OpenLegislation

Representation of the People Act 1985 in Wales

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 Repealed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