Section 36 : Assistance by Commission for existing registered parties
92.Section 36 enables the Commission to provide financial and other assistance to existing registered parties to help them meet the initial costs involved in complying with the provisions of Parts III and IV. Up to £700,000, in aggregate, may be allocated to existing registered parties whether in grants or benefits in kind (for example, a computer software programme for recording donations). The method of apportioning this sum to parties will be determined by the Commission in accordance with a scheme prepared by them.
Clauses 37 to 40 : Supplemental
93.Sections 37 and 39 re-enact sections 14 and 19 of the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 respectively. They prevent broadcasters from transmitting a party political broadcast on behalf of a party which is not a registered party, and make it a criminal offence for any person knowingly or recklessly to provide the Electoral Commission with a false statement for the purpose of this Part of the Act. Section 38 makes consequential amendments to the parliamentary elections rules set out in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983. Section 39 defines terms used in Part II. The section re-enacts, with modifications, the interpretation section (section 22) of the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998.
