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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

	A. Issue of postal ballot papers	Number for voting area
	1. Total number of postal ballot papers issued under paragraph
	7 of Schedule 4
	2. Total number of postal ballot papers issued under paragraph
	13 of Schedule 4 (spoilt and returned for cancellation) and
	paragraph 14 of Schedule 4 (lost or not received)
	3. Total number of postal ballot papers cancelled under
	paragraph 22 of Schedule 4 (where the first ballot paper was
	cancelled and retrieved)
	4. Total number of postal ballot papers issued (1 to 3)

	B.(1) Receipt of and replacement ballot papers	Number for voting area
	5. Number of covering envelopes received by the constituency
	returning officer or at a polling station before the close of poll
	(excluding any undelivered or returned under paragraph 13(1)
	(spoilt), paragraph 14(1) (lost) and paragraph 22 (cancelled
	ballot papers) of Schedule 4)
	6. Number of covering envelopes received by the constituency
	returning officer after the close of poll, excluding any returned
	as undelivered
	7. Number of postal ballot papers returned spoilt for
	cancellation in time for another ballot paper to be issued
	8. Number of postal ballot papers replaced as lost or not
	received, but not returned for cancellation
	9. Number of postal ballot papers cancelled and retrieved in
	time for another ballot paper to be issued
	10. Number of postal ballot papers returned as spoilt too late
	for another ballot paper to be issued
	11. Number of covering envelopes returned as undelivered (up
	to the 10th day after the date of poll)
	12. Number of covering envelopes not received by the
	constituency returning officer (by the 10th day after the date
	of poll)
	13. Total numbers 5 to 12 (this should be the same as that in 4
	above)

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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

	B.(2) Receipt of postal ballot papers - Personal Identifiers	Number for voting area
	14. Number of covering envelopes set aside for the
	verification of personal identifiers on postal voting statements
	15. Number of postal voting statements not subject to
	verification procedure rejected as not completed (excluding
	prior cancellations)
	16. Number of postal voting statements subject to verification
	procedure rejected as not completed (excluding prior
	cancellations)
	17. Number of postal voting statements rejected following
	verification procedures due to the personal identifiers on the
	postal voting statement not matching those in the personal
	identifiers record (excluding prior cancellations)

	C. Count of postal ballot papers	Number for voting area
	18. Number of ballot papers returned by postal voters which
	were included in the count of ballot papers
	19. Number of cases in which a covering envelope or its
	contents were marked “Rejected” (cancellations under
	paragraphs 13, 14 and 22 of Schedule 4 are not rejections and
	should be included in items 2, 3, 7 and 9 above)

	Date ...........................................................	Signed.......................................
		Counting Officer
	Address ................................................................................................................................
	..............................................................................................................................................
	NOTE
	The references to Schedule 4 are references to Schedule 4 to the Scottish Parliament
	(Elections etc.) Order 2007 as applied by the Parliamentary Voting System and
	Constituencies Act 2010.’.

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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

The Deputy Prime Minister

NS5

To move the following Schedule:—

‘Combination of polls: Northern Ireland

Part 1

Provision about combination

General provisions

Interpretation

1    (1)

An election the poll for which is, under section [Combination of polls](4), to

be taken together with the poll for the referendum is referred to in this Schedule

as a “relevant election”.

(2)	The polls to be taken together are referred to in this Schedule as “combined

polls”.

2	In this Schedule—

“Assembly election” means an election to the Northern Ireland Assembly;

“Assembly Elections Rules” means the parliamentary elections rules as

applied for the purposes of Assembly elections by Article 3(1) of, and

Schedule 1 to, the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001

(S.I. 2001/2599);

“Chief Electoral Officer” means the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern

Ireland;

“counting agent” means a counting agent for the referendum or a counting

agent for a relevant election (except where one or other is specified);

“local election” has the meaning given in section 130(1) of the Electoral

Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962;

“Local Elections Rules” means the rules set out in Schedule 5 to the

Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962.

Cost of combined polls

3	The cost of taking the combined polls (excluding any cost solely attributable

to the referendum or to a particular relevant election), and any cost attributable

to their combination, is to be apportioned equally among them.

