Article 39 Registered political party at an ordinary election: payment of expenses by or through election agent, registered nominating officer, etc.

(1)

Except as permitted by article 41, or under article 51 or 52, no payment and no advance or deposit shall be made at any time in respect of election expenses of a registered political party at an ordinary election unless made in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2)

No such payment, advance or deposit shall be made—

(a)

by any or all of a group of party list candidates,

(b)

by any agent on behalf of such candidates, or

(c)

by any other person,

otherwise than—

(i)

by or through such candidates' election agent, or

(ii)

by the registered nominating officer of the party or by any other person in accordance with arrangements for which the registered nominating officer is responsible.

(3)

Every payment made under paragraphs (1) and (2) in respect of any election expenses shall, except where less than £20, be vouched for by a bill stating the particulars and by a receipt.

(4)

The reference in paragraph (a) to an election agent shall be taken as a reference to the election agent acting by himself or by a sub-agent.

(5)

All money provided by any person other than—

(a)

by any or all of a group of party list candidates, or

(b)

by the registered nominating officer of a registered political party or by such other person as is mentioned in paragraph (2)(ii),

for any election expenses of a registered political party at an ordinary election, whether as gift, loan, advance or deposit, shall be paid in accordance with paragraph (6).

(6)

Such a gift, loan, advance or deposit shall be paid to—

(a)

any or all of a group of party list candidates or their election agent, or

(b)

the registered nominating officer of the party or such other person as is mentioned in paragraph (2)(ii),

and not otherwise.

(7)

The foregoing provisions of this article shall not be deemed to apply to any sum disbursed by any person out of his own money for any small expense legally incurred by him if the sum is not repaid to him.

(8)

A person who makes any payment, advance or deposit in contravention of paragraphs (1) and (2), or pays in contravention of paragraphs (5) and (6) any money so provided as mentioned, shall be guilty of an illegal practice.