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Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 6 — Combination of polls: Wales
Part 2 — Application of provisions about issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

188

 
 

Provision

Modification

 
 

Paragraph 2 (combination of

For paragraph 2 substitute—

 
 

polls)

“2      

Combination of polls

 
  

Proceedings on the issue and

 
  

receipt of postal ballot papers in respect of

 

5

  

the Assembly elections and the referendum

 
  

may, if the constituency returning officer

 
  

and the counting officer think fit, be taken

 
  

together.”

 
 

Paragraph 3 (form of postal

Omit the whole paragraph.

 

10

 

voting statement)

  
 

Paragraph 4 (regional

Omit the whole paragraph.

 
 

elections)

  
 

Paragraph 5 (persons

For “constituency returning officer” substitute

 
 

entitled to be present at

“relevant returning or counting officer”.

 

15

 

proceedings on issue of

  
 

postal ballot papers)

  
 

Paragraph 6 (persons

For sub-paragraph (1) substitute—

 
 

entitled to be present at

(1)   

In a case where proceedings on the receipt of

 
 

proceedings on receipt of

postal ballot papers are taken together by

 

20

 

postal ballot papers)

virtue of paragraph 2, the only persons who

 
  

may be present at those proceedings are the

 
  

appropriate persons in relation to the

 
  

Assembly elections and the referendum.

 
  

(1A)   

In any other case, the only persons who may

 

25

  

be present at the proceedings on the receipt

 
  

of postal ballot papers—

 
  

(a)   

in respect of the Assembly elections,

 
  

are the appropriate persons in

 
  

relation to those elections;

 

30

  

(b)   

in respect of the referendum, are the

 
  

appropriate persons in relation to the

 
  

referendum.

 
 
 

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 6 — Combination of polls: Wales
Part 2 — Application of provisions about issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

189

 
 

Provision

Modification

 
  

(1B)   

The following are appropriate persons in

 
  

relation to the Assembly elections—

 
  

(a)   

the constituency returning officer

 
  

and his clerks;

 

5

  

(b)   

the regional returning officer;

 
  

(c)   

the candidates;

 
  

(d)   

the election agents;

 
  

(e)   

any person appointed by a

 
  

constituency candidate to attend in

 

10

  

his election agent’s place;

 
  

(f)   

any person appointed by an

 
  

individual candidate at the regional

 
  

election to attend in his election

 
  

agent’s place;

 

15

  

(g)   

any person appointed by the election

 
  

agent of a registered political party

 
  

standing nominated or by the

 
  

registered nominating officer of that

 
  

party to attend in the place of that

 

20

  

party’s election agent at the regional

 
  

election;

 
  

(h)   

any agents appointed under sub-

 
  

paragraph (2).

 
  

(1C)   

The following are appropriate persons in

 

25

  

relation to the referendum—

 
  

(a)   

the counting officer;

 
  

(b)   

the counting officer’s clerks;

 
  

(c)   

the referendum agents and any

 
  

agents appointed under sub-

 

30

  

paragraph (2).

 
  

(1D)   

This paragraph is without prejudice to

 
  

section 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D or 6E of the 2000

 
  

Political Parties Act.”

 
  

In sub-paragraphs (2) to (7), for “constituency

 

35

  

returning officer” (in each place) substitute

 
  

“relevant returning or counting officer”.

 
  

Omit sub-paragraph (4).

 
  

After sub-paragraph (7) insert—

 
  

“(7A)   

In relation to the referendum, in sub-

 

40

  

paragraph (2), (3), (5) or (8) a reference to a

 
  

candidate in a constituency election is to be

 
  

read as a reference to a referendum agent.”

 
  

In sub-paragraph (9), for “the candidates or their

 
  

agents” substitute “any persons mentioned in sub-

 

45

  

paragraphs (1B)(c) to (h) or (1C)(c)”.

 
 
 

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 6 — Combination of polls: Wales
Part 2 — Application of provisions about issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

190

 
 

Provision

Modification

 
 

Paragraph 7 (notification of

For paragraph 7 substitute—

 
 

requirement of secrecy)

“7      

Notification of requirements of secrecy

 
  

(1)   

In a case where proceedings on the issue and

 
  

receipt of postal ballot papers are taken

 

5

  

together by virtue of paragraph 2, the

 
  

counting officer shall make such

 
  

arrangements as he thinks fit to ensure that

 
  

every person attending the proceedings in

 
  

connection with the issue or receipt of postal

 

10

  

ballot papers has been given a copy in

 
  

writing of—

 
  

(a)   

the provisions of article 35(4) and (6);

 
  

and

 
  

(b)   

the provisions of subsections (4) and

 

15

  

(6) of section 66 of the 1983 Act as

 
  

they apply in relation to the

 
  

referendum.

