Representation of the People Bill — Bill 418 2024-26 (as amended in Committee)

Representation of the People Bill
[AS AMENDED IN COMMITTEE]
CONTENTS
PART 1
YOUNG VOTERS
Extension of right to vote etc to 16 and 17 year olds
1 Extension of right to vote etc
2 Disenfranchisement of detained 16 and 17 year olds
Registration and participation in elections etc
3 Entitlement to be registered before reaching voting age
4 Declarations of local connection: looked after children and detained persons
5 Service declarations
6 Further provision about registration and participation in elections etc
Protection of information relating to persons aged under 16
7 Prohibition on registration officers disclosing information
8 Exceptions from prohibitions on disclosure
9 Exceptions for combined information
10 Exceptions for combined information under devolved legislation
11 Meaning of “relevant supply enactment”
12 Prohibition on onward disclosure of information
13 Power to make further provision about disclosure of information
14 Interpretation of sections 7 to 13
Duty to raise awareness and provide assistance
15 Duty to raise awareness and provide assistance: Great Britain
16 Duty to raise awareness and provide assistance: Northern Ireland
PART 2
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
Registration, and alteration of registers, without an application
17 Registration without an application
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18 Alteration of registers without an application
19 Registration etc without an application: further provision
Piloting changes to the voter registration process
20 Power to pilot changes to the voter registration process
21 Voter registration provision
22 Further powers and restrictions
23 Parliamentary procedure
24 Electoral Commission report
25 Interpretation of sections 20 to 24
Northern Ireland canvass
26 Power to amend the canvass in Northern Ireland
27 Electoral Commission report on proposals under section 26
28 Power to pilot proposals under section 26
29 Electoral Commission report on pilot regulations
Other provision about registration
30 Local connection and service declarations ceasing to have effect
31 Seniority of electoral registration officers
32 Anonymous registration
33 Pre-election applications for registration
34 Pre-election alteration of Northern Ireland registers: supporting evidence
35 Electoral identity card issued in Northern Ireland: month and year of birth
36 Regulations as to registration etc: information to assist registration officers
37 Edited register: electors to opt in
PART 3
CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS ETC
Returning officers
38 Provision of assistance by local authority officers to returning officers
39 Seniority of returning officers
Rules
40 Timing of proceedings for nominations
41 Identification of candidates at parliamentary elections
42 Identification of candidates at local elections in Northern Ireland
43 Withdrawal of certificates authorising candidate descriptions
44 Subscription of nomination paper
45 Police contact form
46 Calling out and completed corresponding number lists etc
47 Voter identification requirements
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Absent voting
48 Absent voting
Information to help people understand elections etc
49 Power to obtain election-related information etc
50 Specified officers
51 Specified elections etc
Other provision about the conduct of elections etc
52 Effect of the death of the Sovereign on certain elections and referendums
53 Form of documents for elections and referendums
PART 4
CAMPAIGNS AND POLITICAL EXPENDITURE
The election agent
54 Removal of requirement to publish election agents’ addresses
Campaign expenses and returns
55 Leave to pay late and disputed expenses claims
56 Delivery and inspection of returns and declarations
57 Recall campaign donations: transfer of powers to prescribe content of returns
Control of political donations
58 Risk assessments for donations to registered parties etc
59 Permissible donors not to include individuals under 16
60 Donations by companies and LLPs etc
61 Forfeiture of certain donations to registered parties etc
62 Unincorporated associations making political contributions
63 Power of Scottish Ministers to vary sums in Schedule 7 to PPERA 2000
Information to be included with electronic material
64 Electronic material promoted by third parties
65 Electoral Commission guidance relating to electronic material: minor revisions
PART 5
ENFORCEMENT AND THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Enforcement
66 Decriminalisation of certain requirements
67 Extension of Electoral Commission’s enforcement functions
68 Abolition of maximum penalties in respect of offences triable summarily
69 Civil sanctions orders: combining reserved and devolved provision
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Electoral Commission
70 Removal of strategy and policy statement
71 Disclosure of information by Electoral Commission
PART 6
HOSTILITY TOWARDS CANDIDATES ETC: DISQUALIFICATION ORDERS AND SENTENCING
72 Hostility towards officers and their staff
73 Hostility as aggravating factor: England and Wales and armed forces
74 Hostility as aggravating factor: Scotland and Northern Ireland
75 Effect of Scottish disqualification orders
76 Effect of disqualification orders: minor and consequential provision
PART 7
GENERAL
77 Power to make consequential provision
78 Power to amend references to subordinate legislation etc
79 Interpretation of references to other Acts
80 Financial provision
81 Extent
82 Commencement
83 Short title
Further provision about registration of young voters etc Schedule 1 —
Amendments of enactments Part 1 —
Alignment of registers Part 2 —
Registration etc without an application: further provision Schedule 2 —
Absent voting Schedule 3 —
Absent voting in Great Britain Part 1 —
Absent voting in Northern Ireland Part 2 —
Other provision relating to absent voting Part 3 —
Effect of the death of the Sovereign on certain elections and
referendums
Schedule 4 —
Form of documents for elections and referendums Schedule 5 —
Leave to pay late and disputed expenses claims Schedule 6 —
Delivery of returns and declarations directly to the Electoral
Commission
Schedule 7 —
Risk assessments for donations to registered parties etc Schedule 8 —
Unincorporated associations making political contributions Schedule 9 —
Decriminalisation of certain administrative requirements Schedule 10 —
Abolition of offences Part 1 —
Consequential amendments Part 2 —
Extension of Electoral Commission’s enforcement functions Schedule 11 —
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Amendments of PPERA 2000 Part 1 —
Minor and consequential amendments of other legislation Part 2 —
v Representation of the People Bill

[AS AMENDED IN COMMITTEE]
A
BILL
TO
Make provision extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds; to make
provision about the registration of voters; to make provision about the
administration and conduct of elections, referendums and recall petitions; to
make provision about election agents’ addresses; to make provision about
political expenditure and political donations; to make provision about
information to be included in electronic campaigning material; to make
provision about offences and civil sanctions in connection with elections,
referendums and recall petitions and with donations and expenditure for
political purposes; to repeal provision about the designation of a strategy and
policy statement for the Electoral Commission; to make provision about the
disclosure of information by the Electoral Commission; to make provision
about the disqualification of offenders for holding elective offices, and their
sentencing, where offences are aggravated by hostility towards persons
involved in elections, referendums or recall petitions or holders of such offices;
and for connected purposes.
B
E IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and
consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present
Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
PART 1
YOUNG VOTERS
Extension of right to vote etc to 16 and 17 year olds
1 Extension of right to vote etc
5(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4).
(2) In section 1 (parliamentary electors), in subsection (1)(d), for “18” substitute
“16”.
(3) In section 2 (local government electors)—
(a)
10
in subsection (1)(d), for the words from “18” to the end substitute “16
years or over).”;
(b) omit subsection (1A).
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Part 1—Young voters

(4) In Schedule 6 (ward elections in the City of London)—
(a) in paragraph 2, for “18”, in both places it occurs, substitute “16”;
(b) in paragraph 3, for “18” substitute “16”.
(5)
5
In section 1 of the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (local
electors in Northern Ireland)—
(a) in subsection (1)(d), for “eighteen” substitute “16”;
(b) in subsection (4), for “eighteen” substitute “16”.
(6) In section 52 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (persons
10
entitled to vote in an election of a police and crime commissioner for a police
area in Wales), in subsection (1C)(a)(ii), for “18” substitute “16”.
(7) In section 10 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (persons entitled to sign a recall
petition), in subsection (1)(b), for “18 or over, or the date of his or her 18th”
substitute “16 or over, or the date of the person’s 16th”.
2 Disfranchisement of detained 16 and 17 year olds
15(1) Section 3 of RPA 1983 (disfranchisement of offenders in prison etc) is amended
as set out in subsections (2) and (3).
(2) After subsection (1) insert—
“(1ZA) A convicted person is legally incapable of voting at a parliamentary
20
election or a local government election in England during the time
that the person—
(a) is detained in youth detention accommodation in pursuance
of the person’s sentence, or
(b) would be so detained but for the fact the person is unlawfully
at large.”
25(3) In subsection (2), after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba) “youth detention accommodation” means—
(i) accommodation that is youth detention accommodation
as defined in section 248(1) of the Sentencing Code,
other than accommodation that is a penal institution;
30(ii) a residential establishment or secure accommodation
within the meaning of the Children’s Hearings
(Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1) (see section 202(1) of that
Act);
(iii)
35
in the case of a person who is the subject of a direction
under section 205(2) or 208(1) of the Criminal Procedure
(Scotland) Act 1995, the place specified in the direction;
(iv) a juvenile justice centre within the meaning of Article
51(1) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern
Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1504 (N.I. 9)); and”.
40(4) Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (application
and modification of RPA 1983) is amended as follows—
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Part 1—Young voters

(a) in Part 1 (provisions applied), in the entry beginning “Section 3(1)”,
for “Section 3(1)” substitute “Section 3(1), (1ZA)”;
(b) in Part 2 (modifications), before paragraph 7 (and under the heading
“Specific”) insert—
5“6A In section 3(1ZA) omit “in England”.”
Registration and participation in elections etc
3 Entitlement to be registered before reaching voting age
(1) Section 4 of RPA 1983 (entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local
government elector) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (5).
10(2) After subsection (4) insert—
“(4A) A person not of voting age is entitled to be registered in a register of
parliamentary electors (under subsection (1)) or a register of local
government electors in England or Scotland (under subsection (3)) if,
on the relevant date, the person—
15(a) is aged 14 years or over, and
(b) would be entitled to be registered under subsection (1) or (3)
(as the case may be) if they were of voting age.
(4B) Where a person is registered in reliance on subsection (4A)—
(a)
20
the person’s entry in the register must give the date on which
the person will attain voting age, and
(b) until the date in the entry (“the attainment date”) the person
is not to be treated as an elector other than for the purpose of
an election the date of the poll for which is on or after the
attainment date.”
25(3) In subsection (5)—
(a) for “subsection (1)(d) or (3)(d), as the case may be” substitute
“subsection (3)(d)”;
(b) for the words from “parliamentary” to “if” substitute “local government
electors in Wales if”.
30(4) In subsection (5A)—
(a) for “subsection (5)” substitute “subsection (4A) or (5)”;
(b) for “paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection” substitute “subsections
(4B)(a) and (5)(a) and (b)”.
(5) Omit subsections (5B) and (5C).
35(6) In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
(modification of RPA 1983), in paragraph 7, after sub-paragraph (2) insert—
“(3) In section 4(4A) omit “in England or Scotland”.”
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Part 1—Young voters

4 Declarations of local connection: looked after children and detained persons
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (9).
(2) Section 7B (notional residence: declarations of local connection) is amended
as set out in subsections (3) to (8).
5(3) In subsection (2) (description of who can make a declaration of local
connection), after paragraph (c) insert “, or
(d) a person who does not fall within any of paragraphs (a) to (c)
above and who is a person to whom section 7BA applies
10
(children etc looked after by a local authority or detained in
secure accommodation).”
(4) Omit the following—
(a) subsections (2A) and (2B);
(b) subsection (2C);
(c) subsection (2D).
15(5) In subsection (3) (contents of declaration)—
(a) omit the “and” at the end of subsection (3)(c)(i);
(b) in paragraph (c), after sub-paragraph (ii) insert “, and—
(iii) (in the case of a person falling within subsection
20
(2)(d) above) the declarant’s age and either the
name of the local authority or the address of the
secure accommodation;”.
(6) In subsection (4) (meaning of “required address”)—
(a) after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba)
25
in the case of a person falling within subsection (2)(d)
above, an address in the United Kingdom at which the
person has resided;”;
(b) omit paragraph (c).
(7) After subsection (6) insert—
“(6A) A declaration of local connection—
30(a) does not have effect for the purposes of a person’s registration
in a register of parliamentary electors if the person would not
be entitled to be registered in the register pursuant to the
declaration,
(b)
35
does not have effect for the purposes of a person’s registration
in a register of local government electors if the person would
not be entitled to be registered in the register pursuant to the
declaration,
(c) does not have effect for the purposes of a person’s registration
40
in a register of parliamentary electors or in a register of local
government electors in England where—
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(i) the declaration is made by virtue of subsection (2)(d),
and
(ii) the person is a person legally incapable of voting by
5
reason of falling within section 3(1) or (1ZA) or section
3A, and
(d) does not have effect for the purposes of a person’s registration
in a register of electors where—
(i) the declaration is made by virtue of subsection (2)(d),
and
10(ii) the person does not meet the conditions in section
7BA(1) as they have effect for the purposes of the
register concerned.”
(8) Omit the following—
(a) subsection (7);
15(b) subsections (7A) to (7C).
(9) After section 7B insert—
“7BA Declarations of local connection: looked after or detained children
and young persons
(1) This section applies to a person who—
20(a) is under the applicable age, and
(b) meets either of the requirements in subsection (2).
(2) The requirements are that—
(a) the person is, or has been, a child looked after by a local
authority, or
25(b) the person is being kept in secure accommodation.
(3) In this section, the “applicable age” means—
(a) for the purposes of a register of parliamentary electors or a
register of local government electors in England or Scotland,
the age of 21, and
30(b) for the purposes of a register of local government electors in
Wales, the age of 18.
(4) In the application of this section for the purposes of a person’s
registration as a parliamentary elector—
(a)
35
the reference in subsection (2) to a child looked after by a local
authority—
(i) for the purposes of the registration of electors in
England, is to be read in accordance with section 22 of
the Children Act 1989 (duties of local authorities in
relation to looked after children);
40(ii) for the purposes of the registration of electors in Wales,
has the same meaning as in the Social Services and
Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 1) (see section 74 of
that Act);
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(iii) for the purposes of the registration of electors in
Scotland, is to be construed in accordance with section
17(6) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (duty of local
authorities in relation to looked after children);
5(iv) for the purposes of the registration of electors in
Northern Ireland, means a child who is looked after by
an authority within the meaning of the Children
(Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2))
(see Article 25 of that Order);
10(b) “secure accommodation”—
(i) for the purposes of the registration of electors in
England, means accommodation within any of
paragraphs (d) to (f) of section 248(1) of the Sentencing
Code;
15(ii) for the purposes of the registration of electors in Wales,
means accommodation in the United Kingdom provided
for the purpose of lawfully restricting the liberty of
persons under the age of 18, other than a penal
institution within the meaning of section 3(2)(b);
20(iii) for the purposes of the registration of electors in
Scotland, has the same meaning as in the Children’s
Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1) (see section 202(1)
of that Act);
(iv)
25
for the purposes of the registration of electors in
Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as in Article
44 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I.
1995/755 (N.I. 2)).
(5) In the application of this section for the purposes of the person’s
registration as a local government elector in England—
30(a) the reference in subsection (2) to a child looked after by a local
authority is to be read in accordance with section 22 of the
Children Act 1989 (duties of local authorities in relation to
looked after children), and
(b)
35
“secure accommodation” means accommodation within any of
paragraphs (d) to (f) of section 248(1) of the Sentencing Act
2020.
(6) In the application of this section for the purposes of the person’s
registration as a local government elector in Wales—
(a)
40
the reference in subsection (2) to a child looked after by a local
authority has the same meaning as in the Social Services and
Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 1) (see section 74 of that
Act), and
(b) a person is kept in “secure accommodation” if the person is
45
kept in accommodation in the United Kingdom provided for
the purpose of lawfully restricting the liberty of persons under
the age of 18, other than a penal institution within the meaning
of section 3(2)(b).
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Part 1—Young voters

