{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/representation-of-the-people-act-1983/schedule-1/paragraph-31",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/representation-of-the-people-act-1983/schedule-1/paragraph-31.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1983/2",
  "legislation_title": "Representation of the People Act 1983",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/representation-of-the-people-act-1983",
  "path": "schedule/1/paragraph/31",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "31",
  "heading": null,
  "text": "(1) The returning officer shall make such arrangements as he thinks fit to ensure that—\n(a) every person attending at a polling station (otherwise than for the purpose of voting or assisting a relevant voter to vote or as a constable on duty there) has been given a copy in writing of the provisions of subsections (1), (3) and (6) of section 66 of this Act; and\n(b) every person attending at the counting of the votes (other than any constable on duty at the counting) has been given a copy in writing of the provisions of subsections (2) and (6) of that section.\n(1A) In paragraph (1)(a) “relevant voter” means a voter who is blind, has another disability, or is unable to read.\n(2) In the application of this rule to an election in England or Wales, a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer or community support volunteer under section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (police powers for employees or volunteers).",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31 substituted by Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50, SIF 42), s. 24, Sch. 4 para. 80"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31 renumbered as Sch. 1 rule 31(1) (6.4.2014) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), ss. 21(1), 27(1); S.I. 2014/414, art. 3(e) (with art. 4)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 1 rule 31(1)(a) substituted (12.12.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 7(6)(a), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1234, reg. 2(c) (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31(1A) inserted (12.12.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 7(6)(b), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1234, reg. 2(c) (with reg. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31(2) inserted (6.4.2014) by Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 (c. 6), ss. 21(1), 27(1); S.I. 2014/414, art. 3(e) (with art. 4)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F6",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 1 para. 31(2) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 15.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 12 para. 6(2)(a); S.I. 2017/1139, reg. 2(k) (as amended by S.I. 2017/1162, reg. 2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F7",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 1 para. 31(2) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 15.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 12 para. 6(2)(b); S.I. 2017/1139, reg. 2(k) (as amended by S.I. 2017/1162, reg. 2)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31 applied with modifications (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C2",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31 applied with modifications (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)–(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C3",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(b)(5)-(8), Sch. 1Sch. 1 para. 31 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (25.4.1998) by S.I. 1998/1126, art. 6, Sch. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C4",
      "text": "Sch. 1 rule 31 applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by 1997 c. 61, s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 13 Table 2Sch. 1 rule 31 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "repealed",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2006/22",
      "affecting_title": "Electoral Administration Act 2006"
    },
    {
      "type": "modified",
      "affecting": "ukpga/1985/50",
      "affecting_title": "Representation of the People Act 1985"
    },
    {
      "type": "modified",
      "affecting": "ukpga/1985/50",
      "affecting_title": "Representation of the People Act 1985"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/2/schedule/1/paragraph/31",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-07T03:33:48.049414+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}