Citation, commencement and revocation

1.—(1) These Rules may be cited as the Greater London Authority Elections Rules 2007 and will come into force on 14th January 2008

(2) The following Rules are revoked—

(a)^M3the Greater London Authority Elections (No.2) Rules 2000 ;

(b)^M4the Greater London Authority Elections (No.2) (Amendment) Rules 2000 ;

(c)^M5the Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2001 ; and

(d)^M6the Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2004 .

Interpretation_cross-notes

2.—(1) In these Rules—

“1983 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1983;

^M7“1999 Act” means the Greater London Authority Act 1999 ;

^M8“2000 Act” means the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 ;

[^F1“2002 Act” means the Police Reform Act 2002;^F1]

^M9“2006 Act” means the Electoral Administration Act 2006 ;

[^F2“anonymous elector’s document” has the same meaning as in regulation 3(1) of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022;^F2]

“appropriate form” means, in relation to a particular rule, the form relevant to that rule set out in the Forms Schedule or where more than one form is so set out, the form indicated by the relevant rule as being appropriate to the particular circumstances;

“Assembly constituency” means a constituency area specified in an order made under section 2(4) of the 1999 Act;

“Authority election” means an election, whether at an ordinary election or in the circumstances mentioned in sections 10, 11 or 16 of the 1999 Act (filling a vacancy in an Assembly constituency or the office of Mayor), held under—

^M10“Combination of Polls Regulations” means the Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) Regulations 2004 ;

“Combined Manual Count Rules” means the Rules in Schedule 8;

“constituency member” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the 1999 Act;

“Constituency Members Election Rules” means the Rules in Schedule 1 or 5;

“CRO” (constituency returning officer) means, in relation to an Assembly constituency and an election, the person (or person fitting the description) for the time being designated by an order under section 35(2B) of the 1983 Act;

“elector”, except where the context provides otherwise, has the same meaning as in section 202 of the 1983 Act;

^M11“election booklet” has the same meaning as in article 7 of the Greater London Authority Elections (Election Addresses) Order 2003 ;

“electronic counting system” means such computer hardware, software and other equipment or services as may be provided by the GLRO to the CRO in accordance with the rules applying at the election, for the purpose of counting the number of ballot papers to verify the ballot paper accounts and to count the votes cast on them;

^F3...

“Forms Schedule” means Schedule 10;

^M12“GLRO” (Greater London returning officer) means the person who is for the time being the proper officer of the Greater London Authority for the purposes of section 35(2C) of the 1983 Act (returning officer at the election of the Mayor and London Members);

^M13“local authority mayoral election” means an election conducted under the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 ;

“London Assembly” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the 1999 Act;

“London members” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the 1999 Act;

“London Members Election Rules” means the Rules in Schedule 2 or 6;

“Manual Count Rules” means the Rules in Schedule 4;

“Mayor” means the Mayor of London.

“mayoral by-election” means an election for the Mayor or London held in the circumstances mentioned in section 16 (filling a vacancy in the office of Mayor) of the 1999 Act;

“mayoral election” means an election for the return of the Mayor, whether at an ordinary election or an election held in the circumstances mentioned in section 16 (filling a vacancy in the office of Mayor) of the 1999 Act;

“Mayoral Election Rules” means the Rules in Schedule 3 or 7;

“Notices Schedule “ means the rules in Schedule 9;

“referendum” means a referendum conducted under the Referendum Regulations;

^M14“Referendum Regulations” means the Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2007 ;

“relevant registration officer” means the registration officer within the meaning of subsection (3)(a) of section 44 of the 2006 Act, or appointed by an order made under subsection (3)(b) of that section;

[^F4“temporary electoral identity document” has the same meaning as in regulation 3(1) of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022;^F4]

^M15“ward” has the same meaning as in paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 1972 .

(2) References in these rules—

(a)to the CRO include references to any person appointed by him under subsection (4) of section 35 (returning officers: local elections in England and Wales) of the 1983 Act, and

(b)to the GLRO include references to any person appointed by him under that subsection.

(3) Other expressions used both in these Rules and in Part 1 (the Greater London Authority) of the 1999 Act have the same meaning in these Rules as they have in that Part.

Rules for Authority elections

3.—(1) Subject to rules 4, 5 and 7, Authority elections shall be conducted in accordance with the rules specified in paragraphs (2) to (4) of this rule.

(2) The Constituency MembersElection Rules in Schedule 1 have effect for the purposes of any election of constituency members at an ordinary election, and any election under section 10 (filing a vacancy in an Assembly constituency) of the 1999 Act.

(3) The London MembersElection Rules in Schedule 2, with the exception of Part 7, have effect for the purposes of any election of London members; and Part 7 of those rules has effect for the purposes of section 11 (filling a vacancy among the London members) of the 1999 Act.

