Paragraph 36 Voting by persons with disabilitiesF1

If a voter makes an application to the presiding officer to be allowed, on the grounds of—

to vote with the assistance of another person by whom he is accompanied (in these rules referred to as the companion), the presiding officer shall require the voter to declare, orally or in writing, whether he is so incapacitated by his blindness or F3other disability, or by his inability to read, as to be unable to vote without assistance.

F4Subject to paragraph (2A), if the presiding officer—

Paragraphs (2) to (7) of rule 34 shall apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) as they apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 34(1), but F6but as if—

For the purposes of these rules, a person is a voter with disabilities if he has made such a declaration as is mentioned in paragraph (1) above, F7....

The name and number in the register of electors of every voter whose vote is given in accordance with this rule and the name and address of the companion shall be entered on a list (in these rules referred to as the list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions).

In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13BA(9) of the 1983 Act, paragraph (4) applies as if for “in the register of electors of every voter” there were substituted “relating to every voter in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13BA(9) of the 1983 Act”.

The same list may be used for each election.

If it is, an entry in the list must be taken to mean that the votes were given in accordance with this rule in respect of each election unless the list identifies the election at which the vote was so given.

The declaration made by the companion—

No fee or other payment shall be charged in respect of the declaration.