This Order, which applies to the United Kingdom, extends the duration of a service voter’s registration as an elector from 3 years to 5 years (article 2). It applies only to persons whose service qualification comes from being a member of the armed forces or their spouse or civil partner and who is registered further to a service declaration.

Article 3 makes a consequential amendment to regulation 25(3)(b) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/341). This amendment ensures that a service voter (or spouse or civil partner) to whom this Order applies will be reminded to renew their service declarations three months before the end of the new five year period. Articles 4 and 5 make corresponding consequential amendments to, respectively, the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/497) and the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1741).

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.