(4) The Mayoral Election Rules in Schedule 3 have effect for the purposes of any election of the Mayor of London at an ordinary election, and any election under section 16 (filing a vacancy in the office of Mayor) of the 1999 Act.

Modification to the Rules where votes are counted manually

4. Where some or all of the votes cast at a Authority election to which rule 3 applies, are to be counted without the use of an electronic counting system, the Constituency MembersElection Rules, the London MembersElection Rules and the Mayoral Election Rules have effect, with respect to those votes counted manually, subject to the modifications set out in the Manual Count Rules in Schedule 4.

Rules for Authority elections combined with a relevant election or referendum_cross-notes

5.—(1) This rule applies to an Authority election that is taken together with the poll at—

(a)^F5,M16a parliamentary election ... or local government election (other than an Authority election), under section 15(1) or (2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 ; or

(b)^M17a local authority mayoral election or referendum in accordance with regulations made under sections 44 and 105, or 45 and 105, of the Local Government Act 2000 .

(2) For the purposes of an election to which this rule applies—

(a)rules 3 and 4 will not apply; and

(b)subject to rules 6 and 7, the election must be conducted in accordance with the rules specified in paragraphs (3) to (5) of this rule.

(3) The Constituency MembersElection Rules in Schedule 5 have effect for the purposes of any election of constituency members of the London Assembly at an ordinary election, and any election under section 10 (filing a vacancy in an Assembly constituency) of the 1999 Act.

(4) The London MembersElection Rules in Schedule 6, with the exception of Part 7, have effect for the purposes of any election of London members; and Part 7 of those rules has effect for the purposes of section 11 (filling a vacancy among the London members) of the 1999 Act.

(5) The Mayoral Election Rules in Schedule 7 have effect for the purposes of any election of the Mayor of London at an ordinary election, and any election under section 16 (filing a vacancy in the Office of Mayor) of the 1999 Act.

Modifications to the combined Rules where votes are counted manually

6. Where some or all of the votes cast at an Authority election to which rule 5 applies, are to be counted without the use of an electronic counting system, then Constituency MembersElection Rules, the London MembersElection Rules and the Mayoral Election Rules have effect, with respect to those votes counted manually, subject to the modifications in the Combined Manual Count Rules [^F6in Schedule 8^F6] .

Modifications to the election timetable at by-elections

7.—(1) For the purposes of a constituency member or mayoral by-election, for the timetable in rule 3 of—

(a)the Constituency MembersElection Rules in Schedule 1 or 5;

(b)the Mayoral Election Rules in Schedule 3 or 7,

substitute—

Notices

8.Schedule 9 (requirements for notices for guidance of voters) has effect.

Forms

9. Schedule 10 (forms) has effect.

Returning officers' duties

10.—(1) At an ordinary election, it is the duty of the CROs and the GLRO to co-operate with each other in the discharge of their functions.

(2) Where a poll is to be taken—

(a)for the return of the London members; or

(b)for the return of the Mayor,

it is the duty of CROs to perform any of the functions they are required to perform by the rules applying to those elections, including verifying the ballot papers at the poll (or each poll if both are to be taken) and counting the votes cast in that poll (or each poll, if both are to be taken).

GLRO's power of direction

11.—(1) The GLRO may give to any CRO a direction—

(a)as to the manner in which he must discharge any of his functions set out in these Rules; or

(b)requiring him to provide the GLRO with any information which the CRO has or is entitled to have in accordance with these rules,

^F12....

(2) It is the duty of each CRO to whom a direction is given under paragraph (1) to discharge his functions in accordance with that direction.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the preceding provisions of this rule, a GLRO may exercise the power conferred by paragraph (1) to give the directions set out in paragraph (4) subject to the requirements in paragraphs (5) and (6).

(4) The GLRO may direct the CRO to—

(a)include alternative information in the appropriate form of postal voting statement, in place of the paragraphs beneath the heading “ [^F13Instructions for voting by post^F13] ”;

(b)issue additional information to those entitled to vote by post; or

(c)exercise his discretion to include additional information in poll cards.

(5) Where the GLRO has decided to direct the CRO in accordance with paragraph (4), he must—

(a)supply the alternative or additional information which the CRO is to issue to voters either electronically or in a printed form; and

(b)direct the CRO in writing as to how the information is to be used,

by no later than the date of the notice of election.

(6) Where the CRO does not discharge the functions specified in regulation 5 (functions at combined polls) of the Combination of Polls Regulations, the GLRO may give a direction under paragraph (4) to the returning officer who does discharge those functions.