(7) In the application of this section for the purposes of the person’s
registration as a local government elector in Scotland—
(a) the reference in subsection (2) to a child looked after by a local
5
authority is to be construed in accordance with section 17(6)
of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (duty of local authorities
in relation to looked after children), and
(b) “secure accommodation” has the meaning given by paragraph
(a) of the definition of “secure accommodation” in section 202(1)
of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1).”
10(10) Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
(modification of RPA 1983) is amended as set out in subsections (11) and (12).
(11) In paragraph 7A (modifications of section 7B of RPA 1983)—
(a) after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba) in subsection (6A), in paragraph (c), omit “in England”;”;
15(b) omit paragraph (c).
(12) After paragraph 7A insert—
“7B In section 7BA—
(a) in subsection (3)(a), omit “in England or Scotland”;
(b) for subsection (5) there is substituted—
20“(5) In the application of this section for the purposes of
the person’s registration as a local elector in Northern
Ireland—
(a) the reference in subsection (2) to a child
25
looked after by a local authority, means a
child who is looked after by an authority
within the meaning of the Children (Northern
Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2))
(see Article 25 of that Order), and
(b)
30
“secure accommodation” has the same
meaning as in Article 44 of the Children
(Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/755
(N.I. 2)).””
5 Service declarations
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (5).
35(2) In section 14 (service qualification)—
(a) after subsection (1) insert—
“(1ZA) A person also has a service qualification for the purposes of
this Act if—
(a) the person is under the relevant age,
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(b) a parent or guardian of the person has a service
qualification under any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of
subsection (1), and
(c)
5
the person is residing at a particular place in order to
be with that parent or guardian.
(1ZB) In this section, the “relevant age” is—
(a) where the person is relying on a service qualification
to make a service declaration for the purposes of a
10
register of parliamentary electors, or of local government
electors in England, the age of 19,
(b) where the person is relying on a service qualification
to make a service declaration for the purposes of a
register of local government electors in Wales, the age
of 18, and
15(c) where the person is relying on a service qualification
to make a service declaration for the purposes of a
register of local government electors in Scotland, the
age of 18.”;
(b) omit subsection (1A).
20(3) In section 15 (service declarations)—
(a) in subsection (2)—
(i) omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (b);
(ii) after paragraph (c) insert “or
(d)
25
in a case in which the service declaration was
made by virtue of a service qualification under
section 14(1ZA), the person attains the relevant
age (as defined in section 14(1ZB)),”;
(b) omit subsections (3A) to (3C);
(c) omit subsection (5);
30(d) omit subsections (5A) to (5C);
(e) before subsection (6) insert—
“(5D) A service declaration—
(a) does not have effect for the purposes of a person’s
35
registration in a register of parliamentary electors if the
person would not be entitled to be registered in the
register pursuant to the declaration,
(b) does not have effect for the purposes of a person’s
registration in a register of local government electors if
40
the person would not be entitled to be registered in the
register pursuant to the declaration, and
(c) does not have effect for the purposes of a person’s
registration in a register of local government electors
in Wales or Scotland where—
(i)
45
the declaration is made by virtue of a service
qualification under section 14(1ZA), and
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(ii) the person is not under the relevant age for the
purposes of the register (as defined in section
14(1ZB)).”;
(f) after subsection (9) insert—
5“(9A) For the purposes of a register of parliamentary electors or of
local government electors in England, the Secretary of State
may by order provide that, in relation to persons registered in
pursuance of a qualifying child’s service declaration, subsection
10
(2)(a) has effect as if for the period of 12 months there were
substituted such other period (not exceeding 5 years) as the
Secretary of State thinks appropriate.
(9B) For the purposes of subsection (9A), a person has a “qualifying
child’s service declaration” if—
(a)
15
they have a service declaration by virtue of a service
qualification under section 14(1ZA), and
(b) they satisfy the condition in section 14(1ZA)(b) by
reason of their parent or guardian having a service
qualification under paragraph (a) or (d) of section
14(1).”;
20(g) in subsection (10), after “subsection (9)” insert “or (9A)”;
(h) in subsection (11), after “subsection (9)” insert “or (9A)”;
(i) in subsection (12), after “subsection (9)” insert “or (9A)”.
(4) In section 16 (contents of service declaration)—
(a)
25
the existing text, as it extends to Northern Ireland, becomes subsection
(1);
(b) in subsection (1) omit the words after paragraph (g);
(c) after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) A service declaration must be attested in the prescribed manner,
except where the declarant is—
30(a) a member of the forces or the spouse or civil partner
of such a member, or
(b) a person claiming to have a service qualification under
section 14(1ZA).”;
(d) omit subsection (2).
35(5) In section 17 (effect of service declaration)—
(a) in subsection (1)(a), for “section 16(d)” substitute “section 16(1)(d)”;
(b) after subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) Where a service declaration was made by virtue of a service
40
qualification under section 14(1ZA), a person who has attained
the relevant age (as defined in section 14(1ZB)) is not to be
treated as continuing to have a service qualification by reason
of subsection (2) of this section.”;
(c) omit subsection (3).
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(6) In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
(modification of RPA 1983)—
(a) before paragraph 11A insert—
“11ZA In section 14(1ZB)(a) omit “in England”.”;
5(b) for paragraph 11A substitute—
“11A In section 15, in subsection (9A), omit “in England”.”
6 Further provision about registration and participation in elections etc
Schedule 1 makes further provision in connection with the registration of
young people and their participation in elections and recall petitions.
10Protection of information relating to persons aged under 16
7 Prohibition on registration officers disclosing information
(1) A registration officer must not publish, supply or otherwise disclose
registration information relating to a person who, at the time of the
publication, supply or other disclosure, is under 16.
15(2) Subsection (1) is subject to—
(a) sections 8 and 9;
(b) regulations under section 13.
(3) In this section and sections 8 to 13, “registration information” means all or
part of an entry in—
20(a) a voters register,
(b) an absent voters record or list, or
(c) an overseas electors list.
(4) In this section and sections 8 to 13—
“absent voters record or list” means—
25(a) so far as relating to parliamentary elections or to local
government elections in England—
(i) a record kept under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule
4 to RPA 2000;
(ii) a list kept under paragraph 5 or 7(8) of that Schedule;
30(b) a record kept under section 6(3) or 9(6) of RPA 1985;
(c) a list kept under section 7(4) or 9(9) of that Act;
(d) a record kept under paragraph 1(3) or 4(5) of Part 1 of Schedule
2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (S.I.
1985/454);
35(e) a list kept under paragraph 2(4) or 4(8) of Part 1 of Schedule
2 to that Order;
(f) a record kept under regulation 51(4), 52(5) or 58(7) of the Recall
of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016 (S.I.
2016/295);
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Part 1—Young voters

(g) a list kept under regulation 55(2) or (3), 56(2) or (3) or 58(9) of
those Regulations;
(h) a list kept under paragraph 4(2) or (3) or 7(7) of Schedule 2 to
5
the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (S.I.
2012/1917);
“overseas electors list” means a list of persons entitled to be registered,
pursuant to an overseas elector’s declaration, in a register of
parliamentary electors maintained under section 9(1)(a) of RPA 1983;
10
“overseas elector’s declaration” means a declaration made under and in
accordance with section 1C of RPA 1985;
“registration officer” (see also subsection (5)) means—
(a) a registration officer appointed under section 8(2), (2A) or (3)
of RPA 1983,
(b) the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, or
15(c) a petition officer under section 6 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015;
“voters register” means—
(a) a register of parliamentary electors maintained under section
9(1)(a) of RPA 1983;
(b)
20
a register of local government electors in England or local
electors in Northern Ireland maintained under section 9(1)(b)
of that Act;
(c) a register of persons entitled to sign a recall petition compiled
under regulation 4 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall
Petition) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/295),
25and, in the case of a register described in paragraph (a) or (b), includes
any notice of an alteration in the register issued under section 13A(2),
13AB(2), 13B(3), (3B) or (3D), 13BA(3), (6) or (9) or 13BC(3) or (6) of
RPA 1983.
(5) In this section and sections 8 to 13, references to a registration officer include—
30(a) a deputy registration officer, and
(b) a person assisting a registration officer in carrying out the registration
officer’s functions.
8 Exceptions from prohibitions on disclosure
(1)
35
Section 7(1) does not prevent the disclosure of registration information to a
person (the “recipient”) so far as necessary for the purpose of the carrying
out by the recipient of functions in connection with—
(a) the registration of electors;
(b) the registration of persons entitled to sign a recall petition;
(c) the conduct of—
40(i) an election,
(ii) a recall petition process,
(iii) a local government referendum, or
11 Representation of the People Bill
Part 1—Young voters

(iv) a poll consequent on a parish meeting (see paragraph 18 of
Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972) (a “parish
poll”).
(2)
5
Section 7(1) does not prevent the disclosure of registration information in a
version or copy of a voters register, absent voters record or list or overseas
electors list supplied in accordance with a relevant supply enactment (as
defined in section 11).
(3) But the exception in subsection (2)—
(a)
10
applies to the disclosure of registration information only so far as
necessary for the purposes of or in connection with an election, recall
petition process, referendum or parish poll at which the person to
whom it relates will be entitled to vote, and
(b) does not apply to the disclosure of registration information from which
the person’s date of birth may be ascertained.
15(4) Section 7(1) does not prevent the disclosure of registration information to a
person so far as necessary for the purposes of a criminal investigation or
criminal proceedings relating to an offence (or an alleged offence) under an
enactment relating to—
(a) the registration of electors;
20(b) the conduct of an election, recall petition process, local government
referendum or parish poll.
(5) Section 7(1) does not prevent the disclosure of registration information to—
(a) the Security Service,
(b) the Government Communications Headquarters, or
25(c) the Secret Intelligence Service.
(6) Section 7(1) does not prevent the disclosure of registration information to a
person appointed as a proxy to vote for the person to whom the information
relates.
(7) In this section, “local government referendum” means a referendum under—
30(a) Chapter 4 of Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000 (local authority
governance: England);
(b) section 52ZG or 52ZN of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
(referendums in relation to council tax);
(c)
35
Schedule 4B or 4C to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
(referendums on neighbourhood development plans).
(8) In subsections (3) and (6) “vote” includes sign a recall petition.
9 Exceptions for combined information
(1) In this section—
40
“combined voters information” means all or part of an entry in a register
maintained under section 9(1) of RPA 1983 but only where—
Representation of the People Bill 12
Part 1—Young voters

(a) the entry relates to a person who is registered both in a register
of parliamentary electors and a register of local government
electors in Wales or Scotland, and
(b)
5
those registers are combined in accordance with section 9(5)
of that Act,
(and references in this definition to a register maintained under section
9(1) of RPA 1983 include any notice of an alteration in the register
issued under section 13A(2), 13AB(2) or 13B(3), (3B) or (3D) of RPA
1983);
10“combined absent voters information” means all or part of an entry in
a record kept under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4 to RPA 2000
but only where—
(a) the entry relates to a person in respect of whom an application
15
under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of that Schedule has been granted
both in respect of parliamentary elections and in respect of
local government elections in Wales or Scotland, and
(b) the record relates both to parliamentary elections and to local
government elections in Wales or Scotland.
(2)
20
Section 7(1) does not prevent the disclosure of all or part of an entry that is
combined voters information or combined absent voters information where
disclosure of the entry is permitted by—
(a) section 25 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1) or
regulations under section 26 of that Act, or
(b)
25
section 14 of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015
(asp 7) or regulations under section 15 of that Act.
(3) But the exception in subsection (2) may be relied on only in relation to a
disclosure which could not be made in reliance on an exception in section 8
or regulations under section 13.
(4) Where—
30(a) all or part of an entry that is combined voters information or combined
absent voters information is disclosed in reliance on an exception in
section 8 or regulations under section 13,
(b) the disclosure is permitted by a provision of, or made under, an Act
mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b), and
35(c) that permission is subject to a restriction or condition imposed by or
under that Act (for example, a restriction on further disclosure by the
recipient of the information),
that restriction or condition also applies in connection with the disclosure of
40
all or part of the entry in reliance on the exception in section 8 or regulations
under section 13.
10 Exceptions for combined information under devolved legislation
(1) The Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act 2015 (asp 7) is amended
as set out in subsections (2) to (4).
13 Representation of the People Bill
Part 1—Young voters

(2) In section 13 (protection of information about persons aged under 16)—
(a) in subsection (1)(a), after “section 14” insert “or 14A”;
(b) in subsection (2), in the words before paragraph (a), after “sections
14” insert “, 14A”.
5(3) After section 14 insert—
“14A Exceptions for combined information
(1) In this section—
“combined voters information” means an entry in a register
maintained under section 9(1) of the 1983 Act but only where—
10(a) the entry relates to a person who is registered both in
the register of local government electors in Scotland
and a register of parliamentary electors, and
(b) those registers are combined in accordance with section
9(5) of that Act,
15(and references in this definition to a register maintained under
section 9(1) of the 1983 Act include any notice of an alteration
in the register issued under section 13A(2), 13AB(2) or 13B(3),
(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act);
20
“combined absent voters information” means an entry in a record
kept under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4 to the
Representation of the People Act 2000 but only where—
(a) the entry relates to a person in respect of whom an
application under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of that Schedule
25
has been granted both in respect of local government
elections in Scotland and in respect of parliamentary
elections, and
(b) the record relates both to local government elections in
Scotland and to parliamentary elections.
(2)
30
An entry that is combined voters information or combined absent
voters information may be disclosed where disclosure of the entry is
permitted by section 8 of the Representation of the People Act 2026
or regulations under section 13 of that Act.
(3) But the exception in subsection (2) may be relied on only in relation
35
to a disclosure which could not be made under section 14 or
regulations under section 15.
(4) Where—
(a) an entry that is combined voters information or combined
absent voters information is disclosed under section 14 or
regulations under section 15,
40(b) the disclosure is permitted by section 8 of the Representation
of the People Act 2026 or regulations under section 13 of that
Act, and
Representation of the People Bill 14
Part 1—Young voters

(c) that permission is subject to a restriction or condition imposed
by or under that Act (for example, a restriction on further
disclosure by the recipient of the information),
5
that restriction or condition also applies in connection with the
disclosure of the entry under section 14 or regulations under section
15.”
(4) In section 15 (further provision for exceptions), in subsection (3)(b), after
“section 14” insert “or 14A”.
(5)
10
The Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1) is amended as set out
in subsections (6) to (9).
(6) In section 24 (protection of information about persons aged under 16)—
(a) in the English language text—
(i) in subsection (1)(a), after “section 25” insert “or 25A”;
(ii)
15
in subsection (2), in the opening words, after “sections 25”
insert “, 25A”;
(iii) in subsection (3), in the words before paragraph (a), after
“sections 25” insert “, 25A”;
(b) in the Welsh language text—
(i) in subsection (1)(a), after “adran 25” insert “neu 25A”;
20(ii) in subsection (2), in the opening words, after “adrannau 25”
insert “, 25A”;
(iii) in subsection (3), in the words before paragraph (a), after
“adrannau 25” insert “, 25A”.
(7) In the English language text, after section 25 insert—
25“25A Exceptions for combined information
(1) This section applies for the purpose of section 24(1).
(2) In this section—
“combined voters information” (“gwybodaeth gyfunol am
30
bleidleiswyr”) means an entry in a register maintained under
section 9(1) of the 1983 Act but only where—
(a) the entry relates to a person who is registered both in
the register of local government electors in Wales and
a register of parliamentary electors, and
(b)
35
those registers are combined in accordance with section
9(5) of that Act,
(and references in this definition to a register maintained under
section 9(1) of the 1983 Act include any notice of an alteration
in the register issued under section 13A(2), 13AB(2) or 13B(3),
(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act);
40“combined absent voters information” (“gwybodaeth gyfunol am
bleidleiswyr absennol”) means an entry in a record kept under
paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of
the People Act 2000 but only where—
15 Representation of the People Bill
Part 1—Young voters

