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Representation of the People Act 1985 in Northern Ireland

1985 c. 50 · Enacted 16 July 1985 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 6 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 7 February 2024.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 15(1)word omittedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(2)(a)
s. 15(1)(d) (e)insertedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(2)(b)
s. 15(5C)insertedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(5)
s. 15(3)words insertedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(3)
s. 15(3ZA)insertedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(4)
s. 6 7power to amendElections Act 2022 Sch. 2 para. 12(1)(b)

An Act to amend the law relating to parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom and local government elections in Great Britain, to provide for combining polls taken on the same date at such elections and elections to the Assembly of the European Communities, to extend the franchise at elections to that Assembly, to amend the law relating to the effect of the demise of the Crown on the summoning and duration of a new Parliament and to repeal section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1918.

[16th July 1985]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12C13C14C15C16C17C18C19C20

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

By European Communities (Amendment) Act 1986 (c. 58, SIF 29:5), s. 3(1)-(3), in the long title, for the references to the Assembly of the European Communities and the Assembly there are substituted retrospectively references to the European Parliament

C2

Act: references to constituency are to be construed as mentioned in Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 (c. 56, SIF 42), s. 1(2)

C3

Act amended (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/1091, reg. 51(6)

C4

Act amended (E.W.) by S.I. 1986/1081, reg. 51(6)

C5

Act applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by 1997 c. 61, s. 3, Sch. 3 para. 13 Table 3

Act applied (with modifications) (18.3.1998) by S.I. 1998/746, art. 12, Sch. 1, Table 3

Act applied in part (with modifications) (22.5.1998) by S.I. 1998/1287, art. 3(1)(3), Sch. 1

Act applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (1.2.2002) by S.I. 2002/185, art. 3(2), Sch. 2

C6

Act amended (16.2.2001) by 2000 c. 41, s. 7(2)(e) (with s. 156(6)); S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)

Act applied (2.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1298, reg. 10(4)

C7

Act (except ss. 6-10): functions transferred (25.11.2002) by S.I. 2002/2626, art. 11(1), Sch. 1 (with arts. 12, 13)

C8

Act: functions transferred (19.8.2003) by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887), art. 4, Sch. 1

C9

Act: Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), s. 46(1)-(4) to be construed as one with this Act (1.1.2007 for E.W.S., 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by virtue of Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 46(5), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(v) (subject to art. 6 and with Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts. 2(2), 4(s)

C10

Act: power to amend conferred (1.1.2007) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 72(2)(b), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 10 (subject to art. 6 and with Sch. 2)

C11

Act: power to modify conferred by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 4(4), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act (with Sch. 11 para. 22)

C12

Act: power to modify conferred by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 13(4)(5), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act (with Sch. 11 para. 22)

C13

Act applied (with modifications) (27.3.2007) by The Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1024), reg. 3, Sch. 2 (as amended (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2018/1310, reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 7)

C14

Act: certain functions made exercisable concurrently (18.8.2010) by Lord President of the Council Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1837), arts. 1(2), 3

C15

Act: power to apply or incorporate (with modifications) conferred (15.9.2011) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 58(1)-(3)(7)

C16

Act: power to apply or incorporate (with modifications) conferred (25.4.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 54(2)-(5), 157(1); S.I. 2012/1129, art. 2(b)

C17

Act: functions transferred (22.6.2015) by The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1376), arts. 1(2), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 9)

C18

Act: functions transferred (9.11.2016) by The Transfer of Functions (Elections, Referendums, Third Sector and Information) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/997), arts. 1(2), 3(1), Sch. 1(b) (with arts. 3(2), 6, 12)

C19

Act applied (with modifications) (31.1.2017) by The Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/67), art. 3(2)-(4), Sch. 2 (as amended: (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2018/1310, reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 14; and (7.2.2024) by S.I. 2024/131, regs. 1(3), 12(3)

C20

Act: power to apply (with modifications) conferred by 1998 c. 46, s. 12(4)(5) (as substituted (18.5.2017) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 4(1), 72(4)(a); S.I. 2017/608, reg. 2(1)(b))

