Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011

Action to be taken before poll

Corresponding number lists

7(1)This paragraph applies where the Chief Electoral Officer decides that the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of the referendum and the relevant elections are to be taken together.

(2)If the Chief Electoral 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 19A of the Assembly Elections Rules;

(c)rule 16A of the Local Elections Rules.

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

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

(b)rule 19A(2) of the Assembly Elections Rules;

(c)rule 16A(2) of the Local Elections Rules.

8(1)This paragraph applies where the Chief Electoral Officer decides that the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of the referendum and the relevant elections are not to be taken together.

(2)If the Chief Electoral 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 29(1) of the Assembly Elections Rules;

(c)rule 26(1) of the Local Elections 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 19A of the Assembly Elections Rules;

(c)rule 16A of the Local Elections 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 polling stations

9(1)The 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 the relevant elections, and

(b)specify the constituency or district council for which each relevant election is to be held.

(2)The notice given under rule 23(2) of the Assembly Elections Rules must—

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

(b)state that the poll for the Assembly election is to be taken together with the poll for a local election, specifying the relevant district council.

(3)The notice given under rule 20(2) of the Local Elections Rules must—

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

(b)state that the poll for the local election is to be taken together with the poll for an Assembly election, specifying the relevant constituency.

Declarations of identity

10(1)This paragraph applies where the Chief Electoral Officer decides that the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of the referendum and the relevant elections are to be taken together.

(2)The declaration of identity to be issued to those entitled to vote by post in the referendum and in the relevant elections 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 declaration of identity to be in a particular form.

(4)The provisions are—

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

(b)rule 24(1)(c) of the Assembly Elections Rules;

(c)rule 21(1) of the Local Elections Rules.

11(1)This paragraph applies where the Chief Electoral Officer decides that the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of the referendum and the relevant elections are not to be taken together.

(2)The declaration of identity 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)(c) of the referendum rules for a declaration of identity to be in a particular form.

(4)The declaration of identity to be used by those entitled to vote by post in the Assembly election 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 24(1) of the Assembly Elections Rules for a declaration of identity to be in a particular form.

(6)The declaration of identity to be used by those entitled to vote by post in the local election must be in the form set out in Form 5 in Part 3 of this Schedule.

(7)Sub-paragraph (6) applies instead of the requirement in rule 21(1) of the Local Elections Rules for a declaration of identity to be in a particular form.

Colour of ballot papers

12The ballot papers used for the referendum and for each relevant election must be of a different colour.

Polling stations

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

Official poll cards

14(1)If the Chief Electoral Officer thinks fit, the official poll cards used for the referendum and 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.

Ballot boxes

15(1)If the Chief Electoral 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.

Form of corresponding number lists provided to polling stations

16(1)If the Chief Electoral Officer thinks fit, the lists to be provided under the following provisions may be combined in the form set out in Form 6 in Part 3 of this Schedule—

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

(b)rule 29(3)(e) of the Assembly Elections Rules;

(c)rule 26(3)(e) of the Local Elections Rules.

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

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

(b)rule 26(3ZC) of the Local Elections Rules.

Ballot paper displayed in polling stations

17(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 29(3A)(a) of the Assembly Elections Rules must be of the same colour as the ballot papers to be used for the Assembly election.

(3)The large version of the ballot paper displayed inside the polling station under rule 26(3A)(a) of the Local Elections Rules must be of the same colour as the ballot papers to be used for the local election.

Guidance to be exhibited outside and inside polling stations

18(1)Rule 17 of the referendum rules has effect as if—

(a)in paragraph (6), for “inside and outside every polling station” there were substituted “outside every polling station and in every compartment of every polling station”, and

(b)paragraph (7) were omitted.

(2)Rule 29 of the Assembly Elections Rules has effect as if—

(a)in paragraph (4), for “inside and outside every polling station” there were substituted “outside every polling station and in every compartment of every polling station”, and

(b)paragraph (5) were omitted.

(3)The notice referred to in rule 29(4) of the Assembly Elections Rules or rule 26(4) of the Local Elections Rules—

(a)must clearly indicate the election to which it relates, and

(b)must be on paper of the same colour as the ballot papers used for the election to which it relates,

and the notice referred to in rule 17(6) of the referendum rules must be on paper of the same colour as the ballot papers used for the referendum.

(4)If the Chief Electoral Officer thinks fit, 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—

(a)must be printed in conspicuous characters;

(b)must be exhibited outside every polling station and in every compartment of every polling station.

(5)In that case, paragraph (4) applies instead of—

(a)paragraphs (1) to (3);

(b)rule 17(6) and (7) of the referendum rules;

(c)rule 29(4) and (5) of the Assembly Elections Rules;

(d)rule 26(4) of the Local Elections Rules.