(a) the entry relates to a person in respect of whom an
application under paragraph 3(4) or 7(6) of that Schedule
has been granted in respect of local government
5
elections in Wales and in respect of parliamentary
elections, and
(b) the record relates both to local government elections in
Wales and to parliamentary elections.
(3) An entry that is combined voters information or combined absent
10
voters information may be disclosed where disclosure of the entry is
permitted by section 8 of the Representation of the People Act 2026
or regulations under section 13 of that Act.
(4) But the exception in subsection (3) may be relied on only in relation
to a disclosure which could not be made under section 25 or
regulations under section 26.
15(5) Where—
(a) an entry that is combined voters information or combined
absent voters information is disclosed under section 25 or
regulations under section 26,
(b)
20
the disclosure is permitted by section 8 of the Representation
of the People Act 2026 or regulations under section 13 of that
Act, and
(c) that permission is subject to a restriction or condition imposed
by or under that Act (for example, a restriction on further
disclosure by the recipient of the information),
25that restriction or condition also applies in connection with the
disclosure of the entry under section 25 or regulations under section
26.”
(8) In the Welsh language text, after section 25 insert—
“25A Eithriadau ar gyfer gwybodaeth gyfunol
30(1) Mae’r adran hon yn gymwys at ddiben adran 24(1).
(2) Yn yr adran hon—
ystyr “gwybodaeth gyfunol am bleidleiswyr” (“combined voters
information”) yw eitem mewn cofrestr a gynhelir o dan adran
9(1) o Ddeddf 1983 ond dim ond pan—
35(a) bo’r eitem yn ymwneud â pherson sydd wedi’i gofrestru
yn y gofrestr o etholwyr llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru
a chofrestr o etholwyr seneddol, a
(b) caiff y cofrestrau hynny eu cyfuno yn unol ag adran
9(5) o’r Ddeddf honno,
40(ac mae cyfeiriadau yn y diffiniad hwn at gofrestr a gynhelir
o dan adran 9(1) o Ddeddf 1983 yn cynnwys unrhyw hysbysiad
o addasiad yn y gofrestr a ddyroddwyd o dan adran 13A(2),
13AB(2) neu 13B(3), (3B) neu (3D) o Ddeddf 1983);
Representation of the People Bill 16
Part 1—Young voters

ystyr “gwybodaeth gyfunol am bleidleiswyr absennol” (“combined
absent voters information”) yw eitem mewn cofnod a gedwir o
dan baragraff 3(4) neu 7(6) o Atodlen 4 i Ddeddf
Cynrychiolaeth y Bobl 2000 ond dim ond pan—
5(a) bo’r eitem yn ymwneud â pherson y mae cais o dan
baragraff 3(4) neu 7(6) o’r Atodlen honno wedi’i
ganiatáu ar ei gyfer mewn cysylltiad ag etholiadau
llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru ac mewn cysylltiad ag
etholiadau seneddol, a
10(b) bo’r cofnod yn ymwneud ag etholiadau llywodraeth
leol yng Nghymru ac etholiadau seneddol.
(3) Caniateir datgelu eitem sy’n wybodaeth gyfunol am bleidleiswyr neu
wybodaeth gyfunol am bleidleiswyr absennol pan ganiateir datgelu’r
15
eitem yn unol ag adran 8 o Ddeddf Cynrychiolaeth y Bobl 2026 neu
reoliadau o dan adran 13 o’r Ddeddf honno.
(4) Ond dim ond mewn perthynas â datgeliad [na ellid][na chaniateir] ei
wneud o dan adran 25 neu reoliadau o dan adran 26 y caniateir
dibynnu ar yr eithriad yn is-adran (3).
(5) Pan—
20(a) caiff eitem sy’n wybodaeth gyfunol am bleidleiswyr neu
wybodaeth gyfunol am bleidleiswyr absennol ei datgelu o dan
adran 25 neu reoliadau o dan adran 26,
(b) caniateir y datgeliad yn unol ag adran 8 o Ddeddf
25
Cynrychiolaeth y Bobl 2026 neu reoliadau o dan adran 13 o’r
Ddeddf honno, ac
(c) bo’r caniatâd hwnnw yn ddarostyngedig i gyfyngiad neu amod
a osodwyd gan neu o dan y Ddeddf honno (er enghraifft,
cyfyngiad ar ddatgeliad pellach gan dderbynnydd yr
wybodaeth),
30mae’r cyfyngiad neu’r amod hwnnw hefyd yn gymwys mewn
cysylltiad â datgelu’r eitem o dan adran 25 neu reoliadau o dan adran
26.”
(9) In section 26 (further provision for exceptions), in subsection (3)(a)—
(a) in the English language text, after “section 25” insert “or 25A”;
35(b) in the Welsh language text, after “adran 25” insert “neu 25A”.
11 Meaning of “relevant supply enactment”
For the purposes of section 8(2), “relevant supply enactment” means—
(a) the following provisions of the Representation of the People (England
and Wales) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/341)—
40(i) regulation 61, so far as relating to a supply to a person or
organisation falling within regulation 108 (supply of postal
voting and proxy lists etc to candidates);
(ii) regulation 100 (supply to Electoral Commission);
17 Representation of the People Bill
Part 1—Young voters

(iii) regulation 101 (supply to Boundary Commission etc);
(iv) regulation 102, so far as relating to a supply to a person or
organisation falling within regulation 108 (candidates);
(b)
5
the following provisions of the Representation of the People (Scotland)
Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/497)—
(i) regulation 61, so far as relating to a supply to a person or
organisation falling within regulation 107 (supply of postal
voting and proxy lists etc to candidates);
(ii) regulation 99 (supply to Electoral Commission);
10(iii) regulation 100 (supply to Boundary Commission etc);
(iv) regulation 101, so far as relating to a supply to a person or
organisation falling within regulation 107 (candidates);
(c) the following provisions of the Representation of the People (Northern
Ireland) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1741)—
15(i) regulation 66(1) (supply of postal voting and proxy lists etc to
candidates and agents);
(ii) regulation 99 (supply to Electoral Commission);
(iii) regulation 100 (supply to Boundary Commission for Northern
Ireland etc);
20(iv) regulation 101, so far as relating to a supply to a person or
organisation falling within regulation 106 (candidates);
(d) paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Police and Crime Commissioner
Elections Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1917), so far as relating to a request
by a person within paragraph 5 of that Schedule (candidates);
25(e) paragraph 3(1)(a), (b), (c) and (f) of Schedule 1 to the Recall of MPs
Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/295) (supply to
registered parties, MPs subject to a recall petition, the Electoral
Commission and accredited campaigners).
12 Prohibition on onward disclosure of information
30(1) A person to whom registration information is disclosed in reliance on an
exception in subsection (1), (4) or (6) of section 8 must not disclose the
information to any other person, except as described in the subsection
concerned.
(2)
35
A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on
summary conviction—
(a) in England and Wales, to a fine;
(b) in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the
standard scale.
13 Power to make further provision about disclosure of information
40(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make
provision for or about the disclosure of protected information.
(2) “Protected information” is information falling within section 7(1).
Representation of the People Bill 18
Part 1—Young voters

(3) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, include provision—
(a) that a supply or other disclosure of protected information by
registration officers, to such descriptions of persons as may be specified
in the regulations, does not breach the prohibition in section 7(1);
5(b) specifying in relation to any person, or description of person, to whom
protected information has been supplied or otherwise disclosed
(whether by a registration officer or another person) the purposes for
which protected information may be used;
(c)
10
imposing prohibitions or restrictions relating to the extent (if any) to
which persons to whom protected information is supplied or otherwise
disclosed (whether in accordance with the regulations or otherwise)
may—
(i) supply or otherwise disclose the information to other persons,
or
15(ii) make use of the information otherwise than for any purposes
specified in the regulations or for which the information has
been supplied or otherwise disclosed in accordance with the
regulations;
(d)
20
imposing prohibitions or restrictions corresponding to those which
may be imposed by virtue of paragraph (c) in relation to—
(i) persons to whom protected information has been supplied or
otherwise disclosed in accordance with regulations made in
pursuance of paragraph (c) or this paragraph, or
(ii) persons who otherwise have access to protected information;
25(e) imposing, in relation to persons involved in the preparation of—
(i) a register of electors maintained under section 9(1) of RPA
1983,
(ii) a register of persons entitled to sign a recall petition compiled
30
under regulation 4 of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall
Petition) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/295),
(iii) an absent voters record or list, or
(iv) an overseas electors list,
prohibitions with respect to supplying copies of, or otherwise
35
disclosing, protected information contained in anything described in
sub-paragraphs (i) to (iv).
(4) Regulations under subsection (1) may—
(a) make different provision for different purposes;
(b) amend sections 7 to 9, 11, 12 and 14 (but see subsection (5));
(c)
40
apply (with or without modifications) other enactments relating to the
supply or disclosure of—
(i) a register of electors,
(ii) the register of persons entitled to sign a recall petition,
(iii) an absent voters record or list, or
(iv) an overseas electors list,
19 Representation of the People Bill
Part 1—Young voters

or copies of, or entries in, anything described in sub-paragraphs (i) to
(iv);
(d) provide for the creation of criminal offences punishable on summary
conviction—
5(i) in England and Wales, by a fine, and
(ii) in Scotland or Northern Ireland, by a fine not exceeding level
5 on the standard scale;
(e) make incidental, supplemental, consequential, transitional, transitory
or saving provision.
10(5) Regulations under subsection (1) may amend the definitions of “registration
information”, “voters register”, “absent voters record or list” or “overseas
electors list” in section 7 in the following ways only—
(a) by adding a description of information, register, record or list,
(b) by varying a description of information, register, record or list,
15(c) by omitting a description of information, register, record or list added
by regulations made under subsection (1).
(6) Before making regulations under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must
consult—
(a) the Electoral Commission, and
20(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.
(7) A statutory instrument contain regulations under this section may not be
made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by
a resolution of each House of Parliament.
14 Interpretation of sections 7 to 13
25(1) This section defines terms and expressions used in sections 7 to 13.
(2) For the meaning of “absent voters record or list”, “overseas electors list”,
“registration officer”, “registration information” and “voters register”, see
section 7.
(3) “Enactment” includes—
30(a) an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation (as defined in
section 21 of the Interpretation Act 1978);
(b) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, a Measure
or Act of Senedd Cymru;
(c)
35
an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act
of the Scottish Parliament;
(d) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, Northern
Ireland legislation.
(4) “Local government election” means a local government election within the
meaning of section 203 or 204 of RPA 1983;
40(5) “Recall petition” has the same meaning as in the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see
section 1(2) of that Act).
Representation of the People Bill 20
Part 1—Young voters

(6) “Recall petition process” means the process for dealing with a recall petition.
Duty to raise awareness and provide assistance
15 Duty to raise awareness and provide assistance: Great Britain
(1)
5
A local authority in England, Wales or Scotland must take the steps the
authority considers necessary—
(a) to promote awareness among relevant young people of the
arrangements for registration as a parliamentary elector that apply to
them, and
(b) to help relevant young people register as parliamentary electors.
10(2) A local authority in England must take the steps the authority considers
necessary—
(a) to promote awareness among relevant young people of the
arrangements for registration as a local government elector in England
that apply to them, and
15(b) to help relevant young people register as local government electors
in England.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the following are “relevant young people”
in relation to a local authority—
(a) a person who is a child looked after by the local authority, and
20(b) a person, not falling within paragraph (a), who is a young person
eligible for continuing care from the local authority,
other than a person legally incapable of voting by reason of falling within
section 3(1) or (1ZA) or section 3A of RPA 1983.
(4)
25
For the purposes of this section, a person is a child looked after by a local
authority if the person is—
(a) a child who is looked after by the local authority within the meaning
of section 22 of the Children Act 1989,
(b) a child who is looked after by the local authority for the purposes of
30
the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4) (see
section 74 of that Act),
(c) a child who is looked after by the local authority for the purposes of
Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (see section
17(6) of that Act), or
(d)
35
a child detained in secure accommodation by virtue of section 51(1)(a)
or 216(7) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in relation to
whom the local authority has duties by virtue of section 17A of the
Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (detained children treated as looked after
children).
(5)
40
For the purposes of this section, a person is a young person eligible for
continuing care from a local authority if—
21 Representation of the People Bill
Part 1—Young voters

(a) the local authority has a duty described in section 23B or 23C of the
Children Act 1989 in relation to the person (continuing functions
regarding former looked after children),
(b)
5
the local authority has the duty described in section 106 of the Social
Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4) in relation to the
person (duty to arrange for personal adviser),
(c) the local authority has a duty to provide the person with continuing
care under section 26A of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (provision
of continuing care to former looked after children), or
10(d) the local authority has a duty to provide advice, guidance or assistance
to the person under section 29(1) or (5A) of the Children (Scotland)
Act 1995 (provision of advice, guidance and assistance to former looked
after children).
(6) In this section, “local authority” means—
15(a) in relation to England, a county council, a district council for an area
for which there is no county council, a London borough council, the
Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local
authority and the Council of the Isles of Scilly;
(b) in relation to Wales, a county council or county borough council;
20(c) in relation to Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the
Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.
16 Duty to raise awareness and provide assistance: Northern Ireland
(1) A Health and Social Care trust must take the steps the trust considers
necessary—
25(a) to promote awareness among relevant young people of the
arrangements for registration as a parliamentary or local elector in
Northern Ireland that apply to them, and
(b) to help relevant young people register as parliamentary or local electors
in Northern Ireland.
30(2) For the purposes of this section, the following are “relevant young people”
in relation to a Health and Social Care trust—
(a) a person who is a child looked after by the trust for the purposes of
the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/755 (N.I. 2))
(see Article 25 of that Order), and
35(b) a person who is a young person eligible for continuing care from the
trust,
other than a person legally incapable of voting by reason of falling within
section 3(1) or (1ZA) or section 3A of RPA 1983.
(3)
40
For the purposes of this section, a person is a young person eligible for
continuing care from a Health and Social Care trust if the trust—
(a) has a function set out in Article 34C, or a duty provided for in Article
34D, of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/755 (N.I.
2)) in respect of the person, or
(b) may give assistance to the person under Article 35B of that Order.
Representation of the People Bill 22
Part 1—Young voters

(4) In this section, “a Health and Social Care trust” means a Health and Social
Care trust established under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern
Ireland) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/194 (N.I. 1)).
PART 2
5REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
Registration, and alteration of registers, without an application
17 Registration without an application
(1) In RPA 1983, before section 13 insert—
“12A Duty to register certain electors without an application
10(1) A registration officer must register a person in a relevant register
maintained by the officer if—
(a) the officer is aware of the person’s name and address,
(b) the person is not registered in the register,
(c)
15
the person appears to the officer to be of voting age and
entitled to be registered in the register,
(d) the officer has given the person a notice in accordance with
section 12B(1) in relation to the register, and
(e) either (or both) of the following applies—
(i)
20
the response period specified in the notice (in
accordance with section 12B(3)(d)) has ended;
(ii) during that period, the person confirmed to the officer
that the person wishes to be registered in the register
under this section.
(2)
25
In this section, “relevant register” means a register of electors other
than—
(a) a register of local government electors for an area in Wales;
(b) a register of local government electors for an area in Scotland.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if, during the response period specified
in the notice referred to in subsection (1)(d)—
30(a) the person notified the officer that the person does not wish
to be registered in the register under this section,
(b) the officer received an application for registration in the register
made by someone who appears to the officer to be the person,
(c)
35
the officer is treated as having received an application for
registration in the register from the person by virtue of section
10A(2) (completed Northern Ireland canvass form treated as
application), or
(d) the person notified the officer that the person—
(i)
40
intends to make an application for registration in the
register,
23 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(ii) wishes to be registered in a register of electors with an
anonymous entry (see section 9B), or
(iii) wishes to be registered in a register of electors in
5
pursuance of a declaration of local connection, a service
declaration or an overseas elector’s declaration.
(4) In subsection (3)—
(a) the reference in paragraph (a) to notification that a person does
not wish to be registered under this section includes notification
which indicates that without referring to this section;
10(b) the references in paragraph (d)(ii) and (iii) to a register of
electors include a register of electors prepared for the purposes
of local elections (as defined in section 130(1) of the Electoral
Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)).
12B Notice of duty to register under section 12A
15(1) A registration officer must give a notice to a person, in relation to a
relevant register maintained by the officer, if—
(a) the officer is aware of the person’s name and address,
(b) the person is not registered in the register, and
(c)
20
the person appears to the officer to be of voting age and
entitled to be registered in the register.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where—
(a) the record kept under section 12D shows that the person does
not wish to be registered in the register under section 12A,
(b)
25
the officer has received an application for registration in the
register made by someone who appears to the officer to be the
person and the application has not yet been determined,
(c) the officer is treated as having received an application for
registration in the register from the person by virtue of section
30
10A(2) (completed Northern Ireland canvass form treated as
application) and the application has not yet been determined,
or
(d) the officer has reason to believe that the person—
(i) intends to make an application for registration in the
register,
35(ii) wishes to be registered in a register of electors with an
anonymous entry (see section 9B), or
(iii) wishes to be registered in a register of electors in
pursuance of a declaration of local connection, a service
declaration or an overseas elector’s declaration.
40(3) The notice under subsection (1) must—
(a) be given in writing,
Representation of the People Bill 24
Part 2—Registration of voters

(b) state that the registration officer has a duty to register people
who appear to the officer to be of voting age and entitled to
be registered in the register,
(c)
5
provide information about the exceptions to that duty (see
section 12A(3)),
(d) specify a period (beginning with the day on which the notice
is given) for the person to respond to the notice (“the response
period”),
(e)
10
explain the effect if, during the response period, the person
confirms that they wish to be registered under section 12A (see
section 12A(1)(e)), and
(f) provide information about making an application for
registration in a relevant register, including information about
making an application—
15(i) with an application for an anonymous entry under
section 9B(1)(a), or
(ii) in pursuance of a declaration of local connection, a
service declaration or an overseas elector’s declaration.
(4)
20
The notice may relate to more than one register maintained by the
registration officer.
(5) Regulations may make provision about notices under subsection (1).
(6) Regulations under subsection (5) may, among other things, make
provision about—
(a) the form of the notice;
25(b) how the notice is given;
(c) the length of the response period;
(d) additional information that must be included in the notice.
(7) In this section, “relevant register” has the same meaning as in section
12A.
30(8) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c), whether a person is entitled to
be registered in a register at a given time is to be determined as if,
for the purposes of section 4, that time were the relevant date.
(9) The references in subsection (2)(d)(ii) and (iii) to a register of electors
35
include a register of electors prepared for the purposes of local elections
(as defined in section 130(1) of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland)
1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)).
12C Notice of person not being registered under section 12A
(1) A registration officer must give a notice to a person where the officer—
(a)
40
has given the person a notice in accordance with section 12B(1)
in relation to a relevant register maintained by the officer, but
25 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(b) is not required to register the person in the register under
section 12A because (and only because) the condition in section
12A(1)(c) is not satisfied.
(2)
5
The officer must give the notice under subsection (1) as soon as
reasonably practicable after the response period specified in the notice
referred to in subsection (1)(a) ends.
(3) The notice under subsection (1) must be given in writing.
(4) Regulations may make provision about notices under subsection (1).
(5) The regulations may, among other things, make provision about—
10(a) the form of the notice;
(b) how the notice is given;
(c) information that must be included in the notice.
(6) In this section, “relevant register” has the same meaning as in section
12A.
1512D Record of notices under section 12B(1) etc
(1) A registration officer must keep a record of notices given under section
12B(1) in respect of registration in a register for the time being
maintained by the officer.
(2)
20
The record required under subsection (1) must contain the following
information in relation to each notice—
(a) the name of the person to whom the notice was sent,
(b) the address to which the notice was sent,
(c) the date on which the response period specified in the notice
ended,
25(d) the register to which the notice related,
(e) whether the person was registered in the register under section
12A,
(f) if the person was not registered, the reason for that, and
(g)
30
if a notice was given to the person under section 12C, the fact
that it was given and the address to which it was sent.
(3) The record required under subsection (1) may contain other information
that the registration officer considers relevant for the purposes of the
officer’s duties under sections 12A, 12B and 12C.
(4)
35
Subsection (1) does not require the registration officer to keep a record
in relation to a notice under section 12B(1) after the end of the period
of 5 years beginning with the day after the last day of the response
period specified in the notice.
(5) A registration officer must also keep a record of notifications received
from a person which—
Representation of the People Bill 26
Part 2—Registration of voters

