OpenLegislation

Explanatory note

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations makes a change to the list of the types of photographic identification which can be used by a person wishing to—

  • vote in person at a polling station at UK Parliamentary elections in Great Britain, Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales, and at mayoral elections and local referendums in England;

  • sign a recall petition in person at a petition signing place for a petition held in Great Britain under the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (c. 25).

Regulation 2 amends the list set out in rule 37(1H) to (1J) of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2). Regulation 2(2)(a) varies the description in paragraph (1H)(b) to include passport cards and also to replace the reference to “Commonwealth country” with a reference to the list of countries in Schedule 3 to the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61) whose citizens are commonwealth citizens and are entitled to vote at parliamentary or local government elections as a result.

Regulation 2(2)(b) adds the Ministry of Defence Veteran Card to the list in rule 37(1H). It also, together with regulation 2(3), moves the Scottish National Entitlement Card from the definition of “relevant concessionary travel pass” in rule 37(1J) to the main list in rule 37(1H) so that all variations of the National Entitlement Card can be used for voting irrespective of whether a card provides concessionary travel.

Regulations 3 to 9, 11 and 12 amend secondary legislation to replace the prescribed form of the poll card and proxy poll card used in relation to the various types of elections and referendums, in order to update the list of acceptable identification shown on the card as a result of the amendment made by regulation 2. Regulation 10 makes equivalent changes to the prescribed forms of the official petition notices issued to electors and to proxies in relation to recall petitions held in England, Wales or Scotland.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.