(7) The alternative or additional information supplied under [^F14(5)(a)^F14] must—

(a)comply with paragraph 4 of the Notices Schedule (as though that information were to be included in a notice);

(b)and must relate to—

(i)the system of voting at the Authority election;

(ii)how many votes a voter has at each Authority election;

(iii)the marks to be used, and the manner in which they should be used, in order to ensure that a vote is counted for any candidate.

(8) For the purposes of this rule—

(a)“postal voting statement”; and

(b)“poll card”,

mean the documents issued under the relevant rules in the Schedule pertaining to the election, and set out in the Forms Schedule.

[^F15Supply of postal voters lists, etc.

12.—(1)Paragraphs (2) and (3) apply where a registration officer (“R”) for any part of an Assembly constituency is not the CRO for that constituency.

(2)As soon as practicable after 5pm on the sixth day before the day of the poll at an Authority election, R must send the CRO a copy of the lists R is required to keep in respect of that election under paragraphs 5 and 7(8) of Schedule 4 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (absent voters lists and proxy postal voters list).

(3)R must, on a request made at any time, supply the CRO with a copy of the lists mentioned in paragraph (2).

(4)In relation to an Authority election, for the purposes of paragraph (2), “the sixth day before the day of the poll” is to be computed in the same way as a period of time mentioned in the timetable for that election.^F15]

Rule 3(2)

SCHEDULE 1THE CONSTITUENCY MEMBERS ELECTION RULES

PART 1General Provisions

Citation

1. This Schedule may be cited as the Constituency MembersElection Rules.

Interpretation

2. In the rules in this Schedule—

(a)unless the context indicates otherwise, “election” means an election of a constituency member;

(b)reference to a rule by number alone is a reference to the rule so numbered in this Schedule.

PART 2Provisions As To Time

Timetable

3. The proceedings at the election must be conducted in accordance with the following timetable:

Computation of time

4.—(1) In computing any period of time for the purposes of the timetable—

(a)a Saturday or Sunday,

(b)Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday, or

(c)a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning,

must be disregarded, and any such day must not be treated as a day for the purpose of any proceedings up to the completion of the poll nor may the CRO be obliged to proceed with the counting of the votes on such a day.

^M18(2) In this rule, “bank holiday” means a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in England and Wales.

PART 3Stages Common To Contested And Uncontested Elections

Notice of election

5.—(1) The CRO must publish notice of the election stating—

(a)the place and times at which nomination papers are to be delivered, and

(b)the date of the poll in the event of a contest,

and the notice must state that forms of nomination papers may be obtained at that place and those times.

(2) The notice of election must state the arrangements (if any) which apply for the payment of the deposit required by rule 8 by means of the electronic transfer of funds.

(3) The notice of election must state the date by which—

(a)applications to vote by post or by proxy, and

(b)other applications and notices about postal or proxy voting,

must reach the registration officer for local government electors in order that they may be effective for the election.

Nomination of candidates

6.—(1) Each candidate must be nominated by a separate nomination paper, which must be—

(a)in the appropriate form, and

(b)delivered to the place fixed for the purpose by the CRO, which must be at the offices of a local authority within the Assembly constituency, before the last time for the delivery of nomination papers.

(2) The nomination paper must state the candidate's—

(a)full names, [^F20and^F20]

^F21(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)if desired, description,

and the surname must be placed first in the list of names.

(3) If a candidate commonly uses—

(a)a surname which is different from any other surname he has, or

(b)a forename which is different from any other forename he has,

the nomination paper may state the commonly used surname or forename, or both surname and forename, in addition to the other name.

(4) The description (if any) can only be—

(a)one authorised as mentioned in paragraph (5) or (7), or

(b)the word “Independent”.

(5) A nomination paper may not include a description of a candidate that is likely to lead electors to associate the candidate with a registered party unless—

(a)the party is a qualifying party in relation to the electoral area, and

(b)the description is authorised by a certificate—

(i)issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of the party, and

(ii)received by the CRO before the last time for the delivery of nomination papers set out in the timetable in rule 3.

(6) In paragraph (5) an authorised description may be either—

(a)^M19the name of the party registered under section 28 of the 2000 Act , or

(b)^M20a description of the party registered under section 28A of that Act.

(7) A nomination paper may not include a description of a candidate which is likely to lead electors to associate the candidate with two or more registered political parties unless the parties are each qualifying parties in relation to the electoral area and the description is a registered description authorised by a certificate—

(a)issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of each of the parties, and

(b)received by the CRO before the last time for the delivery of nomination papers set out in the timetable in rule 3.

^M21(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7), a description is a registered description if it is a description registered for use by the parties under section 28B of the 2000 Act .

(9) A person will be guilty of a corrupt practice if he fraudulently purports to be authorised to issue a certificate under paragraph (5) or (7) on behalf of a registered party's nominating officer.

