Explanatory note

This Order (which extends to Northern Ireland only) provides for the elections of delegates to be held under section 1 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations, etc.) Act 1996. Under article 4 of the Order, the date of the poll for the elections is 30th May 1996.

Paragraphs (1) and (2) of article 3 of the Order apply with the modifications set out in the right-hand columns of Schedules 1 and 2 to the Order the provisions of the Representation of the People Acts 1983 and 1985 and the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1986 which are listed in the left-hand columns of those Schedules. Section 3 (offences) of the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985, the Election Petition Rules 1964 and provisions of the Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 relating to election notices have also been applied. In addition to the specific modifications in Schedules 1 and 2, general modifications are made by paragraphs (5) to (9) of article 3.

Articles 6 and 8 supplement the provisions of Part I of Schedule 1 to the 1996 Act in respect of the return of regional delegates and the filling of vacancies. Article 7 provides for proceedings in respect of disqualification.