(a) are received by the officer, or a predecessor of the officer,
otherwise than in response to a notice under section 12B(1),
(b) include the person’s name and address, and
(c)
5
indicate that the person does not wish to be registered under
section 12A in a register for the time being maintained by the
officer.
(6) The record required under subsection (5) must contain the following
information in relation to each notification—
(a) the name of the person who gave the notification,
10(b) that person’s address,
(c) the date on which the notification was received, and
(d) the register to which the notification related.
(7) The record required under subsection (5) may contain other information
15
that the registration officer considers relevant for the purposes of the
officer’s duties under sections 12A and 12B.
(8) Subsection (5) does not require the registration officer to keep a record
in relation to a notification after the end of the period of 5 years
beginning with the day on which the notification was received.
(9)
20
The reference in subsection (5) to a notification indicating that a person
does not wish to be registered under section 12A includes a notification
which indicates that without referring to section 12A.
(10) A registration officer complies with subsections (1) and (5) if the officer
takes all reasonable steps to keep the required records.”
(2)
25
In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
(provisions of RPA 1983 applied), in the entry beginning “Sections 9”, after
“10B,” insert “12A, 12B, 12C, 12D,”.
18 Alteration of registers without an application
(1) In RPA 1983, after section 12D (inserted by section 17 of this Act) insert—
“12E Duty to alter entries in certain registers without an application
30(1) A registration officer must alter a person’s entry in a relevant register
maintained by the officer if—
(a) the officer is aware that the person’s name or address (or both)
is no longer the one in respect of which the person is registered,
(b)
35
the person appears to the officer to be of voting age and
entitled to be registered in the register in respect of the new
name or the new address (as the case may be),
(c) the officer has given the person a notice in accordance with
section 12F(1) in relation to the register, and
(d) either (or both) of the following applies—
40(i) the response period specified in the notice (in
accordance with section 12F(3)(d)) has ended;
27 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(ii) during that period, the person confirmed to the officer
that the person wishes the alteration specified in the
notice to be made under this section.
(2)
5
In this section, “relevant register” means a register of electors other
than—
(a) a register of local government electors for an area in Wales;
(b) a register of local government electors for an area in Scotland.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if, during the response period specified
in the notice referred to in subsection (1)(c)—
10(a) the person notified the officer that the person does not wish
the alteration specified in the notice to be made under this
section,
(b) the person notified the officer that the person intends to make
15
an application for the alteration to be made (see sections 10ZD
and 10A(4)),
(c) the officer received an application requesting the alteration
made by someone who appears to the officer to be the person,
(d) the person notified the officer that the person wishes to make
an application for registration in a register of electors—
20(i) with an application for an anonymous entry under
section 9B(1)(a), or
(ii) in pursuance of a declaration of local connection, a
service declaration or an overseas elector’s declaration,
or
25(e) the officer received an application for registration described in
paragraph (d) made by someone who appears to the officer to
be the person.
(4) In subsection (3)—
(a)
30
the reference in paragraph (a) to notification that a person does
not wish an alteration to be made under this section includes
notification which indicates that without referring to this
section;
(b) the reference in paragraph (d) to a register of electors includes
35
a register of electors prepared for the purposes of local elections
(as defined in section 130(1) of the Electoral Law Act (Northern
Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)).
12F Notice of duty to alter entries under section 12E
(1) A registration officer must give a notice to a person, in relation to a
relevant register maintained by the officer, if—
40(a) the officer is aware that the person’s name or address (or both)
is no longer the one in respect of which the person is registered,
and
(b) the person appears to the officer to be—
Representation of the People Bill 28
Part 2—Registration of voters

(i) of voting age, and
(ii) entitled to be registered in the register in respect of the
new name or the new address (or both).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where—
5(a) the record kept under section 12H shows that the person does
not wish an alteration reflecting the new name or address to
be made under section 12E,
(b) the officer has reason to believe that the person intends to make
10
an application requesting the alteration (see sections 10ZD and
10A(4)),
(c) the officer has received an application described in paragraph
(b) from someone who appears to the officer to be the person
and the application has not yet been determined,
(d) the person has—
15(i) an anonymous entry in the register, or
(ii) an entry in the register made in pursuance of a
declaration of local connection, a service declaration or
an overseas elector’s declaration,
(e)
20
the officer has reason to believe that the person intends to make
an application for registration in a register of electors—
(i) with an application for an anonymous entry under
section 9B(1)(a), or
(ii) in pursuance of a declaration of local connection, a
25
service declaration or an overseas elector’s declaration,
or
(f) the officer has received an application for registration described
in paragraph (e) from someone who appears to the officer to
be the person and the application has not yet been determined.
(3) The notice under subsection (1) must—
30(a) be given in writing,
(b) state that the registration officer has a duty to alter a person’s
name or address in the register where the officer is aware that
it has changed and the person appears to the officer to be—
(i) of voting age, and
35(ii) entitled to be registered in the register in respect of the
new name or the new address (or both),
(c) provide information about the exceptions to that duty (see
section 12E(3)),
(d)
40
specify a period (beginning with the day on which the notice
is given) for the person to respond to the notice (“the response
period”),
(e) explain the effect if, during the response period, the person
confirms that they wish the alteration specified in the notice
to be made under section 12E (see section 12E(1)(d)),
29 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(f) provide information about making an application for alteration
under section 10ZD or 10A(4) (as appropriate), and
(g) provide information about making an application for
registration in a relevant register—
5(i) with an application for an anonymous entry under
section 9B(1)(a), or
(ii) in pursuance of a declaration of local connection, a
service declaration or an overseas elector’s declaration.
(4)
10
The notice may relate to more than one register maintained by the
registration officer.
(5) Regulations may make provision about notices under subsection (1).
(6) Regulations under subsection (5) may, among other things, make
provision about—
(a) the form of the notice;
15(b) how the notice is given;
(c) the length of the response period;
(d) additional information that must be included in the notice.
(7) In this section, “relevant register” has the same meaning as in section
12E.
20(8) The reference in subsection (2)(e) to a register of electors includes a
register of electors prepared for the purposes of local elections (as
defined in section 130(1) of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland)
1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)).
12G Notice of entry in register not being altered under section 12E
25(1) A registration officer must give a notice to a person where the officer—
(a) has given the person a notice in accordance with section 12F(1)
in relation to a relevant register maintained by the officer, but
(b) is not required to alter the person’s entry in the register under
30
section 12E because (and only because) the condition in section
12E(1)(b) is not satisfied.
(2) The officer must give the notice under subsection (1) as soon as
reasonably practicable after the response period specified in the notice
referred to in subsection (1)(a) ends.
(3) The notice under subsection (1) must be given in writing.
35(4) Regulations may make provision about notices under subsection (1).
(5) The regulations may, among other things, make provision about—
(a) the form of the notice;
(b) how the notice is given;
(c) information that must be included in the notice.
Representation of the People Bill 30
Part 2—Registration of voters

(6) In this section, “relevant register” has the same meaning as in section
12E.
12H Record of notices under section 12F(1) etc
(1)
5
A registration officer must keep a record of notices given under section
12F(1) in respect of the alteration of an entry in a register for the time
being maintained by the officer.
(2) The record required under subsection (1) must contain the following
information in relation to each notice—
(a) the name of the person to whom the notice was sent,
10(b) the address to which the notice was sent,
(c) the date on which the response period specified in the notice
ended,
(d) the register to which the notice related,
(e)
15
whether the notice related to alteration of the person’s name
or address (or both),
(f) whether the person’s entry in the register was altered under
section 12E,
(g) if the alteration was not made, the reason for that, and
(h)
20
if a notice was given to the person under section 12G, the fact
that it was given and the address to which it was sent.
(3) The record required under subsection (1) may contain other information
that the registration officer considers relevant for the purposes of the
officer’s duties under sections 12E, 12F and 12G.
(4)
25
Subsection (1) does not require the registration officer to keep a record
in relation to a notice under section 12F(1) after the end of the period
of 5 years beginning with the day after the last day of the response
period specified in the notice.
(5) A registration officer must also keep a record of notifications from a
person which—
30(a) are received by the officer, or a predecessor of the officer,
otherwise than in response to a notice under section 12F(1),
(b) include the person’s name and address, and
(c) indicate that the person does not wish a particular alteration
35
or type of alteration, or alterations generally, to the person’s
entry in a register for the time being maintained by the officer
to be made under section 12E.
(6) The record kept under subsection (5) must contain the following
information in relation to each notification—
(a) the name of the person who gave the notification,
40(b) the person’s address,
(c) the date on which the notification was received,
(d) the register to which the notification related, and
31 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(e) whether the notification related to alteration of the person’s
name or address (or both).
(7) The record kept under subsection (5) may contain other information
5
that the registration officer considers relevant for the purposes of the
officer’s duties under sections 12E and 12F.
(8) Subsection (5) does not require the registration officer to keep a record
in relation to a notification after the end of the period of 5 years
beginning with the day on which the notification was received.
(9)
10
The reference in subsection (5) to a notification indicating that a person
does not wish an alteration or alterations to be made under section
12E includes a notification which indicates that without referring to
section 12E.
(10) A registration officer complies with subsections (1) and (5) if the officer
takes all reasonable steps to keep the required records.”
15(2) In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
(provisions of RPA 1983 applied), in the entry beginning “Sections 9”, before
“13,” insert “12E, 12F, 12G, 12H,”.
19 Registration etc without an application: further provision
Schedule 2 makes further provision in connection with sections 17 and 18.
20Piloting changes to the voter registration process
20 Power to pilot changes to the voter registration process
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make voter registration provision
(see section 21) in connection with—
(a)
25
a register of parliamentary electors maintained under section 9 of RPA
1983;
(b) a register of local government electors or local electors maintained
under that section for an area in England or Northern Ireland.
(2) Regulations under this section (“pilot regulations”) must be made so as to
have effect only for a specified period.
30(3) Pilot regulations may extend a period specified under subsection (2) on one
or more occasions.
(4) Pilot regulations must specify—
(a) the objective or objectives of the provisions contained in the
regulations, and
35(b) the date before which the Electoral Commission must report on the
regulations and the objective or objectives (see section 24) (“the report
date”).
Representation of the People Bill 32
Part 2—Registration of voters

(5) Where the period for which pilot regulations have effect is extended under
subsection (3), pilot regulations may change the report date for the regulations
to a later date.
21 Voter registration provision
5(1) This section is about what is meant in section 20 by “voter registration
provision” in connection with a register.
(2) It means provision setting out or modifying a process for—
(a) registering individuals in the register, or
(b) altering or removing entries in the register.
10(3) It includes provision relating to—
(a) the identification of individuals who are not registered in the register
but who are entitled to be registered,
(b) the identification of individuals who are registered in the register but
who are not entitled to be registered,
15(c) the identification of changes relevant to entries in the register, and
(d) the maintenance of registers.
(4) It includes provision relating to registration in the register, or the alteration
of entries in the register, with or without the individual concerned making
an application or taking other steps.
20(5) It includes provision relating to—
(a) the form of the register;
(b) the procedure to be followed in the preparation of the register;
(c) the publication of the register.
(6) It includes provision—
25(a) which is made for the purpose of testing how the changes made by
sections 17 to 19 and Schedule 2 work in practice, and
(b) the effect of which corresponds to the effect of those changes or to
the effect of provision that could be made by regulations by virtue of
those sections or that Schedule.
30(7) It includes provision the effect of which corresponds to the effect of provision
that could be made by regulations by virtue of paragraph 1 or 1A of Schedule
2 to RPA 1983 as amended by section 36 of this Act (information to assist
registration officers).
22 Further powers and restrictions
35(1) Pilot regulations may make provision which applies only—
(a) in one or more specified areas,
(b) in relation to a specified register or a register of a specified description,
or
(c) in relation to individuals of a specified description,
33 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

as well as provision whose application is not limited in those ways.
(2) Pilot regulations may not make provision applying to an area without the
consent of the registration officer for the area or (as appropriate) each person
who is the registration officer for a part of the area, except where—
5(a) the application of the pilot regulations is not limited to a particular
area or areas, or
(b) the Secretary of State—
(i) considers that it is appropriate to make the provision without
10
the consent of the registration officer (or, as appropriate, each
registration officer), and
(ii) has made a written statement to that effect.
(3) Pilot regulations may—
(a) make provision for the imposition of a financial penalty;
(b) disapply provision about financial penalties in other enactments;
15(c) alter such provision, but not by increasing the amount of a penalty.
(4) Pilot regulations may create an offence that is punishable—
(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, by imprisonment for
a term not exceeding the maximum term for summary offences or a
fine (or both);
20(b) on summary conviction in Scotland, by imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard
scale (or both);
(c) on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, by imprisonment for a
25
term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the
standard scale (or both).
(5) Pilot regulations may disapply or alter provision about offences in other
enactments but may not—
(a) increase the penalty for a summary offence so that it exceeds the
penalty described in subsection (4), or
30(b) increase the penalty for an offence triable either way or an indictable
offence.
(6) Pilot regulations made in reliance on subsection (3), (4) or (5) may not provide
that an individual who fails to take steps to register, or to alter their entry in
a register, is subject to a financial penalty or commits an offence.
35(7) Pilot regulations may—
(a) disapply an enactment or provide for an enactment to apply with
modifications;
(b) make different provision for different purposes or different areas;
(c)
40
make consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving
provision;
(d) be replaced by further pilot regulations, which may make provision
that was made, or that has the same effect as provision made, in the
pilot regulations being replaced or other pilot regulations.
Representation of the People Bill 34
Part 2—Registration of voters

(8) In this section—
“enactment” means an enactment whenever passed or made and
includes—
(a)
5
an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation (as defined
in section 21 of the Interpretation Act 1978);
(b) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under,
Northern Ireland legislation;
“the maximum term for summary offences” means—
(a)
10
if the offence is committed before the time when section 281(5)
of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force, six months;
(b) if the offence is committed after that time, 51 weeks.
23 Parliamentary procedure
(1) Pilot regulations are to be made by statutory instrument.
(2)
15
A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provision)
pilot regulations may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been
laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament, subject
to subsection (3).
(3) A statutory instrument containing pilot regulations which make only—
(a)
20
provision under section 20(3) extending the specified period for not
more than 12 months, or
(b) provision under section 20(5) (changing the date for the Electoral
Commission to report),
(or both) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House
of Parliament.
25(4) Where the Secretary of State is required to make a statement under section
22(2)(b) in connection with pilot regulations, the Secretary of State must lay
the statement before Parliament—
(a) where subsection (2) applies, when the draft statutory instrument is
laid before Parliament, and
30(b) where subsection (3) applies, without delay after the regulations are
made.
24 Electoral Commission report
(1) The Electoral Commission must, before the report date specified in pilot
regulations—
35(a) prepare a report on the regulations,
(b) give a copy of the report to the Secretary of State, and
(c) give a copy of the report to each person who is the registration officer
for, or for a part of, an area to which the regulations apply.
(2) The report must contain—
40(a) a description of the provisions of the regulations,
35 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(b) an assessment of the extent to which the objective or (if more than
one) each objective of the regulations was met in the area or areas to
which the regulations apply immediately before the period specified
under section 20(2),
5(c) an assessment of the extent to which that objective or (if more than
one) each of those objectives was met in the area or areas to which
the regulations apply during the period specified under section 20(2)
(including, where relevant, that period as extended under section
20(3)), and
10(d) an assessment of whether the changes made by the regulations are a
cost-effective means of achieving that objective or (if more than one)
each of those objectives.
(3) The Secretary of State must publish the report.
(4)
15
A registration officer must comply with a request made by the Electoral
Commission for information that it reasonably requires in connection with
the preparation of a report under this section.
25 Interpretation of sections 20 to 24
In sections 20 to 24—
“pilot regulations” has the meaning given in section 20(2);
20“registration officer” has the same meaning as in RPA 1983 (see section
8 of that Act);
“report date” has the meaning given in section 20(4)(b);
“specified” means specified in pilot regulations.
Northern Ireland canvass
2526 Power to amend the canvass in Northern Ireland
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision in connection with
the conduct of a canvass in Northern Ireland.
(2) When making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must have
regard to the Northern Ireland registration objectives.
30(3) The power under this section—
(a) includes power to modify section 10 of RPA 1983 or any other
enactment relating to a canvass under that section, but
(b) does not include power to abolish the Chief Electoral Officer for
Northern Ireland’s duty to conduct a canvass.
35(4) Regulations under this section may make provision about, among other
things—
(a) how a canvass must be conducted;
(b) when a canvass must take place;
Representation of the People Bill 36
Part 2—Registration of voters