[^F22(9A)The nomination paper must be accompanied by a form (in this Schedule referred to as “the home address form”) which states—

(a)the candidate’s—

(i)full names,

(ii)home address in full, and

(iii)qualifying address or, if the candidate declares that they are qualified by more than one of the qualifications mentioned in paragraph (9D), qualifying addresses;

(b)in relation to each qualifying address, which of the qualifications mentioned in paragraph (9D) that address relates to;

(c)the attesting person’s—

(i)full names, and

(ii)home address in full.

(9B)The home address form—

(a)may contain a statement made and signed by the candidate that the candidate requires their home address not to be made public, and

(b)if it does so, must—

(i)where the candidate’s home address is in the United Kingdom, state the name of the relevant area;

(ii)where the candidate’s home address is outside the United Kingdom, state the country in which it is situated.

(9C)The provisions in paragraph (1)(b) about the delivery of the nomination paper also apply to the home address form.

(9D)In this rule, “qualifying address”, in relation to a candidate, means—

(a)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of being registered as a local government elector for Greater London, the address at which they are so registered;

(b)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of occupying as owner or tenant any land or other premises in Greater London, a description and address of that land or those premises;

(c)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of their principal or only place of work being in Greater London, the address of that place of work;

(d)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of residing in Greater London, the address, or addresses, at which the candidate has so resided.

(9E)In this rule—

“attesting person”, in relation to a candidate, means the person who attests the candidate’s consent to nomination in accordance with rule 7(1)(b);

“relevant area” means—

(10) For the purposes of the application of these rules in relation to an election—

(a)“registered party” means a party which was registered under Part 2 of the 2000 Act on the day (“the relevant day”) which is two days before the last day for the delivery of nomination papers at that election,

(b)a registered party is a qualifying party in relation to an electoral area if on the relevant day the party was registered in respect of England in the Great Britain register maintained under that Part of that Act.

(11) For the purposes of paragraph (10)(a), any day falling within rule 4(1) must be disregarded.

Consent to nomination

7.—(1) A person will not be validly nominated unless his consent to nomination—

(a)is given in writing in the appropriate form, or a form to like effect, on or within one month before the last day for the delivery of nomination papers;

(b)^F23is attested by one witness ...; and

(c)is delivered at the place and within the time for delivery of nomination papers.

(2) A candidate's consent given under this rule must—

(a)state the day, month and year of his birth; and

(b)contain a statement that to the best of the candidate's knowledge and belief he is not disqualified from being elected by reason of—

(i)^F25any disqualification set out in section 21 [^F24or 21A^F24] (disqualification from being the Mayor or an Assembly member) of the 1999 Act, ...

[^F26(ii)^F27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iii)an order made under section 34(4) of the Localism Act 2011 (offences).^F26]

Deposits

8.—(1) A person will not be validly nominated unless the sum of £1,000 is deposited by him, or on his behalf, with the CRO at the place and within the time for delivery of nomination papers.

(2) The deposit may be made either—

(a)by the deposit of any legal tender, or

(b)by means of a banker's draft, or

(c)with the CRO's consent, in any other manner including by means of a debit or credit card or the electronic transfer of funds,

but the CRO may refuse to accept a deposit sought to be made by means of a banker's draft if he does not know that the drawer carries on business as a banker in the United Kingdom.

(3) Where the deposit is made on behalf of the candidate, the person making the deposit must at the time he makes it give his name and address to the CRO, unless they have previously been given to him under section 67 (appointment of election agent) of the 1983 Act.

Decisions as to validity of nomination papers

9.—(1) Where a nomination paper and the candidate's consent to it [^F28and a home address form^F28] are delivered, and the deposit is made, in accordance with this Part of these Rules, the candidate must be deemed to stand nominated unless and until—

(a)the CRO decides that the nomination paper is invalid, or

[^F29(aa)the CRO decides that the home address form—

(i)does not comply with the requirements of rule 6(9A), or

(ii)if the form contains a statement under rule 6(9B)(a), does not comply with the signature requirement in that rule or with the requirements of rule 6(9B)(b), or^F29]

(b)proof is given to the CRO's satisfaction of the candidate's death, or

(c)the candidate withdraws.

(2) The CRO is entitled to hold a nomination paper invalid only on the grounds—

(a)that the particulars of the candidate on the nomination paper are not as required by law; or

(b)that the paper breaks rule 6(5) or (7).

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the CRO must, as soon as practicable after each nomination paper [^F30and home address form have been delivered, examine them^F30] and decide whether the candidate has been validly nominated.

(4) If in the CRO's opinion a nomination paper breaks rule 6(5) or (7), he must give a decision to that effect—

(a)as soon as practicable after the delivery of the nomination paper, and

(b)in any event, before the end of the period of 24 hours starting with the end of the period for the delivery of nomination papers set out in the timetable in rule 3.

