Explanatory note

This Order makes fresh provision in respect of the designation of returning officers and acting returning officers in Wales as a result of the changes to local government made by the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994. In particular, paragraph 68(3) of Schedule 16 to that Act amended section 24(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which provides for returning officers at parliamentary elections).

This Order refers to the constituencies established by the Parliamentary Constituencies (Wales) Order 1995. Like that Order, this Order does not come fully into force until the next parliamentary general election (article 2(1) of this Order).

Article 6 of, and Schedule 2 to, this Order designate the acting returning officers for county constituencies in Wales. Article 4 of, and Schedule 1 to, this Order designate returning officers in those county constituencies which are not coterminous with or wholly contained in a preserved county in Wales. Under section 64 of the 1994 Act, that expression refers to counties created by the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70). Article 5 of this Order designates the returning officer for Cardiff South and Penarth, being a borough constituency which is not coterminous with or wholly contained in a county or county borough.