2015 No. 221

Representation Of The People, Northern Ireland

The Parliamentary Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2015

Made

Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1(2)

In accordance with section 201(2) of the Representation of the People Act 19831, a draft of these Regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

In accordance with section 7(1) and (2)(e) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 20002, the Secretary of State has consulted with the Electoral Commission prior to these Regulations being made.

Accordingly, the Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 53(1)(c), 201(1) and (3) and 202(1) of, and rules 24(1)(c) and (3), 28(3) and (3A), and 32(3) of Schedule 1 to, the Representation of the People Act 19833 and section 15(5) of the Representation of the People Act 19854.

Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation1

1

These Regulations may be cited as the Parliamentary Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2015.

2

These Regulations come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.

3

These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland only.

4

In these Regulations, “the 2008 Regulations” means the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 20085.

Amendments relating to the declaration of identity2

1

In regulation 71(b) of the 2008 Regulations, for the words “a local” substitute “another”.

2

In regulation 87 of the 2008 Regulations (procedure in relation to declarations of identity)—

a

in paragraph (1)(a), omit the words “and given his name and address”; and

b

after paragraph (1) insert—

1A

A person must not sign the declaration as a witness under paragraph (1)(a) unless he is—

a

aged 18 years or over; and

b

satisfied to the best of his knowledge and belief as to the identity of the voter.

Amendment of Schedule 3 to the 2008 Regulations (Forms)3

1

Schedule 3 to the 2008 Regulations (Forms) is amended as follows.

2

Replace Form A (elector’s official poll card) with the form in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

3

Replace Form A1 (elector’s official postal poll card)6 with the form in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

4

Replace Form B (proxy’s official poll card) with the form in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

5

Replace Form B1 (proxy’s official postal poll card)7 with the form in Schedule 4 to these Regulations.

6

Replace Form E (proxy paper)8 with the form in Schedule 5 to these Regulations.

7

Replace Form F (certificate of employment) with the form in Schedule 6 to these Regulations.

8

Replace Form L (declaration of identity)9 with the form in Schedule 7 to these Regulations.

9

Replace Form M (declaration of identity (combined polls))10 with the form in Schedule 8 to these Regulations.

Andrew MurrisonParliamentary Under Secretary of StateNorthern Ireland Office

SCHEDULE 1Form A

Regulation 3(2)

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SCHEDULE 2Form A1

Regulation 3(3)

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SCHEDULE 3Form B

Regulation 3(4)

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SCHEDULE 4Form B1

Regulation 3(5)

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SCHEDULE 5Form E

Regulation 3(6)

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SCHEDULE 6Form F

Regulation 3(7)

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SCHEDULE 7Form L

Regulation 3(8)

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SCHEDULE 8Form M

Regulation 3(9)

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the forms used at parliamentary elections held in Northern Ireland for poll cards, postal poll cards, proxy poll cards, proxy postal poll cards, declarations of identity, proxy papers and certificates of employment. These Regulations also remove the requirement for a witness to a declaration of identity to provide a name and address and define who may act as a witness.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.