# The Local Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 Draft 2015, ISBN 9780111126677 This Order amends the forms used at local elections held in Northern Ireland for ballot papers, directions as to printing the ballot paper, declarations of identity, poll cards, postal poll cards, proxy poll cards, proxy postal poll cards, guidance for voters, certificates of employment, declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities, proxy papers, and declarations of identity at combined polls. This Order also removes the requirement for a witness to a declaration of identity to provide a name and address and defines who may act as a witness. Made under: Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000; Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Section 84) PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/draft-local-elections-forms-northern-ireland-order-2015/pdf/ukdsi_9780111126677_en.pdf; UK Draft Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/draft-local-elections-forms-northern-ireland-order-2015/pdf/ukdsiem_9780111126677_en.pdf ## Introductory text Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 84(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament. Northern Ireland Made *** Coming into force in accordance with Article 1(2) At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the *** day of *** Present, The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council In accordance with section 7(3) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Electoral Commission has been consulted prior to this Order being laid before Parliament. In accordance with section 84(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 a draft of this Order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. Accordingly, Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred on Her by section 84(1) and (1A) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order as follows: ## 1 Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation (1) This Order may be cited as the Local Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Order 2015. (2) This Order comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made. (3) This Order extends to Northern Ireland only. (4) In this Order “the 1962 Act” means the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962. ## 2 Amendment of the 1962 Act (1) Schedule 5 to the 1962 Act (local elections rules) is amended as follows. (2) In rule 21 (postal ballot papers), in paragraph (2) for the words “by another elector who personally knows the voter” substitute “in accordance with paragraph 17A of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985”. (3) In rule 26 (equipment of polling stations)— (a) in paragraph (6), for the words “left-hand” substitute “right-hand”; (b) in paragraph (7), for the word “left” substitute “right”; and (c) in paragraph (8), for the word “right” substitute “left”. (4) The Appendix of Forms is amended as follows. (5) Replace form 3 (ballot paper) with the form in Schedule 1 to this Order. (6) Replace form 4 (directions as to printing the ballot paper) with the form in Schedule 2 to this Order. (7) Replace form 5 (declaration of identity) with the form in Schedule 3 to this Order. (8) Replace form 6 (elector’s official poll card) with the form in Schedule 4 to this Order. (9) Replace form 6A (elector’s official postal poll card) with the form in Schedule 5 to this Order. (10) Replace form 7 (proxy’s official poll card) with the form in Schedule 6 to this Order. (11) Replace form 7A (proxy’s official postal poll card) with the form in Schedule 7 to this Order. (12) Replace form 8 (form of directions for the guidance of voters in voting) with the form in Schedule 8 to this Order. (13) Replace form 9 (form of certificate of employment) with the form in Schedule 9 to this Order. (14) Replace form 10 (form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities) with the form in Schedule 10 to this Order. ## 3 Amendment of the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (1) Schedule 2 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 is amended as follows. (2) In Part 1 (voting by post, by proxy and by post as proxy), in the Appendix, replace form 1 (Proxy paper) with the form in Schedule 11 to this Order. (3) In Part 3 (issue and receipt of postal ballot papers), in paragraph 17A (procedure in relation to declarations of identity)— (a) in paragraph (1)(a) omit the words “and given his name and address”; and (b) after paragraph (1) insert— “(1A) A person must not sign the declaration as a witness under paragraph (1)(a) unless he is— (a) aged 18 years or over; and (b) satisfied to the best of his knowledge and belief as to the identity of the voter.”. ## 4 Amendment of the Elections Act 2001 In paragraph 29 of the Schedule to the Elections Act 2001 (Northern Ireland: modification of election provisions), replace the form inserted by sub-paragraph (2) (form 5A declaration of identity (combined polls)) with the form in Schedule 12 to this Order. ## 5 Amendment of the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2013 In paragraph 23 of the Schedule to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 2013— (a) omit paragraphs (a) and (b) (and the word “and” after paragraph (b)); and (b) replace the form inserted by sub-paragraph (1)(c) (form 5ZA declaration of identity (combined polls)) with the form in Schedule 13 to this Order. ## Signature Richard Tilbrook Clerk of the Privy Council Date ## Schedule 1 Form 3 Form of front of ballot paper Form of back of ballot paper ## Schedule 2 Form 4 ## Schedule 3 Form 5 ## Schedule 4 Form 6 ## Schedule 5 Form 6A ## Schedule 6 Form 7 ## Schedule 7 Form 7A ## Schedule 8 Form 8 ## Schedule 9 Form 9 ## Schedule 10 Form 10 ## Schedule 11 Form 1 ## Schedule 12 Form 5A ## Schedule 13 Form 5ZA ## Explanatory note (This note is not part of the Order) This Order amends the forms used at local elections held in Northern Ireland for ballot papers, directions as to printing the ballot paper, declarations of identity, poll cards, postal poll cards, proxy poll cards, proxy postal poll cards, guidance for voters, certificates of employment, declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities, proxy papers, and declarations of identity at combined polls. This Order also removes the requirement for a witness to a declaration of identity to provide a name and address and defines who may act as a witness. An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen. --- Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2015/9780111126677 (the official version) Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-local-elections-forms-northern-ireland-order-2015 Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.