The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008

Overseas elector’s declarations

Contents of overseas elector’s declaration

20.—(1) In addition to the information required by section 2(3)(a) to (d) and (4) of the 1985 Act(1), an overseas elector’s declaration shall state the declarant’s full name and present address and, where appropriate, the information required by paragraphs (2) to (7).

(2) If the declarant—

(a) was last registered in pursuance of a service or other declaration, rather than actual residence at the address specified in pursuance of section 2(4)(b) of the 1985 Act; and

(b) no longer had a connection with that address at the time at which he was so registered,

the declaration shall include a statement that the declarant was so registered.

(3) If the declarant claims that his name has changed since he was last registered in respect of the address specified in the overseas elector’s declaration in accordance with section 2(4)(b) of the 1985 Act, that declaration shall—

(a) set out the name in respect of which the declarant was last previously registered; and

(b) give the reason for the change of name.

(4) Where a declarant—

(a) has on a previous occasion been registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration; and

(b) has not, since being so registered, been registered in such a register by virtue of being resident or treated for the purposes of registration as resident at an address in the United Kingdom,

his overseas elector’s declaration shall state those facts and indicate when he was last registered in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration.

(5) For the purposes of the application of this regulation by regulation 14(5), paragraph (4) shall have effect as if, in addition to the modifications made by that regulation, the words “a register of local electors” were substituted for the words “such a register”.

(6) Where a declarant has not made an overseas elector’s declaration in pursuance of which he was registered in a register of parliamentary electors since being included in such a register by virtue of being resident or treated for the purposes of registration as resident at an address in the United Kingdom, or has never made such a declaration, his overseas elector’s declaration shall state—

(a) in the case of a declarant who is the bearer of a British passport which describes his national status as “British citizen”, the number of that passport together with its date and place of issue; or

(b) in the case of a declarant who is not the bearer of such a passport, but who was born in the United Kingdom before 1st January 1983, those facts; or

(c) in the case of a declarant who is not the bearer of such a passport and who was not born in the United Kingdom before 1st January 1983, when and how he acquired the status of British citizen, together with the date, place and country of his birth.

(7) For the purposes of the application of this regulation by regulation 14(5), paragraph (6) shall have effect as if, in addition to the modifications made by that regulation, the words “a register of local electors” were substituted for the words “such a register”.

(8) Where, in the case of a declarant to whom regulation 21 applies (and who is accordingly required to transmit a copy of his birth certificate together with his declaration), his name on his birth certificate is not the same as his name as given in his overseas elector’s declaration, that declaration shall state the reason for the change of name.

(9) Where a declarant to whom regulation 21 applies relies on the registration of either—

(a) a parent whose name in the register referred to in section 1(4)(c) of the 1985 Act(2) is not the same as the name of that parent as given in either the declarant’s birth certificate or overseas elector’s declaration in accordance with section 2(4)(c)(iii) of the 1985 Act; or

(b) a guardian whose name in the register referred to in section 1(4)(c) of the 1985 Act is not the same as the name of that guardian as given in the declarant’s overseas elector’s declaration in accordance with section 2(4)(c)(iii) of the 1985 Act,

that declaration shall state the name of the parent or, as the case may be, guardian as given in the register referred to in section 1(4)(c) and, where known, the reason for the change of name or, where such reason is not known, a statement to that effect.

(10) For the purposes of the application of this regulation by regulation 14(5), paragraph (9) shall have effect as if, in addition to the modifications made by that regulation, the words “section 3(4)(c)” were substituted for the words “section 1(4)(c)”, in each place where those words occur.

Certain declarants to supply copy of birth certificates

21.—(1) This regulation applies to a person who makes an overseas elector’s declaration in which he claims to be qualified as an overseas elector by virtue of the conditions set out in section 1(4) of the 1985 Act, and who has not on a previous occasion made an overseas elector’s declaration in pursuance of which he was registered in a register of parliamentary electors.

(2) For the purposes of the application of this regulation by regulation 14(5), paragraph (1) shall have effect as if, in addition to the modifications made by that regulation, the words “section 3(4)” were substituted for the words “section 1(4)”.

(3) Where this regulation applies, a declarant shall transmit together with his overseas elector’s declaration a copy of his birth certificate which shows the names of either or both of his parents as well as his date of birth.

Attestation of certain overseas electors’ declarations

22.—(1) An overseas elector’s declaration shall be attested in accordance with the following paragraphs of this regulation except—

(a) where the declarant has on a previous occasion made such a declaration in pursuance of which he was registered in a register of parliamentary electors; and

(b) since being so registered, he has not been included in any register of parliamentary electors by virtue of being resident or treated for the purposes of registration as resident at an address in the United Kingdom.

(2) For the purposes of the application of this regulation by regulation 14(5), paragraph (1) shall have effect as if, in addition to the modifications made by that regulation, the word “local” were substituted for the word “parliamentary” in the second place where it occurs.

(3) An overseas elector’s declaration shall be attested by the bearer of a British passport which describes his national status as a “British citizen” who—

(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom;

(b) is aged 18 years or over; and

(c) is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the declarant.

(4) A person shall not attest an overseas elector’s declaration unless he is satisfied, to the best of his knowledge and belief, that the declarant is a British citizen who is not resident in the United Kingdom on the date of the declaration.

(5) A person attesting an overseas elector’s declaration shall record on it—

(a) his full name and address;

(b) that he is the bearer of a British passport which describes his national status as a “British citizen”, and the number of that passport together with its date and place of issue;

(c) that he is aged 18 years or over;

(d) that he is not resident in the United Kingdom on the date of the declaration;

(e) that he is not the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the declarant; and

(f) that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the declarant is a British citizen who is not resident in the United Kingdom on the date of the declaration,

and he shall sign the attestation.

Notification about registration as overseas elector

23.—(1) Where the registration officer is satisfied that the declarant qualifies as an overseas elector under the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of the 1985 Act, he shall so notify the declarant.

(2) Where the registration officer rejects an application for registration in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration because—

(a) in his opinion the declarant does not qualify as an overseas elector under section 1 of the 1985 Act, or

(b) the declaration does not satisfy the requirements of section 2 of the 1985 Act or regulation 20 or 22, or

(c) in the case of a person to whom regulation 21 applies, the requirement in that regulation has not been complied with,

he shall return the declaration to the declarant and set out his reasons for rejecting the application for registration.

(3) For the purposes of the application of this regulation by regulation 14(5), paragraphs (1) and (2) shall have effect as if, in addition to the modifications made by that regulation—

(a) in paragraph (1), for the words “sections 1 and 2” there were substituted the words “sections 2 and 3”, and

(b) in paragraph (2), for the words “section 1” there were substituted the words “section 3”.

(1)

Section 2 was substituted by Schedule 2 to the 2000 Act and amended by section 12(9) of the 2006 Act.

(2)

Section 1 of the 1985 Act was substituted by Schedule 2 to the 2000 Act.