Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2)

Part III U.K. Legal Proceedings

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) by S.I. 1987/1, rules 2, 6 and S.I. 1986/2215, rules 2, 9 (which S.I. was revoked (2.1.2007) by S.I. 2006/3305, rule1(4), Sch. 1)

Pt. 3 applied (17.2.1994) by S.I. 1994/342, regs. 1(2)(3), 2(2), 11(2)

Pt. 3 extended (28.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/1214 reg. 5(3) (which S.I. was revoked (23.3.2004) by S.I. 2004/293, reg. 126)

Pt. 3 extended (9.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1184 reg. 7(2)

Pt. 3 extended (E.W.) (1.2.2002) by The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/185), reg. 6

C2 Pt. 3: power to apply conferred (S.) (14.9.2006) by Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9), ss. 3(4), 17(2); S.S.I. 2006/470, art. 2

C3 Pt. 3 modified (E.W.) (2.1.2007 for certain purposes) by The Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 (S.I. 2006/3305), rule 1(2)(3), 6

C4 Pt. 3 applied in part (with modifications) (S.) (17.2.2007 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Local Government Elections Order 2007 (S.S.I. 2007/42), art. 4

C5 Pt. 3 (ss. 120-186) applied (S.) (12.10.2009) by The Health Board Elections (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (S.S.I. 2009/352), reg. 6

C6 Pt. 3 applied in part (10.11.2011 except for the purposes of any election to be held on or before 2.5.2012) by The Scottish Local Government Elections Order 2011 (S.S.I. 2011/399), arts. 1(1), 4

C7 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (31.1.2017) by The Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/67), arts. 1, 7

C8 Pts. 2, 3 applied (with modifications) (W.) (17.12.2021) by The Local Elections (Communities) (Wales) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/1460), rules 1, 6(1) (with rule 2)

C9 Pt. 3 applied (with modifications) (4.3.2016) by The Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/295), reg. 1, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 (with Sch. 4 para. 2) (as amended (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Representation of the People (Postal Vote Handling and Secrecy) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1225), reg. 10(23))

Further provision as to avoidance of elections and striking off votes U.K.

166 Votes to be struck off for corrupt or illegal practices. U.K.

(1) Where, on a parliamentary election petition claiming the seat for any person, a candidate is proved to have been guilty by himself, or by any person on his behalf, of bribery, treating or undue influence in respect of any person who voted at the election there shall, on a scrutiny, be struck off from the number of votes appearing to have been given to the candidate one vote for every person who voted at the election and is proved to have been so bribed, treated or unduly influenced.

(2) If any person who is guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice or of illegal payment, employment or hiring at an election votes at the election, his vote shall be void.

(3) If any person who is subject under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices to an incapacity to vote at a parliamentary election [F1 , local government election or an election under the Local Government (Scotland) etc. Act 1994 (c. 39)][F2 to any public office in Scotland] votes at that election, his vote shall be void.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 166(3) substituted (S.) (2.5.2007) by Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9), ss. 5(1)(b), 17; S.S.I. 2007/25, art. 2(2)

F2 Words in s. 166(3) substituted (16.2.2001) by 2000 c. 41, s. 137, Sch. 17 para. 9, (with s. 156(6)); S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (with Sch. 1 Pt. II)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 S. 166 applied (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)-(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

S. 166 applied (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I

C11 S. 166 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1220), art. 3(1)(b)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

S. 166 applied (with modifications) (11.3.1999) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/787), art. 85(1)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. I (which S.I. was revoked (21.11.2002 except for specified purposes) by S.I. 2002/2779, arts. 1, 2 (which S.I. was revoked (15.3.2007) by S.I. 2007/937, art. 2(a)))

S. 166 applied (with modifications) (21.11.2002 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2779), arts. 1, 81, Sch. 6 Pt. I (which S.I. was revoked (15.3.2007) by S.I. 2007/937, art. 2(a))

S. 166 applied (with modifications) (15.3.2007 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/937), arts. 1, 83, Sch. 6 Pt. I

C12 S. 166 applied (with modifications) (30.12.2010 except for specified purposes) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2999), arts. 1(1), 84(1)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with art. 1(2)(3))

C13 S. 166 applied (with modifications) (S.) (16.12.2015) by The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/425), arts. 1(1), 82(1)(3), Sch. 6 Pt. 1 (with art. 1(2))

C14 S. 166(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by The Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599), art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

C15 S. 166(2)(3) applied (with modifications) (25.7.2012) by The Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1917), arts. 1(2), 50(6), Sch. 9 para. 1(5)