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Representation of the People Act 1985

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(3)words insertedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(3)
s. 15(3ZA)insertedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(4)
s. 15(5C)insertedScotland Act 2012 s. 2(5)
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. 16Postponement of poll at parish or community council elections. Repealed
  27. 17Combination of polls at local elections.
  28. 18Ordinary day of local elections.
  29. 19Timing of elections.
  30. Miscellaneous and supplemental
  31. 20Demise of the Crown and parliamentary elections etc
  32. 21Ordinary elections of parish and community councillors: insufficient nominations.
  33. 22Welsh forms
  34. 23Increase in penalties for offences under principal Act, etc.
  35. 24Miscellaneous amendments of principal Act.
  36. 25Amendments of other enactments.
  37. 26Expenses.
  38. 27Interpretation.
  39. 28Repeals.
  40. 29Citation, commencement and extent.
  41. Schedule 1: Special Polling Stations in Northern Ireland Not yet in force
  42. Part I: Right to Vote at Special Polling Stations Not yet in force
  43. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  44. Part II: Rules Relating to Special Polling Stations Not yet in force
  45. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  46. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  47. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  48. 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
  49. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  50. 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
  51. Part III: Modifications of Parliamentary Elections Rules Not yet in force
  52. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  53. 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
  54. 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
  55. 11Paragraph 11 Not yet in force
  56. 12Paragraph 12 Not yet in force
  57. 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
  58. 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
  59. 15Paragraph 15 Not yet in force
  60. 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
  61. 17Paragraph 17 Not yet in force
  62. 18Paragraph 18 Not yet in force
  63. 19Paragraph 19 Not yet in force
  64. 20Paragraph 20 Not yet in force
  65. 21Paragraph 21 Not yet in force
  66. 22Paragraph 22 Not yet in force
  67. 23Paragraph 23 Not yet in force
  68. Part IV: Modifications of Representation of the People Acts Not yet in force
  69. 24Paragraph 24 Not yet in force
  70. 25Paragraph 25 Not yet in force
  71. 26Paragraph 26 Not yet in force
  72. 27Paragraph 27 Not yet in force
  73. 28Paragraph 28 Not yet in force
  74. 29Paragraph 29 Not yet in force
  75. 30Paragraph 30 Not yet in force
  76. Schedule 2: Manner of Voting
  77. Part I: Consequential Amendments of Principal Act
  78. 1Paragraph 1
  79. 2Paragraph 2
  80. 3Paragraph 3
  81. 4Paragraph 4
  82. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  83. 6Paragraph 6
  84. 7Paragraph 7
  85. 8Paragraph 8
  86. Part II: Transitional Provision for Absent Voters
  87. 9Paragraph 9
  88. 10Paragraph 10
  89. 11Paragraph 11
  90. 12Paragraph 12
  91. Part III: Voting at Municipal Elections in the City
  92. 13Paragraph 13
  93. Schedule 3: Penalties
  94. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  95. 2Paragraph 2
  96. 3Paragraph 3
  97. 4Paragraph 4
  98. 5Paragraph 5
  99. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  100. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  101. 8Paragraph 8
  102. 9Paragraph 9
  103. 10Paragraph 10
  104. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  105. Schedule 4: Miscellaneous Amendments of the Principal Act
  106. Part I (parliamentary and local government franchise and its exercise)
  107. 1Paragraph 1
  108. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  109. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  110. 4Paragraph 4
  111. 5Paragraph 5
  112. 6Paragraph 6
  113. 7Paragraph 7
  114. 8Paragraph 8
  115. 9Paragraph 9
  116. 10Paragraph 10
  117. 11Paragraph 11
  118. 12Paragraph 12
  119. 13Paragraph 13
  120. 14Paragraph 14
  121. 15Paragraph 15
  122. 16Paragraph 16
  123. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  124. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  125. 19Paragraph 19
  126. Part II (the election campaign)
  127. 20Paragraph 20
  128. 21Paragraph 21
  129. 22Paragraph 22
  130. 23Paragraph 23
  131. 24Paragraph 24
  132. 25Paragraph 25
  133. 26Paragraph 26
  134. 27Paragraph 27
  135. 28Paragraph 28
  136. 29Paragraph 29
  137. 30Paragraph 30
  138. 31Paragraph 31
  139. 32Paragraph 32
  140. 33Paragraph 33
  141. 34Paragraph 34
  142. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  143. 36Paragraph 36
  144. 37Paragraph 37
  145. 38Paragraph 38
  146. 39Paragraph 39
  147. 40Paragraph 40
  148. 41Paragraph 41
  149. 42Paragraph 42
  150. 43Paragraph 43
  151. Part III (legal proceedings)
  152. 44Paragraph 44
  153. 45Paragraph 45
  154. 46Paragraph 46
  155. 47Paragraph 47
  156. 48Paragraph 48
  157. 49Paragraph 49
  158. 50Paragraph 50
  159. 51Paragraph 51
  160. 52Paragraph 52
  161. 53Paragraph 53
  162. 54Paragraph 54
  163. 55Paragraph 55
  164. 56Paragraph 56
  165. 57Paragraph 57
  166. 58Paragraph 58
  167. 59Paragraph 59
  168. 60Paragraph 60
  169. 61Paragraph 61
  170. 62Paragraph 62
  171. 63Paragraph 63
  172. Part IV (special provisions as to certain local elections)
  173. 64Paragraph 64
  174. 65Paragraph 65
  175. 66Paragraph 66
  176. 67Paragraph 67
  177. Part V (general and supplemental)
  178. 68Paragraph 68
  179. 69Paragraph 69
  180. 70Paragraph 70
  181. 71Paragraph 71
  182. 72Paragraph 72
  183. Schedule 1 (parliamentary elections rules)
  184. 73Paragraph 73
  185. 74Paragraph 74
  186. 75Paragraph 75
  187. 76Paragraph 76
  188. 77Paragraph 77
  189. 78Paragraph 78 Repealed
  190. 79Paragraph 79
  191. 80Paragraph 80
  192. 81Paragraph 81
  193. 82Paragraph 82
  194. 83Paragraph 83
  195. 84Paragraph 84
  196. 85Paragraph 85
  197. 86Paragraph 86
  198. Other Schedules
  199. 87Paragraph 87
  200. 88Paragraph 88
  201. 89Paragraph 89
  202. 90Paragraph 90 Repealed
  203. Schedule 5Repeals