The Representation of the People (Electronic Communications and Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020

Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

11.—(1) Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985(1) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 1 (absent vote at local elections for an indefinite period)(2)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (7) substitute—

“(7) For the purposes of this paragraph, a person is to be treated as a person who is or will be digitally registered if the person meets the condition in sub-paragraph (7A) or the condition in sub-paragraph (7B).

(7A) A person meets the condition in this sub-paragraph if—

(a) the person’s registration in the register of local electors is or will be pursuant to an application submitted through the UK digital service, and

(b) where, since the submission of that application, any form has been completed in respect of the person in connection with a canvass under section 10 of the 1983 Act, the last such form was submitted through the UK digital service.

(7B) A person meets the condition in this sub-paragraph if—

(a) the last form to be completed in respect of the person in connection with a canvass under section 10 of the 1983 Act was submitted through the UK digital service, and

(b) where, since the submission of that form, any application for registration in the register of local electors has been made in respect of the person, the last such application was submitted through the UK digital service.”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (8), in the definition of “the UK digital service”, for “the reference to an application” substitute “references to a form or application”.

(3) In paragraph 2 (absent vote at a particular local election and absent voters list)(3)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (6) substitute—

“(6) For the purposes of this paragraph, a person is to be treated as a person who is or will be digitally registered if the person meets the condition in sub-paragraph (6A) or the condition in sub-paragraph (6B).

(6A) A person meets the condition in this sub-paragraph if—

(a) the person’s registration in the register of local electors is or will be pursuant to an application submitted through the UK digital service, and

(b) where, since the submission of that application, any form has been completed in respect of the person in connection with a canvass under section 10 of the 1983 Act, the last such form was submitted through the UK digital service.

(6B) A person meets the condition in this sub-paragraph if—

(a) the last form to be completed in respect of the person in connection with a canvass under section 10 of the 1983 Act was submitted through the UK digital service, and

(b) where, since the submission of that form, any application for registration in the register of local electors has been made in respect of the person, the last such application was submitted through the UK digital service.”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (7), in the definition of “the UK digital service”, for “the reference to an application” substitute “references to a form or application”.

(1)

S.I. 1985/454.

(2)

Paragraph 1 was substituted by S.I. 1987/168 and amended by S.I. 2018/699.

(3)

Paragraph 2 was substituted by S.I. 1987/168 and amended by S.I. 2018/699.