The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by the provisions set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.

In accordance with section 8(3) of the Electronic Communications Act 20001, the Secretary of State considers that the authorisation of the use of electronic communications by these Regulations for any purpose is such that the extent (if any) to which records of things done for that purpose will be available will be no less satisfactory in cases where use is made of electronic communications than in other cases.

The Secretary of State has consulted the Electoral Commission and the Information Commissioner and such other persons as the Secretary of State considered appropriate, in accordance with section 53(5) of the Representation of the People Act 19832 and section 7(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 20003.

In accordance with section 201(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, section 9(4) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and section 21(6) of the Recall of MPs Act 20154, a draft of this instrument was laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.