Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011

Action to be taken before poll

Corresponding number lists

7(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are taken together by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Welsh Assembly Order.

(2)The function of the constituency returning officer under rule 27 of the Assembly Elections Rules is to be carried out by the counting officer.

(3)If the counting officer thinks fit, the lists 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 27 of the Assembly Elections Rules.

(4)In that case, sub-paragraph (3) applies instead of—

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

(b)rule 27(2) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

8(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are not taken together by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Welsh Assembly Order.

(2)The counting officer must prepare a list under sub-paragraph (3) or (4) as the officer thinks fit.

(3)A list under this sub-paragraph is a list containing the numbers and other unique identifying marks of all of the ballot papers to be provided to presiding officers in pursuance of rule 37(1) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

(4)A list under this sub-paragraph is a 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 37(1) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

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

(5)A list prepared under rule 27 of the Assembly Elections Rules must not include details relating to ballot papers in relation to which a list is prepared under sub-paragraph (3) or (4).

(6)A reference in an enactment to a list prepared under rule 27 of the Assembly Elections Rules has effect, in so far as it relates to ballot papers to be provided in pursuance of rule 37(1) of those rules, as a reference to the list prepared under sub-paragraph (3) or (4).

(7)Where the counting officer prepares a list under sub-paragraph (4) in relation to ballot papers—

(a)the list prepared under rule 6 of the referendum rules must not include details relating to those ballot papers;

(b)a reference in an enactment to a list prepared under rule 6 of the referendum rules has effect, in so far as it relates to ballot papers to be provided in pursuance of rule 17(1) of the referendum rules, as a reference to the list prepared under sub-paragraph (4).

Notice of polling stations

9(1)No later than the time of the publication of the notice of the polls, the counting officer must give public notice of—

(a)the situation of each polling station;

(b)the description of voters entitled to vote there.

(2)The notice must—

(a)state that the polls for the referendum, the Assembly constituency election and the Assembly regional election are to be taken together, and

(b)specify the relevant voting area, constituency and region.

(3)As soon as practicable after giving the notice the counting officer must give a copy of it to—

(a)each of the referendum agents appointed for the officer’s area;

(b)each of the election agents for the Assembly elections;

(c)the regional returning officer.

(4)This paragraph applies instead of—

(a)rule 11(3) and (4) of the referendum rules;

(b)rule 32(2) to (4) of the Assembly Elections rules.

Postal voting

10(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are taken together by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Welsh Assembly Order.

(2)The functions of the constituency returning officer under rule 33 of the Assembly Elections Rules are to be carried out by the counting officer.

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

(4)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.

(5)The provisions are—

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

(b)rule 33(1) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

11(1)This paragraph applies where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are not taken together by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Welsh Assembly Order.

(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)Sub-paragraph (2) 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.

(4)The form of postal voting statement to be issued to those entitled to vote in the Assembly elections must be in the form set out in Form 4 in Part 3 of this Schedule.

(5)Sub-paragraph (4) applies instead of the requirement in rule 33(1) of the Assembly Elections Rules for a postal voting statement to be in a particular form.

Polling stations

12The functions of the constituency returning officer under rule 34 of the Assembly Elections Rules are to be carried out by the counting officer.

13The referendum polling stations are to be used for the combined polls.

Appointment of presiding officers and clerks

14The functions of the constituency returning officer under the following paragraphs of rule 35 of the Assembly Elections Rules are to be carried out by the counting officer—

(a)paragraph (1) so far as it relates to the appointment of presiding officers and clerks;

(b)paragraph (3).

Official poll cards

15(1)If the counting officer thinks fit, the official poll cards used for the referendum and the Assembly elections may be combined.

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

Equipment of polling stations

16The functions of the constituency returning officer under rule 37 of the Assembly Elections Rules are to be carried out by the counting officer.

17(1)If the counting officer thinks fit, the same ballot box may be used at the polls for the referendum and the Assembly elections.

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

(a)the referendum or Assembly election to which it relates, and

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

(3)This paragraph applies instead of rule 37(2) and (3) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

Colour of ballot papers

18The ballot papers used for the referendum must be of a different colour from the ballot papers used for the Assembly elections.

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 5 in Part 3 of this Schedule—

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

(b)rule 37(5)(d) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

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

(a)the second sentence in rule 17(3) of the referendum rules;

(b)the requirement in rule 37(5)(d) of the Assembly Elections Rules to use a particular form.

Ballot paper displayed in polling stations

20(1)The 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.

(2)The large version of the ballot paper displayed inside the polling station under rule 37(7)(a) of the Assembly Elections Rules in respect of each Assembly election must be of the same colour as the ballot papers to be used for that election.

Guidance to be exhibited inside and outside polling stations

21(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 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 37(14) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

Guidance to be exhibited in each polling station compartment

22(1)A notice in the form set out in Form 7 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 37(15) and (16) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

Notice of appointment of polling and counting agents

23A notice required to be given to a constituency returning officer under rule 38(5), (6) or (7) of the Assembly Elections Rules is to be given to the counting officer.

Notification of requirement of secrecy

24The functions of the constituency returning officer under rule 39(a) of the Assembly Elections Rules are to be carried out by the counting officer.

Return of postal ballot papers

25Where proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers are taken together by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Welsh Assembly Order, the functions of the constituency returning officer under rule 40 of the Assembly Elections Rules are to be carried out by the counting officer.