Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011

Action to be taken before poll

Corresponding number lists

9(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are taken together by virtue of regulation 65 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001.

(2)If the counting officer thinks fit, the lists to be prepared under the following provisions may be combined in the form set out in Form 1 in Part 3 of this Schedule—

(a)rule 6 of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 17 of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 17 of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 8 of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 19 of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

(3)In that case, this paragraph applies instead of—

(a)rule 6(2) of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 17(2) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 17(2) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 8(3) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 19(2) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

10(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are not taken together by virtue of regulation 65 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001.

(2)If the counting officer thinks fit, the officer may prepare a single list containing the numbers and other unique identifying marks of all of the ballot papers to be provided to presiding officers in pursuance of the following provisions—

(a)rule 17(1) of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 26(1) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 26(1) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 17(1) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 28 of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

(3)The list must be in the form set out in Form 1 in Part 3 of this Schedule.

(4)If a list is prepared in relation to ballot papers under this paragraph, the list prepared under the following provisions must not include details relating to those ballot papers—

(a)rule 6 of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 17 of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 17 of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 8 of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 19 of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

(5)A reference in an enactment to a list prepared under a provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) has effect, in so far as it relates to ballot papers to be provided in pursuance of the provisions mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), as a reference to the list prepared under this paragraph.

Notice of poll

11(1)The notice of the poll for each relevant election must be published by not later than the 15th day before the date of the poll.

(2)The timetables set out in the following provisions are to be read with whatever modifications are necessary to give effect to sub-paragraph (1)—

(a)rule 1 of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(b)rule 1 of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 3 of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 3 the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

(3)Sub-paragraph (1) applies instead of rule 12(2) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules.

Notice of polling stations

12The notice given under rule 11(3) of the referendum rules must—

(a)state that the poll for the referendum is to be taken together with the poll for each relevant election,

(b)specify the local authority for which each relevant election is to be held, and

(c)where any of the polls are to be taken together in part only of a voting area for the referendum, specify that part.

Postal voting statements

13(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are taken together by virtue of regulation 65 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001.

(2)The form of postal voting statement to be issued to those who are entitled to vote by post in the referendum and in each relevant election must be in the form set out in Form 2 in Part 3 of this Schedule.

(3)Where that form is used, this paragraph applies instead of any requirement in the following provisions for a postal voting statement to be in a particular form.

(4)The provisions are—

(a)rule 12(1)(b) of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 22(1) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 22(1) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 13(1) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 24(1) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

14(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are not taken together by virtue of regulation 65 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001.

(2)The form of postal voting statement to be issued to those entitled to vote by post in the referendum must be in the form set out in Form 3 in Part 3 of this Schedule.

(3)This paragraph applies instead of the requirement in rule 12(1)(b) of the referendum rules for a postal voting statement to be in a particular form.

Colour of ballot papers

15The ballot papers used for the referendum must be of a different colour from the ballot papers used for any relevant election.

Polling stations

16(1)The referendum polling stations are to be used for the combined polls.

(2)This paragraph applies instead of—

(a)regulation 4 of the Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004 so far as it relates to polling stations;

(b)rule 14(2) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules.

Official poll cards

17(1)If the counting officer thinks fit, the official poll cards used for the referendum and for the relevant elections may be combined.

(2)In that case, the forms required to be used for official poll cards for the referendum and relevant elections must be adapted in whatever manner seems necessary.

(3)In sub-paragraph (1) “relevant election” does not include the election of a councillor of a parish council.

(4)This paragraph applies instead of—

(a)rule 25(6) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(b)rule 16(6) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 27(6) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

Ballot boxes

18(1)If the counting officer thinks fit, the same ballot box may be used at the polls for the referendum and the relevant elections.

(2)Where separate ballot boxes are used, each must be clearly marked to show—

(a)the poll to which it relates, and

(b)the colour of ballot papers that should be placed in it.

(3)This paragraph applies instead of—

(a)rule 26(2) and (7) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(b)rule 26(2) and (7) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 17(2) and (7) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 28(2) and (7) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

Form of corresponding number lists provided to polling stations

19(1)If the counting officer thinks fit, the lists to be provided under the following provisions may be combined in the form set out in Form 4 in Part 3 of this Schedule—

(a)rule 17(3)(d) of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 26(4)(d) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 26(4)(d) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 17(4)(d) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 28(4)(d) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

(2)In that case, this paragraph applies instead of the second sentence in rule 17(3) of the referendum rules.

Ballot paper displayed in polling stations

20The large version of the ballot paper displayed inside the polling station under rule 17(4)(a) of the referendum rules must be of the same colour as the ballot papers to be used for the referendum.

Guidance to be exhibited inside and outside polling stations

21(1)A notice in the form set out in Form 5 in Part 3 of this Schedule, giving directions for the guidance of voters in voting, must be printed in conspicuous characters and exhibited inside and outside every polling station.

(2)This paragraph applies instead of—

(a)rule 17(6) of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 26(8) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 26(8) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 17(8) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 28(8) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

Guidance to be exhibited in each polling station compartment

22(1)A notice in the form set out in Form 6 in Part 3 of this Schedule, giving directions for the guidance of voters in voting, must be exhibited in every compartment of every polling station.

(2)This paragraph applies instead of—

(a)rule 17(7) of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 26(10) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 26(10) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(d)rule 17(10) of the Local Referendums (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(e)rule 28(10) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

Notice of appointment of polling and counting agents

23(1)A notice required to be given to a returning officer for a relevant election under any of the following provisions is to be given instead to the counting officer for the voting area in which the relevant election is to be held—

(a)rule 27(5), (7) or (8) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(b)rule 27(5) or (7) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 29(7), (9) or (10) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.

(2)This paragraph applies instead of—

(a)rule 27(6) of the Local Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(b)rule 27(6) of the Parish Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules;

(c)rule 29(8) of the Mayoral Elections (Combination of Polls) Rules.