(c) the alteration, following a canvass, of registers maintained by the Chief
Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland.
(5) Regulations under this section may confer power on the Secretary of State to
make subordinate legislation and, if they do so, must provide—
5(a) that the subordinate legislation is to be made by statutory instrument,
and
(b) that the instrument may not be made unless a draft of it has been laid
before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.
(6) Regulations under this section may—
10(a) make consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving
provision;
(b) modify an enactment (whenever passed or made);
(c) make provision applying generally or only for particular purposes or
areas;
15(d) make different provision for different purposes or areas.
(7) Before making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must
consult the Electoral Commission.
(8) Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.
(9)
20
A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provision)
regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the
instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House
of Parliament.
(10) In this section and sections 27 to 29—
“enactment” includes—
25(a) an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation;
(b) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under,
Northern Ireland legislation;
“modify” includes amend, repeal or revoke;
30
“the Northern Ireland registration objectives” means the relevant
registration objectives set out in section 10ZB of RPA 1983;
“subordinate legislation” has the same meaning as in the Interpretation
Act 1978 (see section 21 of that Act).
27 Electoral Commission report on proposals under section 26
(1)
35
Where the Secretary of State consults the Electoral Commission under section
26(7) about a proposal to make regulations under that section, the Commission
must prepare a report assessing—
(a) the extent to which the Northern Ireland registration objectives are
met,
(b)
40
the extent to which the regulations would assist the Chief Electoral
Officer for Northern Ireland to meet those objectives, and
37 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(c) the merits of alternative ways of assisting the Chief Electoral Officer
to meet those objectives.
(2) Where a proposal is to make provision only for a particular purpose or area,
5
the Electoral Commission’s report under subsection (1) is only required to
relate to that purpose or area.
(3) The Electoral Commission must give a copy of the report to the Secretary of
State before the date specified by the Secretary of State.
(4) The date specified under subsection (3) must be after the end of the period
10
of 3 months beginning with the day on which the Secretary of State consults
the Commission.
(5) When a draft of a statutory instrument containing regulations under section
26 is laid before Parliament, it must be accompanied by a report from the
Electoral Commission under this section.
28 Power to pilot proposals under section 26
15(1) Regulations under section 26 may be made so as to have effect only for a
period specified in the regulations (and regulations which do so are referred
to in this section and section 29 as “pilot regulations”).
(2) The provision that may be made in pilot regulations by virtue of section
20
26(6)(a) includes provision in connection with the expiry of the specified
period.
(3) Pilot regulations may be replaced by further pilot regulations, which may
make provision that was made, or that has the same effect as provision made,
in the pilot regulations being replaced or other pilot regulations.
(4)
25
Pilot regulations must specify the date before which the Electoral Commission
must report on the regulations under section 29.
(5) Sections 26(7) and 27 (consultation with, and report by, the Electoral
Commission on proposed regulations) do not apply in relation to pilot
regulations.
29 Electoral Commission report on pilot regulations
30(1) If pilot regulations are made, the Electoral Commission must—
(a) prepare a report on the pilot regulations, and
(b) before the date specified under section 28(4), give a copy of the report
to the Secretary of State and to the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern
Ireland.
35(2) The Electoral Commission’s report must contain—
(a) a description of the pilot regulations,
(b) an assessment of the extent to which the Northern Ireland registration
objectives were met immediately before the beginning of the period
for which the pilot regulations have effect, and
Representation of the People Bill 38
Part 2—Registration of voters

(c) an assessment of the extent to which those objectives were met during
that period.
(3) Where pilot regulations make provision only for a particular purpose or area,
5
the Electoral Commission’s assessments under subsection (2)(b) and (c) are
only required to relate to that purpose or area.
(4) The Secretary of State must publish the Electoral Commission’s report.
Other provision about registration
30 Local connection and service declarations ceasing to have effect
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as follows.
10(2) In section 7C (effect of declaration of local connection)—
(a) in subsection (2), after paragraph (ab) insert—
“(aba) the registration officer determines in accordance with
regulations made by the appropriate national authority
that—
15(i) the person is no longer a person who could
make a declaration under section 7B, or
(ii) the person no longer falls into the category of
person to whom section 7B applies which is
specified in the declaration.”;
20(b) after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A) A registration officer must give a notice to a person where—
(a) the person’s entitlement to remain registered in a
register maintained by the officer terminates by virtue
of subsection (2)(c), and
25(b) the officer removes the person’s entry from the register.
(3B) A notice under subsection (3A) must—
(a) be in writing,
(b) be given as soon as reasonably practicable after the
officer removes the person’s entry from the register,
30(c) state that the registration officer has done so,
(d) state the reason for doing that, and
(e) provide information about making an application for
registration in the register in pursuance of a further
declaration of local connection.”;
35(c) after subsection (4) insert—
“(5) “The appropriate national authority” means—
(a) in the case of a declaration of local connection having
effect for the purposes of a person’s registration in a
40
register of local government electors in Wales, the Welsh
Ministers;
39 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(b) in the case of a declaration of local connection having
effect for the purposes of a person’s registration in a
register of local government electors in Scotland, the
Scottish Ministers;
5(c) in the case of a declaration of local connection having
effect for any other purpose, the Secretary of State.
(6) Regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under this section
are subject to the Senedd approval procedure (see section 37C
of the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 (anaw 4)).
10(7) Regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under this section
are subject to the affirmative procedure (see section 29 of the
Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp
10)).”
(3) In section 15 (service declaration), after subsection (3) insert—
15“(3ZA) A registration officer must give a notice to a person where—
(a) the person’s entitlement to remain registered in a register
maintained by the officer terminates by virtue of subsection
(2)(c), and
(b) the officer removes the person’s entry from the register.
20(3ZB) A notice under subsection (3ZA) must—
(a) be in writing,
(b) be given as soon as reasonably practicable after the officer
removes the person’s entry from the register,
(c) state that the registration officer has done so,
25(d) state the reason for doing that, and
(e) provide information about making an application for
registration in the register in pursuance of a further service
declaration.”
(4) In section 201 (regulations)—
30(a) in subsection (1) omit from “and except” to the end;
(b) after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Regulations made by the Secretary of State or the Welsh
Ministers under this Act are to be made by statutory
35
instrument, except in the case of regulations under section
29(8).
(1B) For regulations made by the Scottish Ministers, see section 27
of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act
2010 (asp 10) (Scottish statutory instruments).”;
(c)
40
in subsection (3), for the words from “Secretary” to “them),” substitute
“person making the regulations”.
Representation of the People Bill 40
Part 2—Registration of voters

31 Seniority of electoral registration officers
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as follows.
(2) Section 8 (registration officers) is amended as set out in subsections (3) to (6).
(3) In subsection (2) (registration officers appointed by councils in England)—
5(a) in paragraph (a), for “an officer” substitute “a senior officer”;
(b) in paragraph (b), for “an officer” substitute “a senior officer”.
(4) After subsection (2) insert—
“(2ZA) In subsection (2), “senior officer” means—
(a)
10
the council’s head of paid service designated under section 4
of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;
(b) the council’s monitoring officer designated under section 5 of
that Act;
(c) a statutory chief officer of the council (as defined in section
2(6) of that Act).”
15(5) In subsection (2A) (registration officers appointed by councils in Wales), for
“an officer” substitute “a senior officer”.
(6) After subsection (2A) insert—
“(2B) In subsection (2A), “senior officer” means—
(a)
20
the council’s chief executive appointed under section 54 of the
Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1);
(b) the council’s head of democratic services designated under
section 8 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm
4);
(c)
25
the council’s monitoring officer designated under section 5 of
the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;
(d) a statutory chief officer of the council (as defined in section
2(6) of that Act).”
(7) In section 203 (local government provisions as to England and Wales), in
30
subsection (4) (Isles of Scilly), in paragraph (a), for “an officer of the council”
substitute “a senior officer of the council (as defined in section 8(2ZA))”.
32 Anonymous registration
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 9 (registers of electors), after subsection (4) (electoral numbers)
insert—
35“(4A) The duty under subsection (4) does not apply in connection with a
person’s electoral number for the purposes of a register where—
(a) the person has an anonymous entry in the register, and
(b) the register is maintained by a registration officer in Great
Britain.”
41 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(3) Section 9C (removal of anonymous entry) is amended as set out in subsections
(4) and (5).
(4) In subsection (1) (removal of anonymous entries from registers in Great
Britain)—
5(a) in paragraph (a), for the words from “12 months” to “effect” substitute
“three years beginning with the date specified in subsection (1ZA)”;
(b) in paragraph (b), for “12 month” substitute “three year”.
(5) After subsection (1) insert—
“(1ZA) For the purposes of subsection (1), the specified date is—
10(a) where the person’s anonymous entry is the result of an
application under section 9B(1)(a), the date when the person’s
entry in the register first takes effect; or
(b) where the person’s anonymous entry is the result of an
15
application under section 9B(1)(b), the date when the
registration officer determines under section 9B(2) that the
safety test is satisfied.”
33 Pre-election applications for registration
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4).
(2) In section 13B (alteration of registers in Great Britain: pending elections)—
20(a) after subsection (3ZB) insert—
“(3ZC) Subsection (3) does not require a registration officer to issue a
notice under that subsection where —
(a) section 13A applies to the registration officer (by virtue
25
of section 13A(1)) in connection with a requirement
falling within section 13A(1)(za) or (zb), and
(b) the application referred to in section 10ZC(1)(a) or
10ZD(1)(a) was received by the officer after 5 p.m. on
the 12th day before the date of the poll for the election.”;
(b) in subsection (6)—
30(i) omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (a);
(ii) after paragraph (b) insert “; and
(c) in subsection (1)(b), the words “of not more than
7 days” were omitted.”
(3)
35
In section 13BA (alteration of registers in Northern Ireland: pending elections),
after subsection (6B) insert—
“(6C) Subsection (6) does not require the Chief Electoral Officer to issue a
notice under that subsection where—
(a) section 13A applies to the registration officer (by virtue of
40
section 13A(1)) in connection with a determination falling
within section 13A(1)(a), and
Representation of the People Bill 42
Part 2—Registration of voters

(b) the application for registration in Northern Ireland was received
by the officer after 5 p.m. on the 12th day before the date of
the poll for the election.”
(4) After section 13BA insert—
5“13BAA Power to change applications deadline: pending elections
(1) The appropriate national authority may by regulations—
(a) amend section 13B so as to change the time and day for the
time being specified in subsection (3ZC)(b) of that section;
(b)
10
amend section 13BA so as to change the time and day for the
time being specified in subsection (6C)(b) of that section.
(2) Before making regulations under this section, the appropriate national
authority must consult the Electoral Commission.
(3) “The appropriate national authority” means—
(a)
15
in the case of elections to Senedd Cymru and local government
elections in Wales, the Welsh Ministers;
(b) in the case of elections to the Scottish Parliament and local
government elections in Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
(c) in the case of other elections, the Secretary of State.
(4)
20
Regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under this section are
subject to the affirmative procedure (see section 29 of the Interpretation
and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 10)).
(5) Regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under this section are subject
to the Senedd approval procedure (see section 37C of the Legislation
(Wales) Act 2019 (anaw 4)).”
25(5) In Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
(application and modification of RPA 1983)—
(a) in Part 1 (provisions applied), in the entry beginning “Sections 9,”
after “13BA” insert “, 13BAA”;
(b) in Part 2 (modifications), after paragraph 8 insert—
30“8ZA In section 13BAA(1)(b), after “that section” insert “and amend
Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern
Ireland) Act 1989 so as to modify that time and day”.”
34 Pre-election alteration of Northern Ireland registers: supporting evidence
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4).
35(2) In section 13A (alteration of registers), in subsection (4), for “13BA(3), (6)”
substitute “13BA(6)”.
(3) In section 13BA (alteration of registers in Northern Ireland: pending
elections)—
(a) in subsection (1)—
43 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(i) for “final nomination day” substitute “fifth day before the date
of the poll”;
(ii) omit from “unless” to the end;
(b)
5
omit subsections (2) to (3B) (alteration only if additional supporting
material provided);
(c) in subsection (5)(a), for “decision or determination falling within section
13A(1)(c) or (d)” substitute “decision, determination or requirement
falling within section 13A(1)(a), (b), (c) or (d)”;
(d)
10
in subsection (5)(b), for “decision or determination” substitute “decision,
determination or requirement”;
(e) in subsection (6A), for “decision or determination” substitute “decision,
determination or requirement”;
(f) in subsection (11) omit “(3),”.
(4) In section 13BC (alteration of registers: recall petition)—
15(a) in subsection (2)—
(i) at the end of paragraph (b) insert “and”;
(ii) at the end of paragraph (c) omit “and”;
(iii) omit paragraph (d) (requirement to provide additional
supporting material in Northern Ireland);
20(b) in subsection (4), for “13BA(2) and (5)” substitute “13BA(5)”.
(5) In Schedule 2 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (alteration of registers of
parliamentary electors) omit paragraph 6(3) and (4) (which amended section
13BA(2) and (3) of RPA 1983).
(6)
25
In section 7 of this Act, in subsection (4), in the definition of “voters register”,
in the words after paragraph (c), for “13BA(3), (6)” substitute “13BA(6)”.
35 Electoral identity card issued in Northern Ireland: month and year of birth
In section 13C of RPA 1983 (electoral identity card: Northern Ireland), in
subsection (4)(a), for “date of birth” substitute “month and year of birth”.
36 Regulations as to registration etc: information to assist registration officers
30(1) Schedule 2 to RPA 1983 (provisions which may be contained in regulations
as to registration etc) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (5).
(2) In paragraph 1, in sub-paragraph (4) (inspection of documents)—
(a) omit “to inspect”;
(b) after “duties,” insert “to inspect or otherwise access (by any means)”;
35(c) after “make” insert “, or require an authority or person described in
paragraph (a) or (b) to provide,”.
(3) In paragraph 1A (disclosure of information)—
Representation of the People Bill 44
Part 2—Registration of voters

(a) after sub-paragraph (1B) insert—
“(1C) Other provision authorising or requiring a person to disclose
information to another person for the purpose of assisting
a registration officer to carry out the officer’s functions.”;
5(b) in sub-paragraph (2), after “(1)” insert “or (1C)”;
(c) in sub-paragraph (3), after “(1)” insert “, (1C)”.
(4) In paragraph 1B (provision of information in connection with a canvass)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (1) omit “in Great Britain”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (2) omit “in Great Britain”;
10(c) in sub-paragraph (3) omit “in Great Britain”.
(5) In paragraph 3C (provision for registration officer conducting canvass to take
steps to obtain information)—
(a) omit sub-paragraph (1);
(b)
15
in sub-paragraph (1A), in the words before paragraph (a) omit from
“for the purposes” to the end of those words (but not the dash);
(c) in sub-paragraph (3) omit “(1),”.
(6) In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Elected Authorities (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
(application of RPA 1983), in the entry beginning “Section 53 and, in Schedule
2”—
20(a) after “1A,” insert “1B,”;
(b) after “3B,” insert “3C,”.
37 Edited register: electors to opt in
(1) In Schedule 2 to RPA 1983 (provisions which may be contained in regulations
25
as to registration etc), paragraph 10 (full and edited register of electors) is
amended as follows.
(2) In sub-paragraph (1), for the words from “omits” to “excluded from” substitute
“includes only the names and addresses of registered persons by whom
requests have been made to have their names and addresses included in”.
(3) Omit sub-paragraph (1A).
30(4) Before sub-paragraph (2) insert—
“(1B) In sub-paragraph (1), “registered person” means a person who has
an entry in the full register.
(1C) Provision made under sub-paragraph (1) must provide that a request
may not be made by a person—
35(a) who has not attained the age of 16, or
(b) whose entry in the full register is an anonymous entry.”
(5) In sub-paragraph (2)—
(a) in paragraph (a) omit “, or persons acting on behalf of such persons,”;
(b) in paragraph (b)—
45 Representation of the People Bill
Part 2—Registration of voters

