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Representation of the People Act 1983

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Representation of the People Act 1983, Section 62A is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

  • Act Representation of the People Acts amended by 1985 c. 50 Sch. 1 para. 24
  • Act power to amend conferred by 2009 c. 12 s. 34(3)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • Blanket amendment words substituted by S.I. 2011/1043 art. 3 4

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

  • s. 9(2A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(2)
  • s. 9E(1A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(4)
  • s. 9ZA inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(3)
  • s. 10(4C) (4D) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(3)(e) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 10A(1C) (1D) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(5)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 10ZE(2A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(5)(a)
  • s. 10ZE(4A) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(5)(c)
  • s. 10ZE(5A)-(5C) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(5)(d)
  • s. 13A(1)(zc) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(6)
  • s. 13A(2C) (2D) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(6)(d) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 16(1)(e) words substituted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 1(5)
  • s. 16(1)(e) words substituted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 1(6)
  • s. 49(5)(b)(iiia) inserted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 1(8)(a)
  • s. 56(1)(azaa) inserted by 2021 asc 1 s. 18(9)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 7(2)(a)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/2031, Sch. 8 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 7(3)(a)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/323, Sch. 4 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 5(a)
  • s. 62C applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2012/444, Sch. 4 Table 1 (as amended) by S.I. 2023/1141 reg. 6(a)
  • s. 62C inserted by 2023 c. 12 s. 1
  • s. 63(3)(ba) inserted by 2006 c. 22 s. 7 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 7 repealed (2.4.2013) without ever being in force by 2013 c. 6, s. 23; S.I. 2013/702, art. 3(e))
  • s. 81(4A) (4B) inserted by 2006 asp 14 s. 19(2)
  • s. 113(7)(b)(c) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 15(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 114(4) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 16 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 115(3) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 17 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 139(6A) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 19(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 165(3A) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 20 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • s. 201(2B) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(9) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • s. 203A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 table (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 11(3)
  • s. 203A 203B applied by 1989 c. 3, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 9(4)
  • s. 203B applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 table (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 11(3)
  • Sch. 1 rule 37A inserted by 2011 c. 1 s. 9(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 9 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(a))
  • Sch. 1 rule 45A 45B inserted by 2011 c. 1 s. 9(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 9 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(a))
  • Sch. 1 rule 46(3) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 5(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(3A)(3B) inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(4) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 40(1B)(a) repealed by 2006 c. 22 Sch. 2
  • Sch. 1 rule 18 substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 2 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(4)(d) substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(5)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 61(2)(c) substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 10(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 62 substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 11(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(1)(aa)(b) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 47(1)(b) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(2)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(2)-(2E) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 47(2) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(4)(aa)(b) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 47(4)(b) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(5)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 49 49A substituted for Sch. 1 rule 49 by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 7 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 50(1)(a)(aa)(ab)(b)(c) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 50(1)(a)-(c) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 8 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 61(2)(a)(aa) substituted for Sch. 1 rule 61(2)(a) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 10(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 46(1)(1A) substituted for rule 46(1) by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 5(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 46(2) words inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 5(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47 heading words inserted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 29(5) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 3 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 44(5) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 4 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(1) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(2)(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 47(1)(d) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 6(2)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 53(4) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 9 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 1 rule 61(1) words substituted by 2011 c. 1 Sch. 10 para. 10(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 10 repealed (8.7.2011) without ever being in force by S.I. 2011/1702, arts. 1, 2(b))
  • Sch. 2 para. 1(4ZA)-(4ZC) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(10)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • Sch. 2 para. 1(6A) inserted by 2009 c. 12 s. 33(10)(e) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 30-34 repealed (10.6.2014 for E.W., 15.9.2014 for N.I., 19.9.2014 for S.) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), s. 27(1), Sch. 4 para. 24(b) (with Sch. 5); S.I. 2014/414, art. 5(m); S.I. 2014/2439, art. 2(l))
  • Sch. 2 para. 5C inserted by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 4 para. 5
  • Sch. 6A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/2599, Sch. 1 table (as inserted) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 11(4)
  • Sch. 6A applied by 1989 c. 3, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended) by 2022 c. 37 Sch. 8 para. 9(4)

[F162AOffences relating to applications for postal and proxy votesU.K.

(1)A person commits an offence if he—

(a)engages in an act specified in subsection (2) at a parliamentary or local government election, and

(b)intends, by doing so, to deprive another of an opportunity to vote or to make for himself or another a gain of a vote to which he or the other is not otherwise entitled or a gain of money or property.

(2)These are the acts—

(a)applying for a postal or proxy vote as some other person (whether that other person is living or dead or is a fictitious person);

(b)otherwise making a false statement in, or in connection with, an application for a postal or proxy vote;

(c)inducing the registration officer or returning officer to send a postal ballot paper or any communication relating to a postal or proxy vote to an address which has not been agreed to by the person entitled to the vote;

(d)causing a communication relating to a postal or proxy vote or containing a postal ballot paper not to be delivered to the intended recipient.

(3)In subsection (1)(b), property includes any description of property.

(4)In subsection (2) a reference to a postal vote or a postal ballot paper includes a reference to a proxy postal vote or a proxy postal ballot paper (as the case may be).

(5)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of such an offence is guilty of a corrupt practice.

(6)This section does not apply to anything done at a local government election in Scotland.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 62A applied (with modifications) (E.) (28.7.2007) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2089), regs. 8, 11, 13, {Sch. 4 Table 1}

C3S. 62A applied (with modifications) (W.) (24.7.2008) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Wales) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1848), reg. 8, {Sch. 4 para. 1 Table 1}

C4S. 62A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

C8S. 62A applied in part (with modifications) by The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/2031), reg. 17, Sch. 8 Table 1 (as inserted (E.W.) (6.4.2013) by S.I. 2013/798, regs. 1, 7, Sch. 3)

C9S. 62A applied (with modifications) (W.) (17.12.2021) by The Local Elections (Communities) (Wales) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/1460), rules 1, 6(1) (with rule 2)

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