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Section 16 Foreign interference in electionsI1I2

United Kingdom

(1)

This section applies where—

(a)

a person commits a relevant electoral offence on or after the day on which this section comes into force, and

(b)

the foreign power condition F1or the designated body condition is met in relation to the conduct of the person which constitutes the offence (see F2sections 31 and 33B).

(2)

A “relevant electoral offence” is an offence listed in column 1 of the table in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (“the table”).

(3)

The person is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the specified maximum term or a fine (or both).

(4)

The specified maximum term is the term specified in column 2 of the table in relation to the relevant electoral offence.

(5)

Where an offence is found to have been committed over a period of 2 or more days, or at some time during a period of 2 or more days, it must be taken for the purposes of subsection (1) to have been committed on the first of those days.

(6)

Part 2 of Schedule 1 amends provisions relating to relevant electoral offences.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Words in s. 16(1)(b) inserted (8.7.2026) by National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 (c. 24), s. 7(1), Sch. para. 19(a)

F2

Words in s. 16(1)(b) substituted (8.7.2026) by National Security (State Threats) Act 2026 (c. 24), s. 7(1), Sch. para. 19(b)

Commencement

I1

S. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 100(1)

I2

S. 16 in force at 20.12.2023 by S.I. 2023/1272, reg. 2(a)