(i) for “exclusion of their names and addresses from” substitute
“inclusion of their names and addresses in”;
(ii) omit “or on behalf of”.
PART 3
5CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS ETC
Returning officers
38 Provision of assistance by local authority officers to returning officers
In section 24 of RPA 1983 (returning officers: parliamentary elections in
England and Wales), after subsection (1A) insert—
10“(1B) Every local authority in England or Wales must place the services of
officers employed by the authority at the disposal of the returning
officer for a constituency wholly or partly situated in the authority’s
area for the purpose of assisting the returning officer in the discharge
15
of functions conferred on the returning officer in relation to a
parliamentary election in that constituency.”
39 Seniority of returning officers
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) and (3).
(2) In section 25 (returning officers: parliamentary elections in Scotland), for
subsection (1) substitute—
20“(1A) In relation to each constituency in Scotland, the relevant local authority
must appoint a senior officer of the authority to be the returning officer
for the constituency.
(1B) In subsection (1A), “the relevant local authority” means—
(a)
25
in the case of a constituency wholly situated in one local
government area, the local authority for that area;
(b) in the case of a constituency situated in more than one local
government area, the local authority designated by the Secretary
of State by order.
(1C) In subsection (1A), “senior officer” means—
30(a) the authority’s head of paid service designated under section
4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;
(b) the authority’s monitoring officer designated under section 5
of that Act;
(c)
35
a statutory chief officer of the authority (as defined in section
2(6) of that Act).”
(3) In section 35 (returning officers: local elections in England)—
(a) in subsection (1), for “an officer”, in each place it occurs, substitute “a
senior officer”;
Representation of the People Bill 46
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(b) after subsection (1) insert—
“(1ZA) In subsection (1), “senior officer” means—
(a) the council’s head of paid service designated under
5
section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act
1989;
(b) the council’s monitoring officer designated under section
5 of that Act;
(c) a statutory chief officer of the council (as defined in
section 2(6) of that Act).”;
10(c) in subsection (2A), for “and (2C)” substitute “to (2D)”;
(d) in subsection (2C)—
(i) for the words before paragraph (a) substitute “The Greater
London Authority must appoint a senior officer of the Authority
to be the returning officer—”;
15(ii) omit the words after paragraph (c);
(e) after subsection (2C) insert—
“(2D) In subsection (2C), “senior officer” means—
(a) the Authority’s head of paid service appointed under
section 72 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999;
20(b) the Authority’s monitoring officer appointed under
section 73 of that Act.”;
(f) for subsection (3) substitute—
“(3) Every London borough council must appoint a senior officer
25
of the council to be the returning officer for elections of
councillors of the borough.”;
(g) after subsection (3) insert—
“(3ZA) In subsection (3), “senior officer” means—
(a) the council’s head of paid service designated under
30
section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act
1989;
(b) the council’s monitoring officer designated under section
5 of that Act;
(c) a statutory chief officer of the council (as defined in
section 2(6) of that Act).”
35(4) In the Greater London Authority Act 1999, in section 29, in the definition of
“Greater London returning officer”, for “the proper officer of the Authority
for the purposes of” substitute “appointed by the Authority as the returning
officer under”.
47 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

Rules
40 Timing of proceedings for nominations
(1) In rule 1 of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections: timetable), the
Table is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4).
5(2) For the entry relating to the delivery of nomination papers substitute—
In the case of a general election or a by-election, between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day of the nomination period
6
7
“Delivery of
8
nomination
papers. except the last day of that period, and between 9 a.m.
and 12 noon on that last day.
10For these purposes, “the nomination period” means the
period beginning with the day after the day on which
the notice of election is published and ending with—
(a) in relation to a general election, the sixth
15
day after the day on which Parliament is
dissolved;
(b) in relation to a by-election, the day fixed
by the returning officer as the last day of
that period, which must not be—
(i)
20
earlier than the third day after the
day on which the notice of election
is published, or
(ii) later than the seventh day after the
day on which the writ is received.
25
For the purposes of paragraph (b)(ii) of the definition of
“the nomination period”, the writ is to be taken to have
been received on the day after the date of the warrant
for the writ.”
(3) In the entry relating to the making of objections to nomination papers—
(a)
30
for “during the hours allowed for delivery of nomination papers on
the last day for their delivery and the hour following” substitute
“between 12 noon and 5 p.m. on the penultimate day for delivery of
nomination papers, and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the last day for
their delivery”;
(b) for paragraph (a) (but not the “and” at the end) substitute—
35“(a) no objection may be made between 12 noon and 1 p.m.
on that last day except to a nomination paper delivered
on that last day;”.
(4) In the entry relating to the publication of a statement of persons nominated,
in paragraph (a), for “at” substitute “not later than one hour after”.
40(5) Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) (local
government elections in Northern Ireland) is amended as set out in subsections
(6) and (7).
Representation of the People Bill 48
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(6) In rule 1 (timetable)—
(a) in paragraph (2) (timetable for proceedings at an election in a local
election year), in the Table, for the entry relating to the delivery of
nomination papers substitute—
5Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day of the
nomination period except the last day of that
5
6
“Delivery of
7
nomination
papers. period, and between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on that
last day.
10
For these purposes, “the nomination period” means
the period beginning with the day after the day on
which the notice of election is published and ending
with the 16th day before election day.”;
(b) in paragraph (3) (timetable for proceedings at an election to fill a casual
15
vacancy), in the Table, for the entry relating to the delivery of
nomination papers substitute—
Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day of the
nomination period except the last day of that
16
17
“Delivery of
18
nomination
papers. period, and between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on that
last day.
20For these purposes, “the nomination period” means
the period beginning with the day after the day on
which the notice of election is published and ending
with the 7th day after the day on which that notice
is published.”
25(7) In rule 63 (proceedings for election following death of a candidate), in
paragraph (4), in the Table (timetable), for the entry relating to the delivery
of nomination papers substitute—
Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day of the nomination
30
period except the last day of that period, and between
9 a.m. and 12 noon on that last day.
28
29
“Delivery of
30
nomination
papers (pursuant
to paragraph (6)). For these purposes, “the nomination period” means the
period beginning with the day after the day on which
35
the notice of election is published and ending with the
7th day after the day on which that notice is published.”
41 Identification of candidates at parliamentary elections
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as follows.
(2) Schedule 1 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as set out in subsections
(3) to (9).
49 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(3) In rule 6 (nomination of candidates), after paragraph (6) insert—
“(7) The nomination paper must also be accompanied by, or by copies
of, prescribed documents that provide evidence of the candidate’s
5
identity (and those documents and copies of documents, and any
copies made in accordance with paragraph (10), are together referred
to in this Schedule as “identity evidence”).
(8) In paragraph (7), “prescribed” includes of a prescribed description.
(9) Provision in paragraph (1) about delivery of the nomination paper
applies also to the identity evidence.
10(10) Where the identity evidence delivered to the returning officer
consists of or includes an original document, the returning officer
must—
(a) make a copy of the original document (or arrange for a copy
to be made), and
15(b) return the original document to the person who delivered
it.”
(4) In rule 8 (consent to nomination), in paragraph (2)—
(a) for “a telegram” substitute “an email”;
(b)
20
for “consenting to his nomination and purporting” substitute “received
by the returning officer which consents to the person’s nomination
and purports”.
(5) After rule 8 insert—
“Declaration of truth
8A (1)
25
A person is not validly nominated unless the person makes a
declaration that—
(a) the person is aware of the offences in section 65A (offences
relating to false statements in nomination papers etc.), and
(b) the documents mentioned in paragraph (2) do not contain
30
any statement or information which the person knows to be
false in any particular, or anything which would otherwise
give rise to such an offence,
and such a declaration is referred to in this Schedule as a
“declaration of truth”.
(2)
35
The documents are the following documents as delivered to the
returning officer—
(a) the person’s nomination paper;
(b) the person’s home address form;
(c) the person’s consent to nomination (see rule 8).
(3) The declaration of truth must be—
40(a) in the prescribed form,
(b) signed by the person, and
Representation of the People Bill 50
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(c) delivered at the place and within the time for delivery of
nomination papers,
subject to paragraphs (4) and (5).
(4)
5
Paragraph (5) applies if the returning officer is satisfied that, owing
to the absence of a person from the United Kingdom, it has not
been reasonably practicable for the person to make a declaration of
truth that complies with paragraph (3).
(5) An email (or any similar means of communication) received by the
returning officer which—
10(a) contains a declaration of truth which purports to have been
made by the person, and
(b) purports to have been sent by the person,
is to be deemed for the purposes of this rule to be a declaration of
15
truth that complies with paragraph (3) made by the person on the
day on which the email (or other means of communication) purports
to have been sent.”
(6) In rule 11 (right to attend nomination), after paragraph (5) insert—
“(6) The returning officer may not permit a candidate’s identity evidence
to be inspected otherwise than for a purpose authorised by law.”
20(7) In rule 12 (decisions as to validity of nomination papers)—
(a) before paragraph (1) insert—
“(A1) Where a nomination paper and the documents mentioned
in paragraph (A2) are delivered, and a deposit is made, in
25
accordance with these rules, the candidate is deemed to stand
nominated unless and until one of the events mentioned in
paragraph (1) occurs.
(A2) The documents are—
(a) the home address form;
(b) the identity evidence;
30(c) the candidate’s consent to nomination (see rule 8);
(d) the declaration of truth.”;
(b) in paragraph (1)—
(i) for the words before sub-paragraph (a) substitute “The events
are as follows—”;
35(ii) after paragraph (aa) insert—
“(ab) the returning officer decides that there is a
discrepancy between the candidate’s full names
as stated on the nomination paper and the
40
candidate’s name as stated in the identity
evidence that cannot be resolved to the returning
officer’s satisfaction (including, where
appropriate, by production of further proof of
the candidate’s identity); or
51 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(ac) the returning officer decides that there is another
reason (arising from a document delivered to
the returning officer by or on behalf of the
5
candidate) to doubt that the candidate is who
they claim to be; or”.
(8) In the italic heading before rule 53A (destruction of home address forms), at
the end insert “and identity evidence”.
(9) In rule 53A—
(a) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);
10(b) in that paragraph, in the words before sub-paragraph (a), for “each
candidate’s home address form” substitute “the documents mentioned
in paragraph (2)”;
(c) after that paragraph insert—
“(2) The documents are—
15(a) each candidate’s home address form, and
(b) each candidate’s identity evidence (except for any
original documents).”
(10) In section 201 (regulations), in subsection (2AA)(c) (inserted by paragraph
9(2) of Schedule 5 to this Act), after “8(1)(a) and (2),” insert “8A(3)(a),”.
2042 Identification of candidates at local elections in Northern Ireland
(1) Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) (local
elections rules) is amended as follows.
(2) In rule 5 (nomination of candidates)—
(a)
25
in paragraph (9), in the words before paragraph (a), for “In this rule”
substitute “In paragraph (7)”;
(b) after paragraph (9) insert—
“(10) The nomination paper must be accompanied by, or by copies
of, specified documents that provide evidence of the
30
candidate’s identity (and those documents and copies of
documents, and any copies made in accordance with
paragraph (13), are together referred to in this Schedule as
“identity evidence”).
(11) In paragraph (10) “specified” means specified, or of a
35
description specified, by Order in Council under section
84(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
(12) The provisions in paragraph (1) about delivery of the
nomination paper also apply to delivery of the identity
evidence.
(13)
40
Where the identity evidence delivered to the returning officer
consists of or includes an original document, the returning
officer must—
Representation of the People Bill 52
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(a) make a copy of the original document (or arrange
for a copy to be made), and
(b) return the original document to the person who
delivered it.”
5(3) After rule 7 insert—
“Declaration of truth
7A (1) A person is not validly nominated unless the person makes a
declaration that—
(a)
10
the person is aware of the offences in paragraph 5A of
Schedule 9 (offences relating to false statements in
nomination papers, etc.), and
(b) the documents mentioned in paragraph (2) do not contain
any statement or information which the person knows to be
15
false in any particular, or anything which would otherwise
give rise to such an offence,
and such a declaration is referred to in this Schedule as a
“declaration of truth”.
(2) The documents are the following documents as delivered to the
returning officer—
20(a) the person’s nomination paper;
(b) the person’s home address form;
(c) the person’s consent to nomination (see rule 7).
(3) The declaration of truth must be—
(a) in the prescribed form,
25(b) signed by the person, and
(c) delivered at the place and within the time for the delivery
of nomination papers.”
(4) In rule 9 (right to attend nomination), after paragraph (6) insert—
“(7)
30
The returning officer may not permit a candidate’s identity evidence
to be inspected otherwise than for a purpose authorised by law.”
(5) In rule 10 (decisions as to validity of nomination papers)—
(a) before paragraph (1) insert—
“(A1) Where a nomination paper and the documents mentioned
35
in paragraph (A2) are delivered in accordance with these
rules, the candidate is deemed to stand nominated unless
and until one of the events mentioned in paragraph (1)
occurs.
(A2) The documents are—
(a) the home address form;
40(b) the identity evidence;
(c) the candidate’s consent to nomination (see rule 7);
53 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(d) the declaration of truth.”;
(b) in paragraph (1)—
(i) for the words before sub-paragraph (a) substitute “The events
are as follows—”;
5(ii) after sub-paragraph (aa) insert—
“(ab) the returning officer decides that there is a
discrepancy between the candidate’s full names
as stated on the nomination paper and the
10
candidate’s name as stated in the identity
evidence that cannot be resolved to the returning
officer’s satisfaction (including, where
appropriate, by production of further proof of
the candidate’s identity); or
(ac)
15
the returning officer decides that there is another
reason (arising from a document delivered to
the returning officer by or on behalf of the
candidate) to doubt that the candidate is who
they claim to be; or”.
(6)
20
In the italic heading before rule 56A (destruction of home address forms and
date of birth lists), after “forms” insert “, identity evidence”.
(7) In rule 56A, in paragraph (1A), after sub-paragraph (a) insert—
“(aa) each candidate’s identity evidence (except for any original
documents);”.
43 Withdrawal of certificates authorising candidate descriptions
25(1) Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as set out
in subsections (2) to (4).
(2) In rule 1 (timetable), in the Table, in the entry relating to delivery of notices
of withdrawals of candidature, for “withdrawals of candidature” substitute
“withdrawal by candidates”.
30(3) In rule 6A (nomination papers: name of registered political party)—
(a) in paragraph (1)(a), after “party” insert “(and not withdrawn)”;
(b) in paragraph (1B)—
(i) in the words before sub-paragraph (a), for “a certificate”
substitute “certificates”;
35(ii) in sub-paragraph (a), after “parties” insert “(and not
withdrawn)”;
(c) after paragraph (1C) insert—
“(1D) A certificate that meets the requirements in paragraph (1)
40
or (1B) may be withdrawn only by written notice to the
returning officer.
(1E) A notice under paragraph (1D) must be—
Representation of the People Bill 54
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(a) given by or on behalf of the registered nominating
officer of the party in relation to which the certificate
was issued, and
(b)
5
received by the returning officer not later than 48
hours before the end of the period for delivery of
nomination papers set out in the Table in rule 1.
(1F) As soon as practicable after receiving a notice under
paragraph (1D), the returning officer must inform the
following persons that the certificate has been withdrawn—
10(a) the candidate;
(b) where the certificate authorises a description of the
candidate as mentioned in paragraph (1B), each
registered nominating officer by or on behalf of
15
whom another certificate authorising the same
description was issued.”;
(d) for paragraph (4) substitute—
“(4) Rule 2 applies in computing the periods of time mentioned
in paragraphs (1E)(b) and (3)(a) as it applies in computing
any period of time for the purposes of the Timetable.”
20(4) In rule 12 (decisions as to validity of nomination papers)—
(a) in paragraph (3), for “paragraph (3A)” substitute “paragraphs (3ZA)
and (3A)”;
(b) after paragraph (3) insert—
“(3ZA)
25
If in the returning officer’s opinion a nomination paper
breaks rule 6A(1) or (1B) because a certificate issued under
the provision in question has been withdrawn by notice
under rule 6A(1D) (or for that reason and another reason),
the returning officer must give a decision to that effect as
soon as practicable after receiving the notice.”;
30(c) in paragraph (3A), in the words before sub-paragraph (a), after “(1B)”
insert “otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (3ZA)”.
(5) Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) (local
elections rules) is amended as set out in subsections (6) to (10).
(6) In rule 1 (timetable)—
35(a) in paragraph (2) (timetable for proceedings at an election in a local
election year), in the Table, in the entry relating to delivery of notices
of withdrawal of candidature, for “of candidature” substitute “by
candidates”;
(b)
40
in paragraph (3) (timetable for proceedings at an election to fill a casual
vacancy), in the Table, in the entry relating to delivery of notices of
withdrawal of candidature, for “of candidature” substitute “by
candidates”.
(7) In rule 5A (nomination papers: name of registered political party)—
(a) in paragraph (1)(a), after “party” insert “(and not withdrawn)”;
55 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(b) in paragraph (1B)—
(i) in the words before sub-paragraph (a), for “a certificate”
substitute “certificates”;
(ii)
5
in sub-paragraph (a), after “parties” insert “(and not
withdrawn)”;
(c) after paragraph (1C) insert—
“(1D) A certificate that meets the requirements in paragraph (1)
or (1B) may be withdrawn only by written notice to the
returning officer.
10(1E) A notice under paragraph (1D) must be—
(a) given by or on behalf of the registered nominating
officer of the party in relation to which the certificate
was issued, and
(b)
15
received by the returning officer not later than 48
hours before the last time for the delivery of
nomination papers.
(1F) Rule 2 applies in computing a period of time for the purpose
of paragraph (1E)(b) as it applies in computing a period of
time for the purpose of the appropriate Timetable.
20(1G) As soon as practicable after receiving a notice under
paragraph (1D), the returning officer must inform the
following persons that the certificate has been withdrawn—
(a) the candidate;
(b)
25
where the certificate authorises a description of the
candidate as mentioned in paragraph (1B), each
registered nominating officer by or on behalf of
whom another certificate authorising the same
description was issued.”
(8) In rule 10 (decisions as to validity of nomination papers)—
30(a) in paragraph (3), for “paragraph (3A)” substitute “paragraphs (3ZA)
and (3A)”;
(b) after paragraph (3) insert—
“(3ZA) If in the returning officer’s opinion a nomination paper
35
breaks rule 5A(1) or (1B) because a certificate issued under
the provision in question has been withdrawn by notice
under rule 5A(1D) (or for that reason and another reason),
the returning officer must give a decision to that effect as
soon as practicable after receiving the notice.”;
(c)
40
in paragraph (3A), in the words before sub-paragraph (a), after “(1B)”
insert “otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (3ZA)”.
(9) In rule 62 (proceedings where deceased independent candidate’s votes are
equal to or exceed quota), in paragraph (4), in the Table, in the entry relating
to delivery of notices of withdrawal of candidature, for “of candidature”
substitute “by candidates”.
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Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(10) In rule 63 (proceedings for election following death of a party candidate), in
paragraph (4), in the Table, in the entry relating to delivery of notices of
withdrawal of candidature, for “of candidature” substitute “by candidates”.
44 Subscription of nomination paper
5(1) In Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections rules), in rule 7
(subscription of nomination paper)—
(a) in paragraph (5)—
(i) at the beginning insert “Except as mentioned in paragraph
(5A),”;
10(ii) omit from “, but” to the end;
(b) after paragraph (5) insert—
“(5A) A person is not prevented from subscribing a nomination
paper (“the new nomination paper”) by reason only that the
15
person has previously subscribed the nomination paper (“the
original nomination paper”) of a candidate who, before
delivery of the new nomination paper—
(a) has died,
(b) has withdrawn, or
(c)
20
has ceased to be deemed to stand nominated by
reason only of a decision by the returning officer
under rule 12(1)(a) that the original nomination paper
breaks rule 6A(1) or (1B) (and so is invalid).”
(2) In Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.))
(local elections rules), in rule 6 (subscription of nomination paper)—
25(a) in paragraph (5)—
(i) at the beginning insert “Except as mentioned in paragraph
(5A),”;
(ii) omit from “; but” to the end;
(b) after paragraph (5) insert—
30“(5A) A person is not prevented from subscribing a nomination
paper (“the new nomination paper”) by reason only that the
person has previously subscribed the nomination paper (“the
original nomination paper”) of a candidate who, before
delivery of the new nomination paper—
35(a) has died,
(b) has withdrawn, or
(c) has ceased to be deemed to stand nominated by
reason only of a decision by the returning officer
40
under rule 10(1)(a) that the original nomination paper
breaks rule 5A(1) or (1B) (and so is invalid).”
45 Police contact form
(1) Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.
57 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(2) After rule 7 insert—
“Police contact form: Great Britain
7A (1) In relation to an election in a constituency in England, Wales or
5
Scotland, a nomination paper may be accompanied by a document
(a “police contact form”) which includes—
(a) the candidate’s full names,
(b) where the nomination paper states commonly used names
in accordance with rule 6(2A), those names,
(c)
10
a statement that the candidate wishes to be contacted by the
police in connection with matters relating to the candidate’s
safety, and
(d) one or more of the following that may be used to contact
the candidate—
(i) a postal address;
15(ii) an email address;
(iii) a telephone number.
(2) Provision in rule 6(1) about delivery of the nomination paper applies
also to a police contact form.
(3) Paragraph (4) applies where—
20(a) a police contact form is delivered in accordance with this
rule (and not withdrawn), and
(b) the candidate is shown in the statement of persons nominated
as a person standing nominated.
(4)
25
The returning officer must give a copy of the police contact form
to the relevant chief officer of police (or, if there is more than one,
to each such officer) as soon as practicable after publication of the
statement of persons nominated.
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4), the duty to give a copy of a
30
police contact form to a chief officer of police is satisfied if the copy
is given to a person nominated by the officer to receive police contact
forms on the officer’s behalf.
(6) In this rule, “relevant chief officer of police” means—
(a) in relation to a constituency in England or Wales, the chief
35
officer of police in relation to the police force maintained for
a police area in which the constituency, or a part of it, is
situated;
(b) in relation to a constituency in Scotland, the chief constable
of the Police Service of Scotland.”
(3)
40
In rule 11 (right to attend nomination), in paragraph (6) (inserted by section
41(6) of this Act), after “identity evidence” insert “or a police contact form”.
Representation of the People Bill 58
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