 
  

(2)   

In any other case—

 
  

(a)   

the constituency returning officer

 

20

  

shall make such arrangements as he

 
  

thinks fit to ensure that every person

 
  

attending proceedings in connection

 
  

with the issue or receipt of postal

 
  

ballot papers for the Assembly

 

25

  

elections has been given a copy in

 
  

writing of the provisions of article

 
  

35(4) and (6);

 
  

(b)   

the counting officer shall make such

 
  

arrangements as he thinks fit to

 

30

  

ensure that every person attending

 
  

proceedings in connection with the

 
  

issue or receipt of postal ballot

 
  

papers for the referendum has been

 
  

given a copy in writing of the

 

35

  

provisions of subsections (4) and (6)

 
  

of section 66 of the 1983 Act as they

 
  

apply to the referendum.”

 
 

Paragraph 8 (time when

In sub-paragraph (1), after “voting statement”

 
 

postal ballot papers are to be

insert “for an Assembly election”.

 

40

 

issued)

  
 
 

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 6 — Combination of polls: Wales
Part 2 — Application of provisions about issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

191

 
 

Provision

Modification

 
  

After sub-paragraph (1) insert—

 
  

   “(1A)  

In the case of a person within entry 2, 3 or

 
  

4 of the table in paragraph 5(2) of

 
  

Schedule 3 to the Parliamentary Voting

 

5

  

System and Constituencies Act 2010 or

 
  

entry 2, 3 or 4 of the table in paragraph

 
  

8(6) of that Schedule (electors and proxies

 
  

entitled to vote by post for an indefinite or

 
  

definite period), no postal ballot paper

 

10

  

and postal voting statement for the

 
  

referendum shall be issued until after 5

 
  

pm on the eleventh day before the date of

 
  

the poll (computed in accordance with

 
  

paragraph 7(6) of Schedule 1 to this

 

15

  

Order).”

 
  

In sub-paragraph (2), omit “by the constituency

 
  

returning officer”.

 
 

Paragraph 9 (procedure on

In sub-paragraph (2), omit “Where an elector is

 
 

issue of postal ballot papers)

entitled to give two votes”.

 

20

  

For sub-paragraph (5) substitute—

 
  

“(5)   

Sub-paragraphs (5A) and (5B) apply

 
  

where—

 
  

(a)   

proceedings on the issue of postal

 
  

ballot papers are taken together by

 

25

  

virtue of paragraph 2; and

 
  

(b)   

a combined postal voters list or

 
  

proxy postal voters list is produced

 
  

by virtue of paragraph 32 of

 
  

Schedule 6 to the Parliamentary

 

30

  

Voting System and Constituencies

 
  

Act 2010.

 
  

(5A)   

In a case where a postal ballot paper is

 
  

issued at the same time in respect of the

 
  

Assembly elections and the referendum, a

 

35

  

single mark must be placed in the list under

 
  

sub-paragraph (3).

 
  

(5B)   

In any other case, a mark must be placed in

 
  

the list under sub-paragraph (3) identifying

 
  

the poll to which each postal ballot paper

 

40

  

issued relates.

 
  

(5C)   

Where proceedings on the issue of postal

 
  

ballot papers are taken together by virtue of

 
  

paragraph 2, the number of each postal

 
  

ballot paper issued shall be marked on the

 

45

  

postal voting statement under paragraph

 
  

(4).”

 
 
 

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 6 — Combination of polls: Wales
Part 2 — Application of provisions about issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

192

 
 

Provision

Modification

 
  

In sub-paragraph (6), for the words from the

 
  

beginning to “but” substitute “Where”.

 
  

In sub-paragraph (8)—

 
  

(a)   

after “sub-paragraph (7)” insert “in relation

 

5

  

to an Assembly election”;

 
  

(b)   

at the end insert—

 
  

   

“and, in relation to the referendum, the

 
  

items specified in sub-paragraph (7) must

 
  

be sent to the address to which postal ballot

 

10

  

papers should be sent as mentioned in

 
  

column 3 of the table in paragraph 5(2) or

 
  

8(6) of Schedule 3 to the Parliamentary

 
  

Voting System and Constituencies Act

 
  

2010.”

 

15

 

Paragraph 10 (refusal to

For “constituency returning officer” substitute

 
 

issue postal ballot papers)

“relevant returning or counting officer”.

 
  

After “election” insert “or the referendum”.

 
 

Paragraph 11 (envelopes)

In sub-paragraph (1)—

 
  

(a)   

for “constituency returning officer”

 

20

  

substitute “relevant returning or counting

 
  

officer”;

 
  

(b)   

after “Schedule 5” insert “or rule 12 of the

 
  

referendum rules”.

