Representation of the People Act 1983

[F110B.Register of electors in Northern Ireland: digital registration numberU.K.

[F2(1)Where a person meets the condition in subsection (1A) or the condition in subsection (1B), the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland shall allocate a unique reference number (a “digital registration number”) to the person if no such number has previously been allocated to that person.

(1A)A person meets the condition in this subsection if, following receipt of an application for registration made by the person in respect of an address in Northern Ireland and submitted through the UK digital service, the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person is entitled to be registered in the register.

(1B)A person meets the condition in this subsection if—

(a)in connection with a canvass under section 10 above, the form completed in respect of any address specifies the person as a person who is entitled to be registered in a register,

(b)the form is submitted through the UK digital service,

(c)section 10A(2) above does not apply, and

(d)following receipt of the form, the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person is entitled to be registered in the register.]

(2)Subsection (3) applies—

(a)where a digital registration number has been allocated to [F3a person] under subsection (1), F4...

[F5(b)where, following—

(i)an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service by a person to whom a digital registration number has previously been issued, or

(ii)(where section 10A(2) above does not apply) the submission of a form in connection with a canvass under section 10 above through the UK digital service by such a person,

the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person’s registration in the register is to be amended in accordance with the application or form, or]

[F6(c)where, following—

(i)an application for registration in respect of an address in Northern Ireland submitted through the UK digital service by a person to whom a digital registration number has previously been issued, or

(ii)the submission of a form in connection with a canvass under section 10 above through the UK digital service by such a person,

the Chief Electoral Officer determines that the person’s registration in the register is not to be amended in accordance with the application or form.]

(3)Where this subsection applies, the Chief Electoral Officer shall send the [F7person] a notification [F8by the appropriate method (see subsection (3A))] of the digital registration number allocated to that [F7person] together with an explanation of—

(a)the fact that the digital registration number is required for an application for an absent vote pursuant to section 6(1)(bba)(ii) or 7(1)(bba)(ii) of the Representation of the People Act 1985, and

(b)how a further notification of the digital registration number may be obtained if the [F7person] requires it.

[F9(3A)In subsection (3), “by the appropriate method” means—

(a)in a case falling within subsection (2)(a) or (b), by post;

(b)in a case falling within subsection (2)(c) —

(i)by post, or

(ii)if the person has given an email address in the application or form, by email to that address.]

(4)If, after a notification has been sent to a person under subsection (3) or a further notification issued under subsection (6), the person requires a further notification of the digital registration number the person may apply to the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for a further notification of the number.

(5)An application under subsection (4) must set out—

(a)the applicant’s—

(i)name,

(ii)date of birth, and

(iii)national insurance number or a statement that the applicant does not have one (giving the reason why), and

(b)the address in respect of which the applicant is, or has applied to be, registered.

(6)Where the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is satisfied that the information contained in an application under subsection (4) corresponds with the information held by the Chief Electoral Officer in relation to the applicant, the Chief Electoral Officer shall issue a further notification of the digital registration number to the applicant.

(7)A further notification under subsection (6) shall be issued by—

(a)giving it to the applicant in person, or

(b)sending it to the applicant—

(i)by post, or

(ii)if the applicant has given an email address in [F10an application or form mentioned in subsection (1A), (1B) or (2)], by email to that address.

(8)A notification or further notification by post pursuant to subsection (3) or (7)(b)(i) shall be sent—

(a)in the case of a person who is registered, or has made an application for registration, in pursuance of a service declaration, to the address given on the application form as the person’s present address or, if the Chief Electoral Officer is satisfied the applicant has moved to another address, to that address, or

(b)in any other case, to the address in respect of which the person is, or is entitled to be, registered.

(9)In this section, “the UK digital service” has the same meaning as in section 10ZF, and references to [F11a form or] an application for registration submitted through the UK digital service shall be construed in accordance with subsection (4) of that section.]