Representation of the People Act 1985

Schedule 1 (parliamentary elections rules)

73In Schedule 1 in rule 1 (timetable)—

(a)in the second column of the entry relating to polling (general elections) for the word " tenth " there shall be substituted the word " eleventh"; and

(b)in the third column of that entry (by-elections) for the words " eighth " and " tenth " there shall be substituted respectively the words " ninth " and " eleventh ".

74In Schedule 1 in rule 5—

(a)in paragraph (1) (publication of notice of election in the form in the Appendix) the words " in the form in the Appendix ", and

(b)paragraph (3) (registration officer to give additional notice of certain matters),

shall cease to have effect.

75In Schedule 1 at the end of rule 9 (deposit) there shall be added—

“(3)Where the deposit is made on behalf of the candidate, the person making the deposit shall at the time he makes it give his name and address to the returning officer (unless they have previously been given to him under section 67 of this Act or rule 6(1) above).”.

76In Schedule 1 in rule 19(2)(d) (under which the counterfoil to the ballot paper is to have the same number printed on the face as is printed on the ballot paper) for the words " on the face " there shall be substituted the words " on it".

77In Schedule 1 in rule 23 (notice of the poll)—

(a)in paragraph (2), paragraph (c) and the word " and" immediately preceding it shall cease to have effect and at the end there shall be inserted the words " and he shall as soon as practicable after giving such a notice give a copy of it to each of the election agents"; and

(b)paragraph (3) shall cease to have effect.

78In Schedule 1 in rule 24 (returning officer to send out postal ballot papers as soon as practicable) after the word "practicable" there shall be inserted the words " and in no event later than any date which may be prescribed as the last date for the purpose".

79In Schedule 1 in rule 29(5) (alternative forms of notice to be exhibited in compartments at polling stations) for the words from " a notice" onwards there shall be substituted the words " the notice 'Vote for one candidate only. Put no other mark on the ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.'".

80In Schedule 1 for rule 31 there shall be substituted—

“Notification of requirement of secrecy

31The returning officer shall make such arrangements as he thinks fit to ensure that—

(a)every person attending at a polling station (otherwise than for the purpose of voting or assisting a blind voter to vote or as a constable on duty there) has been given a copy in writing of the provisions of subsections (1), (3) and (6) of section 66 of this Act; and

(b)every person attending at the counting of the votes (other than any constable on duty at the counting) has been given a copy in writing of the provisions of subsections (2) and (6) of that section.”.

81In Schedule 1 in rule 37(1)(b) for the words "name and description " there shall be substituted the words " and name".

82In Schedule 1 in rule 45 (the count) for paragraph (1) there shall be substituted—

“(1)The returning officer shall—

(a)in the presence of the counting agents open each ballot box and count and record the number of ballot papers in it;

(b)in the presence of the election agents verify each ballot paper account; and

(c)count such of the postal ballot papers as have been duly returned and record the number counted.

(1A)The returning officer shall not count the votes given on any ballot papers until—

(a)in the case of postal ballot papers, they have been mixed with the ballot papers from at least one ballot box, and

(b)in the case of ballot papers from a ballot box, they have been mixed with the ballot papers from at least one other ballot box.”.

83In Schedule 1 in rule 53—

(a)in paragraph (2) (return of deposit) for the words " as soon as practicable after" there shall be substituted the words " not later than the next day after that on which " ;

(b)after that paragraph there shall be inserted—

“(2A)For the purposes of paragraph (2) above—

(a)a day shall be disregarded if it would be disregarded under rule 2 above in computing any period of time for the purposes of the timetable for an election of the kind in question ; and

(b)the deposit shall be treated as being returned on a day if a cheque for the amount of the deposit is posted on that day.”.

84In Schedule 1 in the Appendix of forms the form of the front of a ballot paper shall be amended by the insertion at the top of the words " VOTE FOR ONE CANDIDATE ONLY " in large capitals.

85In Schedule 1 in the Appendix of forms in the directions as to printing the ballot paper—

(a)in paragraph 2(a), after the word " except" there shall be inserted the words " the direction " VOTE FOR ONE CANDIDATE ONLY " and " ;

(b)in paragraph 2(b) after the word " except" there shall be inserted the words " the horizontal rule separating the direction mentioned in paragraph (a) above from the particulars of the candidates and " ;

(c)in paragraph 2(c) for the words from " the candidates " onwards there shall be substituted the words " the direction mentioned in paragraph (a) above and each of the candidates by the horizontal rules mentioned in paragraph (b) above"; and

(d)after paragraph 2 there shall be inserted—

“2AThe direction mentioned in paragraph 2(a) above shall be printed in large capitals.”.

86In Schedule 1 in the Appendix of forms, for the form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting there shall be substituted—

“Form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting

Guidance for Voters

1When you are given a ballot paper make sure it is stamped with the official mark.

2Go to one of the compartments. Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the name of the candidate you are voting for.

3Fold the ballot paper in two. Show the official mark to the presiding officer, but do not let anyone see your vote. Put the ballot paper in the ballot box and leave the polling station.

4Vote for one candidate only. Put no other mark on the ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.

5If by mistake you spoil a ballot paper, show it to the presiding officer and ask for another one.”.