Publication of statement of persons nominated

4    (1)

The statement of persons nominated at the relevant elections 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 Assembly Elections Rules;

(b)	rule 1 of the Local Elections Rules.

Directions by Chief Counting Officer to Chief Electoral Officer

5    (1)

The reference in paragraph 3(5)(a) of Schedule 1 to a counting officer’s

functions includes (subject to sub-paragraph (5)) the functions of the Chief

Electoral Officer that are conferred by—

(a)	the relevant provisions of the Assembly Elections Rules;

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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

(b)	the relevant provisions of the Local Elections Rules;

(c)	paragraph 32(1), (2)(b) and (6) below.

(2)	The reference in paragraph 3(5)(b) of that Schedule to information that a

counting officer has or is entitled to have includes information that the Chief

Electoral Officer has, or is entitled to have, by virtue of exercising those

functions.

(3)	The relevant provisions of the Assembly Elections Rules are—

(a)	rule 19A (corresponding number list);

(b)	rule 23(2) (notice of situation of polling stations etc);

(c)	rule 24 (postal ballot papers);

(d)	rule 25 (provision of polling stations);

(e)	in rule 26 (appointment of presiding officers and clerks), paragraph (1)

to the extent that it concerns the appointment of presiding officers and

clerks to assist them, and paragraph (2);

(f)	rule 29 (equipment of polling stations);

(g)	rule 31(a) (notification of requirement of secrecy at polling stations);

(h)	rule 31A (return of postal ballot papers);

(i)	rule 32(3) (certificate as to employment);

(j)	rule 33(2)(b) (authorisation to remove person from polling station).

(4)	The relevant provisions of the Local Elections Rules are—

(a)	rule 20(2) (notice of situation of polling stations etc);

(b)	rule 21 (postal ballot papers);

(c)	rule 22 (provision of polling stations);

(d)	in rule 23 (appointment of presiding officers and clerks), paragraph (1)

to the extent that it concerns the appointment of presiding officers and

clerks to assist them, and paragraph (2);

(e)	rule 26 (equipment of polling stations);

(f)	rule 28(a) (notification of requirement of secrecy at polling stations);

(g)	rule 29(3) (certificate as to employment);

(h)	rule 30(2)(b) (authorisation to remove person from polling station).

(5)	Functions of the Chief Electoral Officer conferred by—

(a)	rule 19A of the Assembly Elections Rules to the extent that it relates

to ballot papers issued in pursuance of rule 24(1) of those rules,

(b)	rule 24 or 31A of the Assembly Elections Rules,

(c)	rule 21 of the Local Elections Rules, or

(d)	paragraph 32(2)(b) below,

fall within sub-paragraph (1) only 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.

Forms

6	Forms 2, 3, 5 and 6 in Part 2 of this Schedule are “relevant forms” for the

purposes of rule 9A of the referendum rules.

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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

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 2

of this Schedule—

(a)	rule 6 of the referendum rules;

(b)	rule 19A of the Assembly 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.

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 16(1) of the referendum rules;

(b)	rule 29(1) of the Assembly Elections Rules.

(3)	The list must be in the form set out in Form 1 in Part 2 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.

(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 10(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.

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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

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 2 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 11(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 2 of this Schedule.

(3)	This paragraph applies instead of the requirement in rule 11(1)(c) of the

referendum rules for a declaration of identity to be in a particular form.

Colour of ballot papers

12	The ballot papers used for the referendum and for each relevant election must

be of a different colour.

Polling stations

13	The 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 4 in Part 2

of this Schedule—

(a)	rule 16(3)(d) of the referendum rules;

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

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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

(2)	In that case, this paragraph applies instead of the second sentence in rule 16(3)

of the referendum rules.

Ballot paper displayed in polling stations

17  (1)

The large version of the ballot paper displayed inside the polling station under

rule 16(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 16 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 16(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 5

in Part 2 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 16(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.

The poll

Admission to the polling station

19  (1)

Rule 20(1) of the referendum rules has effect as if the persons listed there

included persons who would be entitled to be admitted to the polling station

for any relevant election if the poll for that election were held on its own.

---

Revised 19 October 2010