Part IU.K. The Electoral Commission

Commission’s general functionsU.K.

[F19ASetting of performance standardsU.K.

(1)The Commission may from time to time—

(a)determine standards of performance for relevant officers [F2mentioned in subsection (2)], and

(b)publish, in such form and in such manner as they consider appropriate, the standards so determined.

(2)The standards of performance are such standards as the Commission think ought to be achieved by—

(a)electoral registration officers in the performance of their functions;

(b)returning officers in the administration of the elections specified in subsection (6);

(c)counting officers in the administration of the referendums specified in subsection (7).

(3)Before determining standards under subsection (1), the Commission must consult—

(a)the Secretary of State, and

(b)any other person they think appropriate.

(4)The Commission may determine different standards for different descriptions of relevant officers.

(5)When the Commission publish standards under subsection (1) they must send a copy of the published standards to the Secretary of State who must lay a copy of the published standards before each House of Parliament.

[F3(5A)In relation to electoral registration officers for areas in Wales, the reference to their functions in subsection (2)(a) is a reference to their functions in relation to registers of parliamentary electors.]

[F4(5A)But subsections (3) and (5) do not apply in relation to standards relating to—

(a)Scottish Parliamentary general elections,

(b)elections held under section 9 of the Scotland Act 1998 (constituency vacancies), or

(c)local government elections in Scotland.]

(6)The elections specified in this subsection are—

(a)an election mentioned in section 5(2) [F5other than one mentioned in paragraph (d) of that subsection];

(b)a parliamentary by-election;

(c)an election under section 9 of the Scotland Act 1998 (constituency vacancies);

F6(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F7(da)an election under section 51 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (election to fill vacancy in office of police and crime commissioner);]

(e)a local government election in England F8....

[F9(f)a local government election in Scotland.]

(7)The referendums specified in this subsection are—

(a)a referendum to which Part 7 applies;

(b)[F10a referendum under Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000.]

(8)For the purposes of this section and sections [F119AA,] 9B and 9C, the relevant officers are—

(a)electoral registration officers;

(b)in relation to elections within subsection (6) [F12or section 9AA(6) ], returning officers;

(c)in relation to referendums within subsection (7) [F13 or section 9AA(7)], counting officers.]