Committee of the whole House: 25 October 2010

857

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

	You must provide your [# signature and] date of birth. If you do not, the postal voting
	statement will be invalid and your vote will not be counted.
	I AM THE PERSON THE BALLOT PAPER NUMBERED ABOVE WAS SENT TO
	Date of birth	DDMMYYYY	(voter’s date of birth)

	#Signature		(voter’s signature)
			IMPORTANT - Keep
			signature within border
	#(Counting officer to omit where a person has been granted a waiver)
	It is an offence to vote using a ballot paper that is not addressed to you.

	PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS TO THE VOTER
	Issued by the counting officer
	INSTRUCTIONS TO THE VOTER
	Complete the ballot paper yourself and in private. If you need help, contact the
	counting officer’s staff as shown below.
	[contact details for assistance; include address as appropriate]
	1.	You must provide your [#signature and] date of birth. You must do this even if you
		have already signed a postal voting statement in respect of the Scottish Parliament
		election which is to be held on the same day. If you do not, the postal voting
		statement will be invalid and your vote will not be counted.
	2.	Vote once only. Do not mark the ballot paper in any other way or your vote may not
		be counted.
	3.	Mark a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of the ballot paper opposite the
		answer you are voting for.
	4.	If you need help in voting, the person helping you must not tell anyone how you
		voted.
	5.	Put the ballot paper in the small envelope marked A and seal it.
	6.	Complete the postal voting statement by [#signing it, and] providing your date of
		birth.
	7.	Then put the envelope marked A together with the postal voting statement in the
		larger envelope marked B. Return it straightaway.
	8.	After receiving this postal vote, you cannot vote in person at a polling station in
		this referendum.
	9.	If you accidentally spoil your ballot paper, you can apply to the counting officer for
		a replacement before 5 pm on [day/date of poll]. You must return the spoilt ballot
		paper, the postal voting statement and the envelopes marked A and B. Make sure
		you contact the counting officer as soon as possible.
	!	Your ballot paper and the postal voting statement must be received by the counting
		officer by 10 pm on [day/date of poll]. You can deliver your completed postal vote
		to any polling station in your voting area on polling day.
	It is an offence to vote using a ballot paper that is not addressed to you.
	It is illegal to vote more than once (unless you are appointed as a proxy for another
	person) in this referendum.
	#(Counting officer to omit where a person has been granted a waiver)
	*Delete as appropriate

Committee of the whole House: 25 October 2010

858

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

Paragraph 11(4)

Form 4 - Form of postal voting statement (to be used for Scottish parliamentary

election where proceedings on issue and receipt of postal ballot papers not

combined)

	(Front of Form)
	*Voter’s name: .................................	Ballot paper Nos. .......................
		(insert colour)
	*(Returning Officer to insert name but omit where ballot papers sent to an anonymous
	elector)
		[other identifying mark]

	You must provide your [# signature and] date of birth. If you do not, the postal voting
	statement will be invalid and your vote will not count.
	I AM THE PERSON TO WHOM THE BALLOT PAPERS NUMBERED ABOVE
	WERE SENT
	Date of birth	DDMMYYYY	(voter’s date of birth)

Committee of the whole House: 25 October 2010

859

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

	#Signature		(voter’s signature)
			IMPORTANT - Keep
			signature within border
	#(Returning Officer to omit where a person has been granted a waiver)
	PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BACK OF THIS FORM

(Back of form)

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS

	Your vote is personal - complete the ballot papers yourself and in private. If you need
	help you can contact me (insert contact details of the constituency returning officer or
	a member of his staff).
	Electoral fraud is a crime. You must not vote using a ballot paper that is not
	addressed to you. You must not interfere with another voter’s ballot paper.
	1.	This statement relates to the ballot papers for the Scottish Parliament election only.
		You will receive your ballot paper and instructions for the referendum on the voting
		system for United Kingdom parliamentary elections separately. If you do not
		receive them soon, please contact me.
	2.	You must provide your [#signature and] date of birth even if you have already
		signed a postal voting statement in respect of the referendum on the voting system
		for United Kingdom parliamentary elections which is to be held on the same day.
	3.	You have two ballot papers (a constituency ballot paper coloured [insert colour] and
		a regional ballot paper coloured [insert colour]). Vote only once on each ballot
		paper. Vote by marking a cross (X) in the box opposite the name of the party or
		candidate you are voting for. Do not put any other marks on the ballot papers or your
		votes may not count.
	4.	Your vote is personal—complete it yourself and in private. If you need help voting,
		the person helping you must not tell anyone how you have voted.
	5.	Put the ballot papers for the Scottish Parliament elections in the small envelope
		marked “A” and seal it. Then put the envelope marked “A”, together with the postal
		voting statement, in the larger envelope marked “B”. Return the envelopes without
		delay. The ballot papers must be received at my office not later than the close of
		poll. Alternatively, the ballot papers can be delivered to any polling station in this
		constituency on polling day, up to 10 pm.
	6.	If you get more than one of each ballot paper, by accident, then use just one of each.
		Please remember that it is illegal to vote more than once in the same election (unless
		you are voting for someone else—by proxy).
	7.	At this election you cannot vote in person at a polling station.
	8.	If you make a mistake on a ballot paper, or lose a ballot paper or the return
		envelopes, you can ask for replacements. You should ask as soon as possible. There
		is not much time for a new ballot paper to be sent to you, returned and counted. You
		will need to return everything you have received from me (except anything you
		have lost). Items you should return if you have them include all ballot papers, the
		postal voting statement and the envelopes marked “A” and “B”.
	9.	I can issue another ballot paper if you ask me for it up to 5 pm on polling day, but
		unless I receive your request by 5 pm on the day before polling day I can only issue
		another ballot paper if you visit my office, with evidence of your identity.
	10.	For replacement papers, or if you need further help, please ring (insert telephone
		number) or contact my office at (insert address).
	!	Your ballot papers and the postal voting statement must be received by the counting
		officer by 10 pm on [day/date of poll]. You can deliver your completed postal votes
		to any polling station in your voting area on polling day.
	It is an offence to vote using a ballot paper that is not addressed to you.
	It is illegal to vote more than once in the constituency poll at the election (unless you
	are appointed as a proxy for another person).
	It is illegal to vote more than once in the regional poll at the election (unless you are
	appointed as a proxy for another person).
	#(Returning officer to omit where a person has been granted a waiver)

