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PART 11 Miscellaneous Amendments and Transitional Provision

Maundy Thursday

48.—(1) In regulation 8(3) omit the words “Maundy Thursday,”.

(2) In regulation 56(6)(81) omit the words “Maundy Thursday,”.

Additional requirement for postal vote applications

49.  After regulation 51A insert–

“Additional requirement for applications for ballot papers to be sent to different address from that stated in application

51AA.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where–

(a) in the case of an application to vote by post under paragraph 3(1) or (7) or 4(1) of Schedule 4(82), the addresses stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(b)(83) and (d) are different;

(b) in the case of an application by a proxy to vote by post under paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 4(84), the proxy’s address stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(c) and the address stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(d) are different.

(2) The application must set out why the applicant’s circumstances will be or are likely to be such that he requires the ballot paper to be sent to the address stated in accordance with regulation 51(2)(d).

(3) This regulation does not apply where an applicant has, or has applied for, an anonymous entry.”.

Amendments relating to requirement to make notification to absent voters

50.—(1) Regulation 57(85) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (4B)–

(a) after “paragraph 3(4)” insert “or 7(6)”;

(b) after “shall” insert “where practicable”.

(3) In paragraph (4C) after “shall” insert “where practicable”.

(4) Omit paragraph (7).

Persons entitled to be present at proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers: observers

51.  Regulations 67 and 68 are amended by inserting at the beginning of each regulation the words “Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D or 6E of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000(86),”.

Envelopes

52.  In regulation 74, at the beginning of paragraph (3)(c) insert “unless the envelope has a window through which the number on the ballot paper (or ballot papers) can be displayed,”.

Restrictions on supply of full register and disclosure of information from it

53.  In regulation 94(2)(87), after “also”, where it first occurs, insert “the returning officer at any election or”.

Replacement of declarations of identity by postal voting statements

54.  In the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001(88)–

(a) for each reference to “declaration of identity” or “declarations of identity” substitute “postal voting statement” or “postal voting statements” respectively; and

(b) in each of the following places at which there is another reference to “declaration”, substitute “statement”–

(i) regulation 79(1)(b),

(ii) paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (7) of regulation 85(89), and

(iii) paragraphs (1) and (4) of regulation 88.

Form of Postal Voting Statement

55.  In Schedule 3, for Form G, Form H and Form J substitute the Form G, Form H and Form J set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

Transitional provision: regulation 31J

56.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies until paragraph 2(1) and (2) of Schedule 2 to the Children Act 2004(90) comes into force.

(2) Regulation 31J(91) must be read as if for sub paragraphs (g) to (i) of paragraph (4) there were substituted–

“(g) any director of social services in England or Wales within the meaning of section 6(1) of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970(92);”.

SCHEDULE 1 Enabling Powers

These Regulations are made under the following powers–

(a) sections 7(3)(aa), 7A(3)(aa), 7C(2)(aa), 10A(5)(b), 13B, 15(2)(aa), and 53 of, rule 57 in Schedule 1 to, and paragraphs 2A, 2B, 3A, 5A, 8A, 10, 12 and 13(1A) of Schedule 2 to, the Representation of the People Act 1983(93);

(b) having regard to the definition of “prescribed” in section 202(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, section 10A(1)(a), 10A(3), 13A(1)(a), rules 19A, 24, 28(3), 31A and 45(1B) in Schedule 1 to, and paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 2A to, that Act(94);

(c) sections 2(2)(aa) and 15(5) of the Representation of the People Act 1985(95);

(d) having regard to the definition of “prescribed” in section 202(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000(96), paragraphs 3(1)(b) and (2)(c), 4(1)(b), (2)(c) and (4)(a), 6(7) and (8) and 7(5)(c) of that Schedule; and

(e) section 42 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006(97).