(5) Where the CRO decides that a nomination paper is invalid, he must endorse and sign on the paper the fact and the reasons for his decision.

(6) The CRO must, as soon as practicable after making a decision under paragraph (3) or (4) that a nomination paper is valid or invalid, send notice of that decision to the candidate at his home address as given in his [^F31home address form^F31] .

(7) The CRO's decision that a nomination paper is valid is final and must not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.

(8) Subject to paragraph (7), nothing in this rule prevents the validity of a nomination being questioned on an election petition.

Publication of statement of persons nominated

10.—(1) The CRO must prepare and [^F32(subject to paragraph (11))^F32] publish a statement showing the persons who have been and stand nominated and any other persons who have been nominated together with the reason why they no longer stand nominated.

^F33(2) The statement must show the names ... and descriptions of the persons nominated as given in their nomination papers.

[^F34(2A)The statement must also show the following information contained in the home address form—

(a)where a person nominated has made the statement mentioned in rule 6(9B)(a) requiring their home address not to be made public, the information mentioned in rule 6(9B)(b),

(b)in any other case, the home address of the person nominated.^F34]

(3) If a person's nomination paper gives a commonly used surname or forename, or both surname and forename, in addition to another name, the statement must show the person's commonly used surname or forename, or both surname and forename (as the case may be) instead of any other name.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply if the CRO thinks—

(a)that the use of the person's commonly used name may be likely to mislead or confuse electors, or

(b)that the commonly used name is obscene or offensive.

(5) If paragraph (4) applies, the CRO must give notice in writing to the candidate of his reasons for refusing to allow the use of a commonly used name.

(6) The statement must show the persons standing nominated arranged alphabetically in the order of their surnames, and if there are two or more of them with the same surname, of their other names.

[^F35(6A)Where—

(a)two or more of the names shown on the statement are the same or so similar it is likely to cause confusion,

(b)each of the persons in question has made the statement mentioned in rule 6(9B)(a), and

(c)the information mentioned in rule 6(9B)(b) is the same for each of them,

the CRO may cause any of their particulars to be shown on the statement with such amendments or additions as the CRO thinks appropriate in order to reduce the likelihood of confusion.

(6B)Where it is practicable to do so before the publication of the statement, the CRO must consult any person whose particulars are to be amended or added to under paragraph (6A).

(6C)The CRO must give notice in writing to any person whose particulars are amended or added to under paragraph (6A).

(6D)Anything done by the CRO in pursuance of paragraph (6A) must not be questioned in any proceedings other than proceedings on an election petition.

(6E)The CRO must have regard to any guidance issued by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of paragraph (6A).^F35]

(7) In the case of a person nominated by more than one nomination paper, the CRO must take the particulars required by the foregoing provisions of this rule from such one of the papers as the candidate (or the CRO in default of the candidate) may select.

[^F36(8)Paragraphs (9) to (11) apply at an ordinary election.

(9)As soon as possible after all decisions under rule 9 which are required to be made have been made, the CRO must arrange for a copy of the statement that the CRO has prepared and proposes to publish to be delivered to the GLRO.

(10)If, after having delivered the statement mentioned in paragraph (9) to the GLRO, the CRO receives notification from the GLRO under rule 13(4) that a candidate is deemed to have withdrawn his or her candidature, the CRO must amend that statement accordingly.

(11)The CRO may not publish the statement under paragraph (1) until—

(a)the CRO has made any amendments required under paragraph (10), or

(b)where no notification under rule 13(4) is received from the GLRO, the time by which the GLRO must give such a notification has passed.^F36]

Correction of minor errors

11.—(1) A CRO may, if he thinks fit, at any time before the publication under rule 10 of the statement of persons nominated, correct minor errors in a nomination paper [^F37or home address form^F37] .

(2) Errors which may be corrected include—

(a)errors as to a person's electoral number,

(b)obvious errors of spelling in relation to the details of a candidate,

[^F38(c)errors as to the information mentioned in rule 6(9B)(b).^F38]

(3) Anything done by a CRO in pursuance of this rule may not be questioned in any proceedings other than proceedings on an election petition.

(4) A CRO must have regard to any guidance issued by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of this rule.

Inspection of nomination papers and consent to nomination

12.—(1) During ordinary office hours, in the period starting 24 hours after the latest time for the delivery of nomination papers and before the date of the poll, any person may inspect and take copies of, or extracts from, nomination papers and consents to nomination.

(2) Inspection under paragraph (1) may not take place on a day that is specified in rule 4(1).