 
  

In sub-paragraph (2)—

 

25

  

(a)   

for “constituency returning officer”

 
  

substitute “relevant returning or counting

 
  

officer”;

 
  

(b)   

in paragraph (c), at the beginning insert

 
  

“unless the envelope has a window through

 

30

  

which the number on the ballot paper (or

 
  

ballot papers) can be displayed,”.

 
  

In sub-paragraph (3), for the words from the

 
  

beginning to “but” substitute “Where”.

 
 

Paragraph 12 (sealing up of

In sub-paragraph (1), for “constituency returning

 

35

 

completed corresponding

officer” substitute “relevant returning or counting

 
 

number lists)

officer”.

 
  

In sub-paragraph (2), for “returning officer”

 
  

substitute “relevant returning or counting officer”.

 
 

Paragraph 13 (delivery of

In sub-paragraph (1)—

 

40

 

postal ballot papers)

(a)   

for “constituency returning officer”

 
  

substitute “relevant returning or counting

 
  

officer”;

 
  

(b)   

in paragraph (c), after “Schedule 5” insert

 
  

“or rule 14 of the referendum rules”.

 

45

 
 

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 6 — Combination of polls: Wales
Part 2 — Application of provisions about issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

193

 
 

Provision

Modification

 
  

In sub-paragraph (2), for “constituency returning

 
  

officer” substitute “relevant returning or counting

 
  

officer”.

 
 

Paragraph 14 (spoilt postal

For “constituency returning officer” (in each place)

 

5

 

ballot papers)

substitute “relevant returning or counting officer”.

 
  

In sub-paragraph (2)(b), for “election” substitute

 
  

“poll”.

 
 

Paragraph 15 (lost postal

For “constituency returning officer” (in each place)

 
 

ballot papers)

substitute “relevant returning or counting officer”.

 

10

  

In sub-paragraph (3)(b), for “election” substitute

 
  

“poll”.

 
 

Paragraph 16 (notice of

In sub-paragraph (1)—

 
 

opening of postal ballot

(a)   

for “constituency returning officer”

 
 

paper envelopes)

substitute “relevant returning or counting

 

15

  

officer”;

 
  

(b)   

for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute “each

 
  

of the persons mentioned in sub-paragraph

 
  

(1A)”.

 
  

After sub-paragraph (1) insert—

 

20

  

“(1A)   

The persons are—

 
  

(a)   

in relation to the constituency

 
  

election, the candidates;

 
  

(b)   

in relation to the regional election,

 
  

the individual candidates and the

 

25

  

election agent for each registered

 
  

party standing nominated;

 
  

(c)   

in relation to the referendum, the

 
  

referendum agents.”

 
  

In sub-paragraph (2)(b), after “party” insert “or

 

30

  

referendum agent (as the case may be)”.

 
 
 

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill
Schedule 6 — Combination of polls: Wales
Part 2 — Application of provisions about issue and receipt of postal ballot papers

194

 
 

Provision

Modification

 
 

Return of postal ballot

After paragraph 16 insert—

 
 

papers etc

“16A    

Return of postal ballot papers etc

 
  

(1)   

A postal ballot paper shall not be taken to be

 
  

duly returned for the purposes of Part 1 of

 

5

  

Schedule 6 to the Parliamentary Voting

 
  

System and Constituencies Act 2010

 
  

unless—

 
  

(a)   

before the close of the poll—

 
  

(i)   

it is returned by hand or post

 

10

  

and reaches the relevant

 
  

returning or counting officer;

 
  

or

 
  

(ii)   

it is returned by hand to a

 
  

polling station in the

 

15

  

constituency or voting area

 
  

for which the officer acts;

 
  

(b)   

the postal voting statement duly

 
  

signed is, before that time, also

 
  

returned either—

 

20

  

(i)   

by hand or post and reaches

 
  

the relevant returning or

 
  

counting officer; or

 
  

(ii)   

by hand and reaches such a

 
  

polling station;

 

25

  

(c)   

the postal voting statement also

 
  

states the date of birth of the elector

 
  

or, as the case may be, proxy; and

 
  

(d)   

in a case where the relevant

 
  

returning or counting officer takes

 

30

  

steps to verify the date of birth and

 
  

signature of the elector or, as the case

 
  

may be, proxy in accordance with

 
  

paragraph 23 or, as the case may be,

 
  

paragraph 24, he so verifies the date

 

35

  

of birth and signature of that elector

 
  

or, as the case may be, proxy.

 
  

(2)   

The presiding officer of the polling station

 
  

shall deliver or cause to be delivered any

 
  

postal ballot paper or postal voting

 

40

  

statement returned to that polling station to

 
  

the relevant returning or counting officer in

 
  

the same manner and at the same time as he

 
  

delivers, or causes to be delivered, the

 
  

packets referred to in rule 53 of Schedule 5 or

 

45

  

rule 38 of the referendum rules.

 
 
 

 
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Revised 26 October 2010