Explanatory note

This Order amends the Parliamentary Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1105) (“the 2005 Order”), which prescribes Welsh versions of certain forms or forms of words which may be used at parliamentary elections in Wales. This Order prescribes Welsh versions of the words “spouse” and “civil partner” in substitution for the words “husband” and “wife” in the 2005 Order.

The amendments are consequential upon the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33) (“the Act”). The Act enables same-sex couples to form a civil partnership by registering as civil partners of each other (and certain overseas relationships registered abroad may be treated as civil partnerships).

Other consequential amendments to secondary legislation concerning parliamentary and other elections have been made by the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Amendments to Subordinate Legislation) Order 2005^f1 under powers conferred by section 259 of the Act. However, because the 2005 Order came into force after the Act received Royal Assent, the amendments in this Order could not be made under those powers.