[^F39Inspection of home address forms

12A.—(1)During ordinary office hours, in the period starting 24 hours after the latest time for the delivery of nomination papers and before the date of the poll, the following may inspect the home address form of a candidate (“candidate A”)—

(a)a person standing nominated as a candidate in the same electoral area as candidate A (“candidate B”),

(b)candidate B’s election agent, or

(c)where candidate B acts as their own election agent, a person nominated by candidate B.

(2)Inspection under paragraph (1) may not take place on a day that is specified in rule 4(1).

(3)Nothing in this rule permits any person to take a copy of, or extracts from, any home address form.

(4)The CRO must not permit a home address form to be inspected otherwise than in accordance with this rule, or for some other purpose authorised by law.^F39]

Nomination in more than one Assembly constituency

[^F4013.—(1)This rule applies at an ordinary election.

(2)A candidate who is validly nominated in more than one Assembly constituency must withdraw his or her candidature, in accordance with rule 14, in all but one of those constituencies.

(3)Where a candidate does not withdraw his or her candidature as mentioned in paragraph (2), he or she is deemed, after the last time for delivery of notices of withdrawals, to have withdrawn his or her candidature from all the Assembly constituencies in which he or she is, but for this rule, validly nominated.

(4)Where, having reviewed the proposed statements of persons nominated delivered under rule 10(9), it appears to the GLRO that a candidate (“C”) appears (but for this rule) to have been validly nominated in more than one Assembly constituency (“a relevant constituency”), the GLRO must at least one hour before the last time for publication of the statement as to persons nominated as set out in the timetable in rule 3, notify the CRO for each relevant constituency that C’s candidature is deemed to have been withdrawn in that constituency.

(5)A CRO must, as soon as practicable after receiving the notification mentioned in paragraph (4), notify C that C’s candidature is deemed to have been withdrawn in that constituency.^F40]

Withdrawal of candidates

14.—(1) A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice of withdrawal—

(a)signed by him and attested by one witness, whose name and address must be given, and

(b)delivered to the CRO at the place for delivery of nomination papers,

by the end of the period for the delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature in the timetable in rule 3.

(2) Where a candidate is outside the United Kingdom, a notice of withdrawal signed by his election agent and accompanied by a written declaration also so signed of the candidate's absence from the United Kingdom will be of the same effect as a notice of withdrawal signed by the candidate; but where the candidate stands nominated by more than one nomination paper a notice of withdrawal under this paragraph will be effective if, and only if, it is accompanied, in addition to that declaration, by a written statement signed by the candidate that the person giving the notice is authorised to do so on the candidate's behalf during his absence from the United Kingdom.

Method of election

15.—(1) If, after any withdrawals in accordance with [^F41these Rules^F41] , the number of persons remaining validly nominated for the Assembly constituency exceeds one, a poll must be taken in accordance with Part 4 of these Rules.

(2) If, after any withdrawals in accordance with [^F41these Rules^F41] , only one person remains validly nominated for the Assembly constituency, that person must be declared to be elected in accordance with Part 5.

PART 4Contested Elections

Poll to be taken by ballot

16. The votes at the poll must be given by ballot, the result must be ascertained by counting the votes given to each candidate, and the candidate to whom more votes have been given than to the other candidates must be declared to have been elected.

The ballot papers

17.—(1) The ballot of every voter must consist of a ballot paper that must be in the appropriate form.

(2) Each person remaining validly nominated for the election, after any withdrawals, and no other, is entitled to have their name inserted in the ballot paper.

(3) Every ballot paper—

(a)must [^F42, so far as practicable for the purposes of electronic counting,^F42] be printed in accordance with the directions set out in the Forms Schedule,

(b)must contain the names and other particulars of the candidates as shown in the statement of persons nominated,

(c)must have a number and other unique identifying mark printed on the back, and

(d)may, in the case of ballot papers for use at polling stations, be marked with the words “do not fold”.

(4) If a candidate who is the subject of a party's authorisation under rule 6(5) so requests, the ballot paper must contain, against the candidate's particulars, the party's registered emblem (or, as the case may be, one of the party's registered emblems).

[^F43(4A)If a candidate who is the subject of an authorisation by two or more parties under rule 6(7) so requests, the ballot paper must contain, against the candidate’s particulars, the registered emblem (or, as the case may be, one of the registered emblems) of one of those parties.^F43]

(5) The candidate's request under paragraph (4) [^F44or paragraph (4A)^F44] must—

(a)be made in writing to the CRO, and

(b)be received by him within the period for delivery of nomination papers set out in the timetable in rule 3.

(6) The order of the names in the ballot paper must be the same as in the statement of persons nominated.

(7) At an ordinary election, the GLRO must supply the ballot papers for use at the election to the CRO by such date as may be agreed between them.