Committee of the whole House: 25 October 2010

860

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

Paragraph 19(1)

Form 5 - Form of corresponding number list (to be used in polling stations for

combined polls)

Voting area/constituency: ........................................

Date of Poll: .........................................

Polling Station: .....................................

Sheet No.: .............................................

	Ballot Paper Number (identify the	Elector Number
	number issued for the referendum/
	election)

Committee of the whole House: 25 October 2010

861

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

Paragraph 21(1)

Form 6 - guidance for voters to be exhibited outside and inside every polling

station

	1.	When you are given your ballot papers go to one of the compartments.
	2.	On the [insert colour] referendum ballot paper, mark a cross (X) in the box on the right
		hand side of the ballot paper opposite the answer you are voting for.
	3.	On the Scottish Parliament ballot papers, coloured [insert colour or colours], mark your
		choices with a cross (X) in the box on the right hand side of each ballot paper opposite the
		name of the candidate or party you are voting for. Put only one X on each ballot paper.
	4.	Vote once only in the referendum and on each ballot paper for the Scottish Parliament
		election. Put no other mark on the ballot paper, or your vote may not be counted.
	5.	If by mistake you spoil a ballot paper, show it to the presiding officer and ask for another
		one.
	6.	Fold each ballot paper in two. Show the presiding officer the number and other unique
		identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper, but do not let anyone see your vote. Put
		each ballot paper in the [appropriate]* ballot box and leave the polling station.
	* Complete or omit as necessary.

Paragraph 22(1)

Form 7 - guidance for voters to be exhibited in every polling station compartment

REFERENDUM ON THE VOTING SYSTEM FOR

UNITED KINGDOM PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Referendum ballot paper ([insert colour] ballot paper)

Votes cast in this poll will decide on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary

elections.

•  You have one vote on this paper.

•  You should place a cross (X) in one box only.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS

Constituency ballot paper ([insert colour] ballot paper)

Votes cast in this poll will decide the election of a member to represent your constituency in

the Scottish Parliament.

•  You have one vote on this paper.

•  You should place a cross (X) in one box only.

Regional ballot paper ([insert colour] ballot paper)

Votes cast in this poll will decide the allocation of the 7 additional seats in the Scottish

Parliament for this region. You may use this vote [either]* for a political party putting

forward a list of candidates [or for an individual candidate not standing on a party list]*.

You have one vote on this paper.

You should place a cross (X) in one box only.

PUT NO OTHER MARKS ON THE BALLOT PAPERS OR YOUR VOTES MAY NOT

BE COUNTED

* Omit as necessary.

Committee of the whole House: 25 October 2010

862

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

Paragraph 26(2)

Form 8 - Form of certificate of employment

Referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary elections

[insert name of voting area]

I certify that (name) ..................... who is numbered ................... in the register of electors

cannot reasonably be expected to go in person to the polling station allotted to him or her

in the referendum on (date of poll) ..................... by reason of the particular

circumstances of his or her employment on that date for a purpose connected with the

referendum *as a constable / *by me.

*Delete whichever is inappropriate.

Signature .................................................

*Counting officer / police officer (inspector or above)

Date ....................................

Note: The person named above is entitled to vote at any polling station in the voting area

specified above on production and surrender of this certificate to the presiding officer.

Committee of the whole House: 25 October 2010

863

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, continued

Paragraph 33(1)

Form 9 - Form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with

disabilities

I, ................................................................................................... (name of companion)

of .................................................................................................. (address of companion)

having been requested to assist ..................................................... (name of voter)

[in the case of a person with disabilities voting as proxy, add

voting as proxy for ........................................................................ (name of elector)]

whose name on the register is .................................................. to record their vote at the

[referendum]* [and]* [election(s)]* being held in this [voting area]* [/constituency]*

hereby declare that

(a)	[I am entitled to vote as an elector at the said [referendum]* [and]* [election]*,]*

(b)	[I am the #.................................. of the said voter and have attained the age of 18

years,]* and

(c)	I have not previously assisted any voter with disabilities [except ..........................

(name of other elector), of .......................... (address of other elector)], to vote at

the [referendum]* [or]* [election]*]*.

#State the relationship of the companion to the voter.

*Delete as appropriate.

(Signed) .......................................... (companion)

Date ................................................

I, the undersigned, being the presiding officer for the .............. polling station for ..............

the [insert name of voting area] hereby certify that the above declaration, having been first

read to the above-named declarant, was signed by the declarant in my presence.

(Signed)..........................................

Date ...............................................

Time ........................................ (am/pm)

NOTE: (1) If the person making the above declaration knowingly and wilfully makes

therein a statement false in a material particular, he or she will be guilty of an offence.

(2) A voter with disabilities is a voter who has made a declaration that he or she is so

incapacitated by blindness or other disability, or by an inability to read, as to be unable to

vote without assistance.

---

Revised 25 October 2010