Local elections
Amendments to the Elections Act 20019.
(1)
The Schedule to the Elections Act 2001 is amended as follows.
(2)
In paragraph 4—
(a)
for the words “paragraph (3)” substitute “paragraph (3A)”; and
(b)
the inserted paragraph becomes paragraph (3B).
(3)
In paragraph 5, in the text inserted by sub-paragraph (3), after “tendered ballot papers” insert “or tendered postal ballot papers”.
(4)
“Tendered postal ballot papers10A.
In rule 40ZA60 after paragraph (10) insert—“(10A)
The same list may be used for each election.
(10B)
If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the tendered postal ballot papers were marked in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which a tendered postal ballot paper was marked.”
(5)
In paragraph 19, in the text inserted by that paragraph after “tendered ballot papers” insert “or tendered postal ballot papers”.
(6)
“Tendered postal ballot papers24A.
In rule 37A61 after paragraph (10) insert—“(10A)
The same list may be used for each election.
(10B)
If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the tendered postal ballot papers were marked in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which a tendered postal ballot paper was marked.”
(7)
(a)
before “Name of witness” insert “*”;
(b)
“*(Returning officer to omit where ballot papers sent to an anonymous elector.)”; and
(c)
in the section entitled “Instructions to the voter”, at the end of paragraph 1 insert “If you are an elector with an anonymous entry in the register, or you are the proxy for such a person, the name and address of the witness should not be included. However, you do need to sign this declaration in the presence of a witness and the witness must sign the form.”.