46 Calling out and completed corresponding number lists etc
(1) In rule 34 of Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c.
14 (N.I.)) (local elections rules: voting procedure and voter identification
requirements)—
5(a) in paragraph (1) omit sub-paragraph (b) (calling out);
(b) in paragraph (1A) (inserted by paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 4 to the
Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006) omit
sub-paragraph (a).
(2)
10
Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as set out
in subsections (3) and (4).
(3) In rule 37 (voting procedure and voter identification requirements), as it
extends to Northern Ireland—
(a) in paragraph (1) omit sub-paragraph (b) (calling out);
(b) in paragraph (1ZA) omit sub-paragraph (a).
15(4) In rule 43 (procedure on close of poll)—
(a) in paragraph (1)(da) (completed corresponding number lists), for “rule
19A, including the parts” substitute “rule 29(3)(e)”;
(b) in paragraph (4) (application to Northern Ireland)—
(i) omit the “and” at the end of sub-paragraph (a);
20(ii) after sub-paragraph (a) insert—
“(aa) the reference in paragraph (1)(da) to rule 37(1)(b)
and (d) were a reference to rule 37(1)(c) (as that
rule extends to Northern Ireland), and”.
(5)
25
In section 44 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (access to certain election
documents: supplementary)—
(a) in subsection (11) (completed corresponding number lists), for “rule
19A” substitute “rule 29(3)(e)”;
(b) after subsection (11) insert—
“(11A) This section applies in relation to Northern Ireland as if—
30(a) the reference in subsection (8) to rule 37(1)(c) of the
parliamentary elections rules were a reference to rule
37(1)(d) of those rules (as that rule extends to Northern
Ireland), and
(b)
35
the reference in subsection (11) to rule 37(1)(b) and (d)
of those rules were a reference to rule 37(1)(c) of those
rules (as that rule extends to Northern Ireland).”
(6) The amendments made by subsections (4)(a) and (5) are to be treated as
always having had effect.
59 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

47 Voter identification requirements
(1) Rule 37 of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections: voting procedure
and voter identification requirements), as it extends to England and Wales
and to Scotland, is amended as follows.
5(2) In paragraph (1H)—
(a) in the words before sub-paragraph (a)—
(i) after “paragraph (1K))” insert “and subject to paragraphs (1HA)
to (1HC)”;
(ii)
10
omit “(in whatever form issued to the holder) that contain a
photograph of the holder”;
(b) at the end insert—
“(m) a payment card (see paragraph (1JA)) or a cash
withdrawal card which—
(i)
15
is issued to the holder by a person who, at the
time the card is issued, is a relevant
UK-authorised person (see paragraph (1JA)),
(ii) shows the holder’s first name or first initial and
the holder’s surname, and
(iii)
20
shows when the card expires (see also paragraph
(1NA)).”
(3) After paragraph (1H) insert—
“(1HA) A document referred to in paragraph (1H)(a) to (l) is a specified
document only if it contains a photograph of the holder.
(1HB)
25
A document referred to in paragraph (1H) is a specified document
in whatever form it is issued to the holder, except that a document
mentioned in paragraph (1H)(m) is a specified document only if it
is issued to the holder, and produced, in physical form.
(1HC) A document referred to in paragraph (1H) that is issued to the
30
holder, and produced, in digital form is a specified document only
if a person can form a reasonable view about whether it is a
specified document by means of visual inspection alone.”
(4) After paragraph (1J) insert—
“(1JA) In paragraph (1H)(m)—
35
“payment card” includes a credit card, a charge card, a debit
card and a prepaid card;
“relevant UK-authorised person” means—
(a) a person who has a Part 4A permission (as defined
in section 55A(5) of the Financial Services and
40
Markets Act 2000) to carry on the regulated activity
of accepting deposits (see section 22 of that Act, taken
with Schedule 2 to that Act, and any order under
that section);
Representation of the People Bill 60
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(b) a person who is authorised or regulated under the
Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/99) or
the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (S.I.
2017/752).”
5(5) In paragraph (1M), for “paragraph (1N)” substitute “paragraphs (1N) and
(1NA)”.
(6) After paragraph (1N) insert—
“(1NA) In relation to a card referred to in paragraph (1H)(m)—
(a) paragraph (1M) does not apply, and
10(b) the card is a specified document only if it has not expired.”
(7) In paragraph (1Q)—
(a) in the words before sub-paragraph (a), for “paragraph (1H), (1I) or
(1J)” substitute “this rule”;
(b)
15
in sub-paragraph (a), for “any of those paragraphs” substitute
“paragraph (1H)”;
(c) in sub-paragraph (b), for “any of those paragraphs” substitute “that
paragraph”;
(d) in sub-paragraph (c), for “any of those paragraphs” substitute “that
paragraph”;
20(e) after sub-paragraph (c) insert—
“including by varying or repealing paragraph (1I), (1J) or (1JA) or
adding, varying or repealing other paragraphs containing definitions.”
(8) After paragraph (1Q) insert—
“(1QA) Regulations may vary this rule by making provision about—
25(a) whether a document must contain a photograph of the holder
in order to be a specified document,
(b) whether a document that is not required to contain a
photograph of the holder in order to be a specified document
must not have expired in order to be such a document,
30(c) whether a document must be issued to the holder, or
produced, in a particular form in order to be a specified
document, and
(d) the means by which a person must be able to form a
35
reasonable view about whether a document is a specified
document,
including provision varying paragraph (1HA), (1HB) or (1HC),
varying or repealing paragraph (1NA) or adding, varying or
repealing other paragraphs.”
(9) In paragraph (1R)—
40(a) for “provision by virtue of paragraph (1Q)(b)” substitute “the following
provision”;
61 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(b) at the end insert “—
(a) provision described in paragraph (1Q)(b);
(b) provision described in paragraph (1QA)(a) or (c) the
5
effect of which is that a document referred to in
paragraph (1H) ceases to be a specified document.”
Absent voting
48 Absent voting
In Schedule 3—
(a)
10
Part 1 makes provision about voting by post or by proxy in Great
Britain;
(b) Part 2 makes provision about voting by post or by proxy in Northern
Ireland;
(c) Part 3 makes other provision relating to voting by post or by proxy,
including provision about offences of providing false information.
15Information to help people understand elections etc
49 Power to obtain election-related information etc
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations require an officer specified in section
50 to provide the Secretary of State or the Electoral Commission with
20
information about an election, referendum or recall petition process specified
in section 51.
(2) Regulations under this section may only require the provision of information
that the Secretary of State or the Electoral Commission reasonably requires
for the purpose of helping people to understand the election, referendum or
recall petition process, including information about—
25(a) who is entitled to vote in the election or referendum or to sign the
recall petition;
(b) how, when and where to vote or to sign the recall petition;
(c) the question to be decided, including the candidates at the election or
30
the member of the House of Commons who is subject to the recall
petition;
(d) the conduct of the election, referendum or recall petition process,
including the timetable;
(e) the support available for people with disabilities;
(f) the result of the election, referendum or recall petition process.
35(3) Regulations under this section may not require the provision of information
about individuals, other than information about candidates in elections or
about members of the House of Commons who are subject to a recall petition.
(4) Regulations under this section may, among other things—
Representation of the People Bill 62
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(a) make provision about the form and manner in which information
must be provided;
(b) make provision about when information must be provided;
(c) make different provision for different purposes or different areas.
5(5) Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.
(6) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to
annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(7) In this section and sections 50 and 51—
10
“recall petition” has the same meaning as in the Recall of MPs Act 2015
(see section 1(2) of that Act);
“recall petition process” means the process for dealing with a recall
petition.
50 Specified officers
(1)
15
The following officers are specified for the purposes of section 49 in relation
to information about an election—
(a) a returning officer for the election;
(b) an electoral registration officer maintaining a register under section 9
of RPA 1983 that is used to determine entitlement to vote in the
election.
20(2) The following officers are specified for the purposes of section 49 in relation
to information about a referendum—
(a) a counting officer for the referendum;
(b) an electoral registration officer maintaining a register under section 9
25
of RPA 1983 that is used to determine entitlement to vote in the
referendum.
(3) The following officers are specified for the purposes of section 49 in relation
to information about a recall petition process—
(a) a petition officer for the recall petition process;
(b)
30
an electoral registration officer maintaining a register under section 9
of RPA 1983 that is used to determine who is entitled to sign the recall
petition.
(4) In this section, references to a returning officer, a counting officer or a petition
officer—
(a)
35
are references to an officer who, under an enactment, holds an office
with that title or an officer with a title which includes those words
and other words, and
(b) include a person who, under an enactment or by virtue of an
appointment made under an enactment, carries out some or all of the
functions of such an officer.
40(5) In this section, “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in subordinate
legislation (as defined in section 21 of the Interpretation Act 1978).
63 Representation of the People Bill
Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

51 Specified elections etc
(1) The following elections are specified for the purposes of section 49—
(a) a parliamentary election for a constituency in England, Wales or
Scotland;
5(b) a local government election within the meaning of section 203 of RPA
1983 for an area in England;
(c) an election under Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000 (local
authority governance: England) for the return of an elected mayor;
(d)
10
an election for the return of a mayor for the area of a combined
authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy,
Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;
(e) an election for the return of a mayor for the area of a combined county
authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and
Regeneration Act 2023;
15(f) an election of a police and crime commissioner.
(2) A referendum under or by virtue of the following provisions is specified for
the purposes of section 49—
(a) Chapter 4 of Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000 (local authority
governance: England);
20(b) section 52ZG or 52ZN of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
(referendums in relation to council tax);
(c) Schedule 4B or 4C to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
(referendums on neighbourhood development plans).
(3)
25
A recall petition process relating to a member of the House of Commons for
a constituency in England, Wales or Scotland is specified for the purposes of
section 49.
Other provision about the conduct of elections etc
52 Effect of the death of the Sovereign on certain elections and referendums
30
Schedule 4 makes provision about the effect of the death of the Sovereign on
certain elections and referendums.
53 Form of documents for elections and referendums
(1) The following are repealed—
(a) the Appendix of Forms in Schedule 5 to the Electoral Law Act
(Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) (local elections rules);
35(b) section 126 of, and Schedule 10 to, that Act (forms);
(c) the Appendix of Forms in Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary
elections rules).
(2) Schedule 5—
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Part 3—Conduct of elections etc

(a) makes provision for the form of the documents in the Appendices and
Schedule repealed by subsection (1) to be set out instead in subordinate
legislation;
(b)
5
confers powers to specify the form of other documents for elections
in subordinate legislation;
(c) makes provision requiring consultation with the Electoral Commission
about subordinate legislation setting out the form of documents for
elections and referendums;
(d)
10
makes provision about scrutiny by Parliament of such subordinate
legislation;
(e) makes provision enabling regulations and rules under certain Acts
which are normally subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution
of either House of Parliament to be made instead in an instrument
which must be laid before and approved by a resolution of each House.
15PART 4
CAMPAIGNS AND POLITICAL EXPENDITURE
The election agent
54 Removal of requirement to publish election agents’ addresses
(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) and (3).
20(2) In section 67 (appointment of election agent)—
(a) in subsection (6)—
(i) omit “, unless subsection (6ZA) applies”;
(ii) at the end insert “(but see subsections (6ZC), (6ZD) and (6A))”;
(b) omit subsections (6ZA) and (6ZB);
25(c) before subsection (6A) insert—
“(6ZC) Subsection (6ZD) applies where a declaration under subsection
(1) or (4) in relation to an election agent of a candidate at a
parliamentary election or at a local government election in
England or Scotland is accompanied by—
30(a) an address (a “correspondence address”) in the United
Kingdom that may be used for correspondence with
the election agent, and
(b) a request that a public notice under subsection (6) in
35
relation to the declaration includes the correspondence
address instead of the address stated in the declaration.
(6ZD) In such a case—
(a) the address stated in the declaration must not be
included in the public notice, and
(b)
40
the correspondence address must be included in the
public notice.”
65 Representation of the People Bill
Part 4—Campaigns and political expenditure

