The Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2024

Amendment of paragraph 19 (disposal of documents)

8.  In paragraph 19(1)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1), after “12A(11)” insert “, 15G(1)(a)”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) The returning officer must also forward to the proper officer of the relevant council(2) the list compiled in accordance with paragraph 15H(1), together with the packets made up in accordance with paragraph 15G(1)(b) and resealed in accordance with paragraph 15H(6)(c), as soon as reasonably practicable after the registration officer has met the duty in paragraph 15I(2) in relation to each elector on the list.”;

(c) at the end of sub-paragraph (3) insert “, subject to sub-paragraph (4)”;

(d) after sub-paragraph (3) insert—

“(4) For the purposes of the application of rules 59 and 60 of the Local Election Rules(3) to the packets and documents forwarded under this paragraph, the following are to be treated in the same manner as a counted ballot paper—

(a) the list compiled in accordance with paragraph 15H(1) and any extracts from it;

(b) return of postal voting documents forms.”.

(1)

Paragraph 19 was amended by S.I. 2014/1116.

(2)

For the meaning of “proper officer” and “relevant council”, see paragraph 19(1) of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to S.I. 1985/454.

(3)

For the meaning of “Local Election Rules”, see article 2(3) of S.I. 1985/454, by virtue of which the definition of “Local Election Rules” in section 130(1) of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 applies.