Contents

  1. Extension of franchise to British citizens overseas
  2. 1Extension of parliamentary franchise.
  3. 1AQualification as an overseas elector in respect of a constituency
  4. 1BBritish citizens overseas: entitlement to be registered
  5. 1COverseas elector’s declaration
  6. 1DDuration of entitlement to be registered
  7. 1ERenewal declaration
  8. 2Registration of British citizens overseas.
  9. 3Extension of franchise for European Parliamentary elections. Repealed
  10. 4Extension of franchise: consequential amendments.
  11. Voting at parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom and local government elections in Great Britain
  12. 5Manner of voting at parliamentary and local government elections.
  13. 6Absent vote at elections for an indefinite period.
  14. 7Absent vote at a particular election and absent voters list.
  15. 8Proxies at elections.
  16. 9Voting as proxy.
  17. 10Voting at special polling stations in Northern Ireland.
  18. 11Manner of voting: supplementary provision.
  19. Offences as to declarations, etc.
  20. 12Offences as to declarations, etc.
  21. Deposits and expenses at elections
  22. 13Deposit by candidates at parliamentary elections.
  23. 14Election expenses.
  24. Combination and timing of polls
  25. 15Combination of polls at parliamentary, ... and local elections.
  26. 19Timing of elections.
  27. Miscellaneous and supplemental
  28. 20Demise of the Crown and parliamentary elections etc
  29. 23Increase in penalties for offences under principal Act, etc.
  30. 24Miscellaneous amendments of principal Act.
  31. 25Amendments of other enactments.
  32. 26Expenses.
  33. 27Interpretation.
  34. 28Repeals.
  35. 29Citation, commencement and extent.
  36. Schedule 1: Special Polling Stations in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  37. Part I: Right to Vote at Special Polling Stations Not yet in force
  38. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  39. Part II: Rules Relating to Special Polling Stations Not yet in force
  40. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  41. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  42. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  43. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  44. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  45. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  46. Part III: Modifications of Parliamentary Elections Rules Not yet in force
  47. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  48. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  49. 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
  50. 11Paragraph 11 Not yet in force
  51. 12Paragraph 12 Not yet in force
  52. 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
  53. 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
  54. 15Paragraph 15 Not yet in force
  55. 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
  56. 17Paragraph 17 Not yet in force
  57. 18Paragraph 18 Not yet in force
  58. 19Paragraph 19 Not yet in force
  59. 20Paragraph 20 Not yet in force
  60. 21Paragraph 21 Not yet in force
  61. 22Paragraph 22 Not yet in force
  62. 23Paragraph 23 Not yet in force
  63. Part IV: Modifications of Representation of the People Acts Not yet in force
  64. 24Paragraph 24 Not yet in force
  65. 25Paragraph 25 Not yet in force
  66. 26Paragraph 26 Not yet in force
  67. 27Paragraph 27 Not yet in force
  68. 28Paragraph 28 Not yet in force
  69. 29Paragraph 29 Not yet in force
  70. 30Paragraph 30 Not yet in force
  71. Schedule 2: Manner of Voting
  72. Part I: Consequential Amendments of Principal Act
  73. 1Paragraph 1
  74. 2Paragraph 2
  75. 3Paragraph 3
  76. 4Paragraph 4
  77. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  78. 6Paragraph 6
  79. 7Paragraph 7
  80. 8Paragraph 8
  81. Part II: Transitional Provision for Absent Voters
  82. 9Paragraph 9
  83. 10Paragraph 10
  84. 11Paragraph 11
  85. 12Paragraph 12
  86. Part III: Voting at Municipal Elections in the City
  87. 13Paragraph 13
  88. Schedule 3: Penalties
  89. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  90. 2Paragraph 2
  91. 3Paragraph 3
  92. 4Paragraph 4
  93. 5Paragraph 5
  94. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  95. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  96. 8Paragraph 8
  97. 9Paragraph 9
  98. 10Paragraph 10
  99. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  100. Schedule 4: Miscellaneous Amendments of the Principal Act
  101. Part I (parliamentary and local government franchise and its exercise)
  102. 1Paragraph 1
  103. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  104. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  105. 4Paragraph 4
  106. 5Paragraph 5
  107. 6Paragraph 6
  108. 7Paragraph 7
  109. 8Paragraph 8
  110. 9Paragraph 9
  111. 10Paragraph 10
  112. 11Paragraph 11
  113. 12Paragraph 12
  114. 13Paragraph 13
  115. 14Paragraph 14
  116. 15Paragraph 15
  117. 16Paragraph 16
  118. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  119. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  120. 19Paragraph 19
  121. Part II (the election campaign)
  122. 20Paragraph 20
  123. 21Paragraph 21
  124. 22Paragraph 22
  125. 23Paragraph 23
  126. 24Paragraph 24
  127. 25Paragraph 25
  128. 26Paragraph 26
  129. 27Paragraph 27
  130. 28Paragraph 28
  131. 29Paragraph 29
  132. 30Paragraph 30
  133. 31Paragraph 31
  134. 32Paragraph 32
  135. 33Paragraph 33
  136. 34Paragraph 34
  137. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  138. 36Paragraph 36
  139. 37Paragraph 37
  140. 38Paragraph 38
  141. 39Paragraph 39
  142. 40Paragraph 40
  143. 41Paragraph 41
  144. 42Paragraph 42
  145. 43Paragraph 43
  146. Part III (legal proceedings)
  147. 44Paragraph 44
  148. 45Paragraph 45
  149. 46Paragraph 46
  150. 47Paragraph 47
  151. 48Paragraph 48
  152. 49Paragraph 49
  153. 50Paragraph 50
  154. 51Paragraph 51
  155. 52Paragraph 52
  156. 53Paragraph 53
  157. 54Paragraph 54
  158. 55Paragraph 55
  159. 56Paragraph 56
  160. 57Paragraph 57
  161. 58Paragraph 58
  162. 59Paragraph 59
  163. 60Paragraph 60
  164. 61Paragraph 61
  165. 62Paragraph 62
  166. 63Paragraph 63
  167. Part IV (special provisions as to certain local elections)
  168. 64Paragraph 64
  169. 65Paragraph 65
  170. 66Paragraph 66
  171. 67Paragraph 67
  172. Part V (general and supplemental)
  173. 68Paragraph 68
  174. 69Paragraph 69
  175. 70Paragraph 70
  176. 71Paragraph 71
  177. 72Paragraph 72
  178. Schedule 1 (parliamentary elections rules)
  179. 73Paragraph 73
  180. 74Paragraph 74
  181. 75Paragraph 75
  182. 76Paragraph 76
  183. 77Paragraph 77
  184. 78Paragraph 78 Repealed
  185. 79Paragraph 79
  186. 80Paragraph 80
  187. 81Paragraph 81
  188. 82Paragraph 82
  189. 83Paragraph 83
  190. 84Paragraph 84
  191. 85Paragraph 85
  192. 86Paragraph 86
  193. Other Schedules
  194. 87Paragraph 87
  195. 88Paragraph 88
  196. 89Paragraph 89
  197. 90Paragraph 90 Repealed
  198. Schedule 5Repeals