Section 3 Ordinary general electionsI1
United Kingdom
The poll at an ordinary general election is to be held on the first Thursday in May in the F1fourth calendar year following that in which the previous ordinary general election was held, F2unless—
subsection (1A) prevents the poll being held on that day, or
the day of the poll is determined by a proclamation under section 4.
Where subsection (1A) prevents the poll being held on the day specified in subsection (1), the poll is to be held on such day, subject to subsection (1A), as the Welsh Ministers may by order specify unless the day of the poll is determined by a proclamation under section 4(2) as modified by section 4(2A).
If the poll is to be held on the first Thursday in May F6 or on the day specified by an order under subsection (1B) , the F7Senedd —
is dissolved by virtue of this section at the beginning of the minimum period which ends with that day, and
must meet within the period of F8fourteen days beginning immediately after the day of the poll.
In subsection (2) “the minimum period” means the period determined in accordance with an order under section 13.
In calculating any period of days for the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the following days are to be disregarded—
Saturday and Sunday,
any day which is a bank holiday in Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80), and
any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.
No order is to be made under subsection (1B) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Senedd.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Word in s. 3(1) substituted (coming into force on the day after the day of the poll for the first general election held after 7.11.2025) by Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (asc 4), ss. 3(1), 25(3) (with s. 24(3)(4))
- F2
Words in s. 3(1) substituted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 6(2), 71(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(b)
- F3
S. 3(1A)(1B) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 6(3), 71(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(b)
- F4
Words in s. 3(1A)(a) omitted (24.3.2022) by virtue of Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), s. 6(3), Sch. para. 19
- F5
S. 3(1A)(b) and word omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (c. 16), s. 25(4), Sch. 3 para. 28 (with s. 19, Sch. 8 para. 37); S.I. 2020/1622, reg. 3(l) (with regs. 10, 22)
- F6
Words in s. 3(2) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 6(4), 71(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(b)
- F7
Words in Act substituted (6.5.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(19) (with Sch. 1 para. 2(11)-(14))
- F8
Word in s. 3(2)(b) substituted (coming into force on the day of the first Senedd election at which the poll is held on or after 5.4.2021) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), ss. 36(1), 42(5)
- F9
S. 3(5) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 6(5), 71(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(b)
Modifications
- C1
S. 3(1) modified (15.9.2011) by Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), ss. 5(2), 7(2) (with s. 6)
- C2
S. 3(1) modified (17.3.2021) by Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Act 2021 (asc 2), ss. 2(2), 6, 18 (with s. 13)
- C3
S. 3(2)-(4) excluded (17.3.2021) by Welsh Elections (Coronavirus) Act 2021 (asc 2), ss. 2(1), 18 (with s. 13)
Commencement
- I1
Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))
Notes on Part 1
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in Pt. 1 heading substituted (6.5.2020) by Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1), s. 42(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(2)
Modifications
- C1
Pt. 1 modified (16.2.2011) by Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 (c. 1), ss. 13(5), 19(1)