The Representation of the People (Postal and Proxy Voting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

Amendment of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022

22.—(1) The Voter Identification Regulations 2022 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 5 (identity document applications made through the digital service)—

(a) in paragraph (3), after “receives” insert “, subject to paragraph (4),”;

(b) after paragraph (3) insert—

“(4) Where an application made through the digital service includes the applicant’s national insurance number the Secretary of State—

(a) may send the registration officer that application without the national insurance number, and

(b) where the Secretary of State does so, must indicate to the registration officer that a national insurance number was included when the application was made by the applicant.”.

(3) In regulation 6 (verification of information provided in an identity document application), in paragraphs (4) and (7), after “Secretary” in the second place it occurs insert “of State”.

(4) In regulation 7 (power to request additional evidence where certain information is unavailable or where the registration officer considers it necessary)—

(a) in paragraph (7)(d), for “attestations under this regulation” substitute “a relevant identity attestation”;

(b) after paragraph (7) insert—

“(7A) In paragraph (7)(d), a relevant identity attestation is an attestation provided in accordance with—

(a) paragraph (6);

(b) regulation 26B(6) or 56C(6) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001;

(c) regulation 26B(6) or 56C(6) of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001;

(d) paragraph 16C(5) of Schedule 2 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012;

(e) regulation 72B(6) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016.”.

(5) In regulation 14 (processing of information provided in connection with an identity document application), in paragraph (2)(a), after “application” in the third place it occurs insert “transmitted to the registration officer by the Secretary of State”.