(8) The ballot papers supplied under paragraph (7) must be of a different colour from those used at any other Authority election with which the election is taken.

The corresponding number list

18.—(1) The CRO must prepare a list containing the numbers and other unique identifying marks of all of the ballot papers to be issued by him in pursuance of rule 23(1) or provided by him in pursuance of rule 28(1).

(2) The list must be in the appropriate form or a form to like effect.

(3) At an ordinary election, the same list may be used for each Authority election.

The official mark

19.—(1) Every ballot paper must contain an appropriate security marking (the official mark).

(2) The official mark must be kept secret, and an interval of not less than five years must intervene between the use of the same official mark at any Authority election.

(3) The CRO, or at an ordinary election the GLRO, may use a different official mark for different purposes at the same election.

Prohibition of disclosure of vote

20. No person who has voted at the election may, in any legal proceeding to question the election, be required to state for whom he has voted.

Use of schools and public rooms

21.—(1) The CRO may use, free of charge, for the purpose of taking the poll or counting the votes—

(a)a room in a school maintained or assisted by a [^F45local authority (as defined in the Education Act 1996)^F45] or a school in respect of which grants are made out of moneys provided by Parliament to the person or body of persons responsible for the management of the school,

(b)a room the expense of maintaining which is met by any local authority.

(2) The CRO must make good any damage done to, and defray any expense incurred by the persons having control over, any such room as mentioned in paragraph (1) by reason of its being used for the purpose of taking the poll or counting the votes.

Notice of poll

22.—(1) The CRO must, in accordance with the timetable in rule 3, publish notice of the poll stating—

(a)the day and hours fixed for the poll, and

(b)the particulars of each candidate remaining validly nominated (the names and other particulars of the candidates, and the order of the candidates' names being the same as in the statement of persons nominated).

(2) The CRO must, not later than the time of the publication of the notice of the poll, also give public notice of—

(a)the situation of each polling station, and

(b)the description of voters entitled to vote there,

and he must as soon as practicable after giving such a notice give a copy of it to each of the election agents.

(3) At an ordinary election, the notice of poll must include the heading “GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY ELECTION”.

Postal ballot papers

^M2223.—(1) The CRO must, in accordance with regulations made under the 1983 Act , issue to those entitled to vote by post a ballot paper and a postal voting statement, together with such envelopes for their return as may be prescribed in such regulations.

(2) The postal voting statement must be in the appropriate form or a form to like effect.

(3) The postal voting statement must include provision for the form to be signed and for stating the date of birth of the elector or proxy (as the case may be).

(4) The CRO must also issue to those entitled to vote by post such information as he thinks appropriate about how to obtain—

(a)translations into languages other than English of any directions to or guidance for voters sent with the ballot paper,

(b)a translation into Braille of such directions or guidance,

(c)graphical representations of such directions or guidance,

(d)the directions or guidance in any other form (including any audible form).

(5) In the case of a ballot paper issued to a person at an address in the United Kingdom, the CRO must ensure that the return of the ballot paper and postal voting statement is free of charge to the voter.

(6) Where the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers at the election are taken together with any other Authority election the appropriate form of postal voting statement under paragraph (2) may be the joint postal voting statement which must be in the appropriate form or form to like effect.

Provision of polling stations

24.—(1) The CRO must provide a sufficient number of polling stations and, subject to the following provisions of this rule, must allot the electors to the polling stations in such manner as he thinks most convenient.

(2) One or more polling stations may be provided in the same room.

(3) The polling station allotted to electors from any parliamentary polling district wholly or partly within the Assembly constituency must, in the absence of special circumstances, be in the parliamentary polling place for that district, unless that place is outside the Assembly constituency.

(4) The CRO must provide each polling station with such number of compartments as may be necessary in which the voters can mark their votes screened from observation.

[^F46(5)The CRO must ensure that each polling station contains an area in which voters can produce proof of identity in private.^F46]

Appointment of presiding officers and clerks

25.—(1) The CRO must appoint and pay a presiding officer to attend at each polling station and such clerks and technical assistants as may be necessary for the purposes of the election, but he must not appoint any person who has been employed by or on behalf of a candidate in or about the election.

(2) The CRO may, if he thinks fit, preside at a polling station and the provisions of this Part relating to a presiding officer apply to a CRO so presiding with the necessary modifications as to things to be done by the CRO to the presiding officer or by the presiding officer to the CRO.

(3) A presiding officer may do, by the clerks appointed to assist him, any act (including the asking of questions) which he is required or authorised by this Part to do at a polling station [^F47except—

(a)order the arrest, exclusion or removal of any person from the polling station,

(b)refuse to deliver a ballot paper under rule 36(3) or rule 38(1E) (including that rule as applied by rule 39, 40 or 41), or

(c)resolve doubts over identity as mentioned in rule 38(1F) (including that paragraph as applied by rule 39, 40 or 41).^F47]

Issue of official poll cards

26.—(1) The CRO must as soon as practicable after the publication of the notice of election, send to electors and their proxies an official poll card.

