous registration
PART 4ABSENT VOTERS
54Interpretation of Part 4
55General requirements for applications for an absent vote
55AAdditional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to a different address to that in register
55BAdditional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to different address from that shown in the record kept under section 6(3) or section 9(6) of the 1985 Act
56Additional requirements for applications for the appointment of a proxy
57Additional requirements for applications on grounds of blindness or other disability
58Additional requirements for applications based on occupation, service, employment or attendance on a course
59Additional requirements for applications in respect of a particular election
60Additional requirements for applications by proxies to vote by post at a particular election
61Closing date for applications
62Grant or refusal of applications
63Notice of appeal
64Cancellation of proxy appointment
65Inquiries by registration officer
66Records and lists kept under sections 6, 7 and 9 of the 1985 Act
67Marked register for polling stations
68Certificate of employment at a parliamentary election
69Form of Corresponding number lists
PART 5ISSUE AND RECEIPT OF POSTAL BALLOT PAPERS
70Interpretation of Part 5
Issue of Postal Ballot Papers
70ATime when postal ballot papers are to be issued
71Form of declaration of identity
72Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers
73Agents of candidates who may attend proceedings on issue or receipt of postal ballot papers
74Notification of requirement of secrecy
75Notice of issue of postal ballot papers
76Procedure on issue of postal ballot paper
77Refusal to issue postal ballot paper
78Envelopes
79Sealing up of completed corresponding number lists and security of special lists
80Delivery of postal ballot papers
81Spoilt postal ballot papers
81ATendered postal ballot papers
Receipt of Postal Ballot Papers
82Notice of opening of postal ballot paper envelopes
83Postal ballot boxes and receptacles
84Receipt of covering envelope
85Opening of postal voters’ ballot box
86Opening of covering envelopes
87Procedure in relation to declarations of identity
88Opening of ballot paper envelopes
89Sealing of receptacles
90Abandoned poll
91Forwarding of documents
PART 6SUPPLY OF REGISTERS ETC.
Interpretation and edited register
92Interpretation of Part 6
93Edited version of register
General restrictions
94Restrictions on supply of full register and disclosure of information from it by the Chief Electoral Officer and his staff
95Restriction on use of the full register or information contained in it supplied in accordance with any enactment or otherwise obtained
Supply on publication and specific restrictions
96Supply of free copy of full register to the British Library
97Supply of free copy of full register to deputy returning officer at local elections and restrictions on use
98Supply of free copy of full register etc to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and restrictions on use
99Supply of free copy of full register etc to Electoral Commission
100Supply of free copy of full register etc to Local Government Boundary Commissioner, the Boundary Commission and the District Electoral Areas Commissioner and restrictions on use
Supply on request and specific restrictions
101Supply of full register etc under regulations 102 to 107A: general provisions
102Supply of full register etc to elected representatives and restrictions on use
103Supply of full register etc to holders of relevant elective offices and candidates
104Supply of full register etc to local constituency parties and restrictions on use
105Supply of full register etc to registered political parties etc and restrictions on use
106Supply of full register etc to certain candidates and restriction on use
107Supply of full register etc to police forces and restrictions on use
107ASupply of full register etc to a registered medical practitioner and restrictions on use.
Sale of edited and full register and specific restrictions
108Sale of edited register
109Sale of full register etc: restrictions on supply, charges, etc
110Sale of full register etc: general provisions
111Sale of full register etc to government departments
112Sale of full register etc to credit reference agencies
Supply to assist the registration officer to meet the relevant registration objectives
112ASupply of additional elector information to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
Supply to processor and offences
113Supply of register to processor
114Offences in respect of contravention of Part 3 or Part 6
PART 6ASupply of date of birth lists to police and pursuant to a court order
114AInterpretation of Part 6A
114BSupply of date of birth lists to police forces and restrictions on use
114CCourt orders for production of date of birth lists
PART 7ACCESS TO MARKED REGISTERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION AFTER AN ELECTION
115Interpretation of Part 7
116Supply of marked registers and lists after an election
117Inspection of documents open to public inspection
118Conditions on the use, supply and disclosure of documents open to public inspection
119Fees relating to the supply of marked registers and lists
SCHEDULE 1ENABLING POWERS
SCHEDULE 2REVOCATIONS
SCHEDULE 3FORMS
ARRANGEMENT OF FORMS
SCHEDULE 4APPLICATION WITH MODIFICATIONS OF PROVISIONS OF THE 1983 AND 1985 ACTS FOR REGISTRATION OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY OVERSEAS ELECTORS
SCHEDULE 5Form of words about two versions of the register

2008 No. 1741

Representation Of The People

The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008

Made

Coming into force

In accordance with section 7(1) and (2)(e) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 20001 and section 42(9) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 2(“the 2006 Act”), the Electoral Commission has been consulted prior to making these Regulations.

A draft of these Regulations was laid before Parliament in accordance with section 201(2) of the Representation of the People Act 19833 (“the 1983 Act”) and section 42(10) of the 2006 Act and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.C1C2C3C4

Accordingly, the Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the enactments which are specified in Schedule 1 to these Regulations, makes the following Regulations:C1C2C3C4

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2

Regulations applied in part (with modifications) (16.2.2011) by Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 (c. 1), s. 19(2), Sch. 4 para. 9