(3) In section 68 (nomination of sub-agent at parliamentary or Authority
elections)—
(a) in subsection (3)—
(i) omit “, unless subsection (3A) applies”;
5(ii) at the end insert “(but see subsections (6) and (7))”;
(b) omit subsections (3A) and (3B);
(c) in subsection (4), in the words after paragraph (b), at the end insert
“(but see subsections (6) and (7))”;
(d) after subsection (5) insert—
10“(6) Subsection (7) applies where a declaration under subsection
(3) or (4) is accompanied by—
(a) an address (a “correspondence address”) in the United
Kingdom that may be used for correspondence with
the sub-agent, and
15(b) a request that a public notice under subsection (3) or
(4) in relation to the declaration includes the
correspondence address instead of the address stated
in the declaration.
(7) In such a case—
20(a) the address stated in the declaration must not be
included in the public notice, and
(b) the correspondence address must be included in the
public notice.”
(4)
25
In section 34 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.))
(appointment of election agent)—
(a) in subsection (5), at the end insert “(but see subsections (6) and (7))”;
(b) after subsection (5) insert—
“(6) Subsection (7) applies where a declaration under subsection (1)
or (4) is accompanied by—
30(a) an address (a “correspondence address”) in the United
Kingdom that may be used for correspondence with the
election agent, and
(b) a request that a public notice under subsection (5) in relation
35
to the declaration includes the correspondence address instead
of the address stated in the declaration.
(7) In such a case—
(a) the address stated in the declaration must not be included in
the public notice, and
(b)
40
the correspondence address must be included in the public
notice.”
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Part 4—Campaigns and political expenditure

Campaign expenses and returns
55 Leave to pay late and disputed expenses claims
Schedule 6 makes provision for the Electoral Commission, rather than the
5
courts, to grant leave to pay late and disputed claims in respect of certain
expenses and corrects a related typographical error.
56 Delivery and inspection of returns and declarations
(1) Schedule 7 makes provision for, and in connection with, the delivery to the
Electoral Commission of certain returns, declarations and associated documents
10
required to be delivered under the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962
(c. 14 (N.I.)), RPA 1983 and the Recall of MPs Act 2015.
(2) In section 51 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.))
(summary of returns and notification of time and place for inspection of
returns and declarations), for the words from “two” to “held,” substitute “such
manner as the returning officer considers appropriate”.
15(3) In section 88 of RPA 1983 (notification of time and place for inspection of
returns and declarations), in paragraph (a), for the words from “not” to “held”
substitute “such manner as the returning officer considers appropriate”.
57 Recall campaign donations: transfer of powers to prescribe content of returns
(1)
20
Schedule 5 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (recall petition returns) is amended
as set out in subsections (2) and (3).
(2) In paragraph 3 (contents of return relating to accepted donations)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (1)(a)(iv) (power to prescribe additional content), for
“Minister” substitute “Electoral Commission”;
(b)
25
omit sub-paragraph (3) (duty of Minister to consult Commission on
regulations);
(c) omit sub-paragraph (4) (regulations subject to negative procedure).
(3) In paragraph 4 (contents of return relating to rejected donations)—
(a) in sub-paragraphs (2)(f) and (3)(f) (power to prescribe additional
content), for “Minister” substitute “Electoral Commission”;
30(b) omit sub-paragraph (4) (duty of Minister to consult Commission on
regulations);
(c) omit sub-paragraph (5) (regulations subject to negative procedure).
(4) In section 21(2) of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (certain regulations not to be
made by statutory instrument)—
35(a) after “1(4)” insert “, 3(1)(a)(iv), 4(2)(f) or 4(3)(f)”;
(b) after “form” insert “or content”.
67 Representation of the People Bill
Part 4—Campaigns and political expenditure

Control of political donations
58 Risk assessments for donations to registered parties etc
(1) Part 4 of PPERA 2000 (control of donations to registered parties and their
members etc) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (9).
5(2) In section 54 (permissible donors), after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) A donation of an amount exceeding £11,180 received by a registered
party must not be accepted by the party unless, before the end of the
period of 30 days beginning with the date when the donation is
10
received by the party, the party has undertaken a risk assessment in
relation to the donation (see section 54C).
(1B) For the purposes of subsection (1A), a donation from a person is to
be treated as a donation of an amount exceeding £11,180 if—
(a) the party has not previously undertaken a risk assessment in
15
relation to a relevant benefit accruing to the party in the same
calendar year, and
(b) when the value of the donation is added to any other relevant
benefit or benefits accruing to the party in the same calendar
year, the aggregate amount of the benefits is more than £11,180.
(1C)
20
For the purposes of subsection (1A), a donation from a person is also
to be treated as a donation of an amount exceeding £11,180 if—
(a) the party has previously undertaken a risk assessment in
relation to a relevant benefit accruing to the party in the same
calendar year (the “previous risk-assessed benefit”), and
(b)
25
when the value of the donation is added to any other relevant
benefit or benefits accruing to the party in that calendar year
after the previous risk-assessed benefit accrued to the party
(or, if there has been more than one, the last such benefit), the
aggregate amount of the benefits is more than £11,180.
(1D)
30
In subsections (1B) and (1C), “relevant benefit”, in relation to a person,
means—
(a) a donation accepted by the party from that person as a donor,
or
(b) a relevant transaction (within the meaning of Part 4A) entered
into by the party and that person as a participant,
35and a relevant benefit accrues when it is accepted (if it is a donation)
or entered into (if it is a transaction).”
(3) After section 54B insert—
“54C Risk assessments in relation to donations
(1)
40
A risk assessment under section 54(1A) is an assessment by the
registered party of the risk that the donation would be made by a
person other than a permissible donor.
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Part 4—Campaigns and political expenditure

(2) In carrying out a risk assessment, the party must take into account
the following risk factors—
(a) the type of person from whom the donation is received,
(b) that person’s previous donation history,
5(c) the type of donation,
(d) the amount of the donation, and
(e) any other risk factors the party considers to be relevant.
(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend the risk factors set
out in subsection (2).
10(4) The Secretary of State may make such regulations either—
(a) where the regulations give effect to a recommendation of the
Commission, or
(b) after consultation with the Commission.
(5)
15
In carrying out a risk assessment, the party must have regard to
guidance in force under section 54D.
(6) The party must retain for at least six years—
(a) a record of each risk assessment that it undertakes, and
(b) the information it used to undertake each assessment.
54D Guidance on risk assessments
20(1) The Commission must prepare guidance on how to undertake a risk
assessment under this Act.
(2) The guidance must include guidance on—
(a) how a person undertaking a risk assessment should take the
risk factors into account,
25(b) the circumstances that might lead to a certain type or level of
risk,
(c) how the risk might be reduced,
(d) who should prepare the risk assessment and the procedures
to be followed, and
30(e) the kinds of checks that may be carried out for the purposes
of the risk assessment.
(3) The Commission—
(a) may prepare revised guidance under this section;
(b)
35
must prepare revised guidance if directed to do so by the
Secretary of State.
(4) The Commission must consult—
(a) registered parties, and
(b) such other persons as the Commission consider appropriate,
on a draft of the guidance.
69 Representation of the People Bill
Part 4—Campaigns and political expenditure

(5) After the Commission have carried out the consultation required by
subsection (4), they must—
(a) make whatever modifications to the draft guidance they
5
consider necessary in the light of responses to the consultation,
and
(b) submit the draft to the Secretary of State for approval.
(6) The Secretary of State must, before approving the draft guidance—
(a) consult the Scottish Ministers in relation to any aspects of the
10
guidance which relate to matters which would be within the
legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament if they were
contained in an Act of that Parliament;
(b) consult the Welsh Ministers in relation to any aspects of the
guidance which relate to matters which would be within the
15
legislative competence of Senedd Cymru if they were contained
in an Act of the Senedd.
(7) The Secretary of State may approve the draft guidance either without
modifications or with such modifications as the Secretary of State may
determine.
(8)
20
Once the Secretary of State has approved the draft guidance, the
Secretary of State must lay before each House of Parliament—
(a) a copy of the draft guidance (in its approved form), and
(b) if the Secretary of State made modifications to the guidance, a
statement of the reasons for making them.
(9)
25
If, before the end of the 40-day period, either House resolves not to
approve the draft, the Secretary of State must take no further steps in
relation to the draft guidance.
(10) Subsection (9) does not prevent new draft guidance from being laid
before Parliament.
(11)
30
If no resolution of the kind mentioned in subsection (9) is made before
the end of the 40-day period—
(a) the Secretary of State must issue the guidance in the form of
the draft laid before Parliament,
(b) the Commission must arrange for the guidance to be published,
and
35(c) the guidance comes into force on the day appointed by
regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(12) In this section, “the 40-day period”, in relation to draft guidance,
means—
(a)
40
if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the
day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of
40 days beginning with the later of the two days, and
(b) in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the
day on which the draft is laid before each House,
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Part 4—Campaigns and political expenditure

no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is
dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned
for more than four days.
(13)
5
In subsections (4) to (12), references to guidance or to draft guidance
include revised guidance or draft revised guidance.
(14) Where the Commission revise guidance under this section without
changing the substance of the guidance—
(a) subsections (4) to (12) do not apply in connection with the
revised guidance,
10(b) the Commission must issue the revised guidance and arrange
for it to be published in such manner as the Commission
consider appropriate, and
(c) the revised guidance comes into force on the day specified by
the Commission in the revised guidance.”
15(4) In section 56 (acceptance or return of donations: general)—
(a) in subsection (2), in the words before paragraph (a), after “54(1)” insert
“or (1A)”;
(b) in subsection (3A), in the words before paragraph (a), after “(3)” insert
“on the grounds of a breach of section 54(1)(a)”.
20(5) In section 58 (forfeiture of donations made by impermissible or unidentifiable
donors)—
(a) in the heading, at the end insert “etc”;
(b) in subsection (1)(a), after “(b)” insert “or (1A)”.
(6)
25
In section 62 (quarterly donation reports), in subsection (9), after “(b)” insert
“or (1A)”.
(7) In section 66 (declaration by treasurer in donation report)—
(a) in subsection (2), before paragraph (a) insert—
“(za) the party has undertaken a risk assessment in relation
30
to every donation accepted by the party during the
reporting period for which such an assessment is
required by section 54(1A),”;
(b) in subsection (4), for the words from “, no donations” to the end
substitute “—
(a)
35
the party has undertaken a risk assessment in relation
to every donation accepted by the party, or (if section
63(3)(b) applies) by its central organisation, during the
reporting period for which such an assessment is
required by section 54(1A), and
(b)
40
no donations have been received by the party, or (if
section 63(3)(b) applies) by its central organisation,
during the reporting period which—
(i) are required to be recorded in the report, but
(ii) are not so recorded.”
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(8) In section 69 (register of recordable donations), in subsection (2)(b), for “or
7(a) or (c)” substitute “, 7(a) or (c) or 7A(a) or (c)”.
(9) In Schedule 6 (details to be given in donation reports), after paragraph 7
insert—
5“Donations where risk assessment not undertaken
7A In relation to each recordable donation which a party is prohibited
from accepting by virtue of section 54(1A) (risk assessment), a
quarterly report must give—
(a)
10
the name and address of the donor or the person appearing
to be the donor or, if the party is unable to ascertain the
identity of that person, details of the manner in which the
donation was made;
(b) if applicable, details of any element of deception or
15
concealment employed by the donor of which the registered
party or any accounting unit of the party became aware and
the means by which it was revealed; and
(c) the date when, and the manner in which, the donation was
dealt with in accordance with section 56(2).”
(10) In section 156 of PPERA 2000 (orders and regulations)—
20(a) in subsection (3), before paragraph (za) insert—
“(zza) regulations under section 54D(10)(c);”;
(b) in subsection (4ZA) (inserted by section 60(7) of this Act), before
paragraph (a) insert—
“(za) section 54C(3);”.
25(11) Schedule 8 makes amendments corresponding to the amendments made by
this section, requiring risk assessments to be undertaken and declarations
about such risk assessments to be made, in relation to—
(a) donations to individuals and members associations,
(b) loans to, and other restricted transactions with, registered parties,
30(c) loans to, and other restricted transactions with, individuals and
members associations,
(d) donations to recognised third parties,
(e) donations to permitted participants in referendums,
(f) donations to candidates at elections,
35(g) donations to accredited campaigners in recall petitions, and
(h) donations to candidates in local elections in Northern Ireland.
59 Permissible donors not to include individuals under 16
(1) In section 54 of PPERA 2000 (control of donations to registered parties:
40
permissible donors), in subsection (2)(a), after “individual” insert “aged 16 or
over”.
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(2) In Schedule 4 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (control of donations to accredited
campaigners), in paragraph 6 (permissible donors), in sub-paragraph (1)(b),
after “individual” insert “aged 16 or over”.
60 Donations by companies and LLPs etc
5(1) Part 4 of PPERA 2000 (control of donations to registered parties and their
members etc) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (6).
(2) In section 54 (permissible donors)—
(a) for subsection (2)(b) substitute—
“(b)
10
a company which (subject to subsections (3ZA) and
(3ZB))—
(i) is registered under the Companies Act 2006,
(ii) is incorporated in the United Kingdom,
(iii) carries on business in the United Kingdom, and
(iv)
15
satisfies the significant control test for companies
in section 54E;”;
(b) for subsection (2)(f) substitute—
“(f) a limited liability partnership which (subject to
subsections (3ZA) and (3ZB))—
(i)
20
is registered under the Limited Liability
Partnerships Act 2000,
(ii) carries on business in the United Kingdom, and
(iii) satisfies the significant control test for limited
liability partnerships in section 54F;”;
(c) after subsection (3) insert—
25“(3ZA) A person is not to be treated as a permissible donor in relation
to a donation by virtue of subsection (2)(b) or (f) unless, at the
time of the donation’s receipt by the party—
(a) the amount of the person’s remaining available revenue,
30
calculated in accordance with section 54H, is at least
equal to the amount of the donation, and
(b) the person satisfies the accounts filing obligation in
section 54I.”;
(d) after subsection (3ZA) (inserted by paragraph (c)) insert—
“(3ZB)
35
Subsections (2)(b)(iv) and (f)(iii) and (3ZA) apply in relation
to a donation falling within section 50(2)(b), (d) or (f)
(sponsorship, payment of expenses or provision otherwise than
on commercial terms of property etc) received by a registered
party from a person only if—
(a) it is a donation of more than £2,230, or
40(b) when the donation is added to any other donations
falling within section 50(2)(b), (d) or (f) that have been
1
accepted by the party from that person as a donor in
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the same calendar year, the aggregate amount of the
donations is more than £2,230.”
(3) After section 54D (inserted by section 58 of this Act) insert—
“54E Significant control test for companies
5(1) A company satisfies the significant control test (see section 54(2)(b)(iv))
if—
(a) it is a company to which Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006
(information about people with significant control) applies, and
(b) any of conditions A to D is met in relation to the company.
10(2) Condition A is that there is no person who is a registrable person or
registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company.
(3) Condition B is that—
(a) there is a registrable person in relation to the company who
15
holds, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the shares or
voting rights in the company,
(b) that registrable person (or, if there is more than one, each such
registrable person) is—
(i) registered in an electoral register, or
(ii)
20
a British citizen usually resident in the United Kingdom,
and
(c) there is no person which is a registrable relevant legal entity
in relation to the company which holds, directly or indirectly,
more than 50% of the shares or voting rights in the company.
(4) Condition C is that—
25(a) there is no person who is a registrable person or registrable
relevant legal entity in relation to the company who holds,
directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the shares or voting
rights in the company, and
(b)
30
there are at least two persons who are registrable persons in
relation to the company each of whom—
(i) holds, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the shares
or voting rights in the company, and
(ii) is registered in an electoral register or is a British citizen
usually resident in the United Kingdom.
35(5) Condition D is that—
(a) each registrable person in relation to the company is—
(i) registered in an electoral register, or
(ii) a British citizen usually resident in the United Kingdom,
and
40(b) there is no person which is a registrable relevant legal entity
in relation to the company.
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