(2) An elector's official poll card must be sent or delivered to his qualifying address, and a proxy's to his address as shown in the list of proxies.

(3) The official poll card must be in the appropriate form or a form to like effect, and must set out–

(a)the name of the Assembly constituency for which a constituency member is to be elected,

(b)the elector's name, qualifying address and number on the register,

(c)the date and hours of the poll and the situation of the elector's polling station, and

(d)such other information as the CRO thinks appropriate,

and different information may be provided in pursuance of sub-paragraph (d) to different electors or descriptions of elector.

(4) In the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, instead of containing the matter mentioned in paragraph (3)(b), the polling card must contain such matter as is specified in the appropriate form.

(5) At an ordinary election, the CRO must issue a combined poll card in the appropriate form.

(6) In this rule “elector” means—

(a)an elector with an entry on the register to be used at the election on the last day for the publication of the notice of the election, and

(b)includes a person then shown in the register as below voting age if (but only if) it appears from the register that he will be of voting age on the day fixed for the poll.

Information for voters

27.—(1) At an ordinary election, the GLRO may, in addition to a statement by him in an election booklet, include in the booklet information for voters that has been agreed by him with the Electoral Commission.

(2) The information for voters given in the election booklet may include information about—

(a)the office of the Mayor and the London Assembly,

(b)the system of voting at each Authority election,

(c)how to vote in a manner that will ensure a vote is regarded as validly cast, and

subject to paragraph (3), may include any other information given in exercise of the GLRO's duty under section 69 (encouraging electoral participation) of the 2006 Act.

(3) The information for voters must not contain—

(a)any advertising material,

(b)any material referring to a candidate or a registered party, other than by reproduction of a ballot paper which refers equally to all candidates and parties at the ordinary election,

(c)any material referring to the holder, at any time, of the office of Mayor or Assembly member, other than under paragraph (b) as a candidate at the ordinary election.

(4) Information published in an election booklet under this rule must be printed on not more than two sides of A5 paper.

Equipment of polling stations

28.—(1) The CRO must provide each presiding officer with—

(a)such ballot papers as may be necessary, and

(b)such ballot boxes as may be necessary having taken account of any direction made by the GLRO in accordance with paragraph (9).

(2) Every ballot box must be so constructed that the ballot papers can be put in it, but cannot be withdrawn from it, without the box being unlocked or, where the box has no lock, the seal being broken.

(3) The CRO must provide each polling station with—

(a)materials to enable voters to mark the ballot papers,

(b)copies of the register of electors for the Assembly constituency or such part of it as contains the entries relating to the electors allotted to the station,

(c)the parts of any special lists prepared for the election corresponding to the register of electors for the Assembly constituency or the part of it provided under sub-paragraph (b),

(d)a list consisting of that part of the list prepared under rule 18 which contains the numbers (but not the other unique identifying marks) corresponding to those on the ballot papers provided to the presiding officer of the polling station.

^M23(4) The reference in paragraph (3)(b) to the copies of the register of electors includes a reference to copies of any notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act in respect of alterations to the register.

[^F48(4A)The CRO must also provide each polling station with a ballot paper refusal list, in the appropriate form or a form to like effect, on which entries are to be made as mentioned in rule 42A (refusal to deliver ballot paper).^F48]

[^F49(5)The CRO must also provide each polling station with such equipment as it is reasonable to provide for the purposes of enabling, or making it easier for, relevant persons to vote independently in the manner directed by rule 38 (voting procedure), including in relation to voting secretly; and for this purpose “relevant persons” means persons who find it difficult or impossible to vote in that manner because of—

(a)blindness or partial sight, or

(b)another disability.

(5A)Paragraph (10) of rule 29 of Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act (Parliamentary elections rules: guidance to returning officers) applies for the purposes of paragraph (5) of this rule as it applies for the purposes of that rule, but as if—

(a)the reference in that paragraph to the returning officer were a reference to the CRO, and

(b)the reference in that paragraph to paragraph (3A)(b) were a reference to paragraph (5) of this rule.^F49]

^F50(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) The enlarged sample copies of the ballot paper that the CRO provides to, or causes to be displayed at, every polling station (in accordance with section 199B(5) and (7) of the 1983 Act) must be printed on paper of the same colour as the ballot paper at the election.

(8) The CRO must also provide each polling station with notices for the guidance of voters, which must be exhibited—

(a)outside the polling station,

(b)inside the polling station—

(i)in the communal areas, and

(ii)in every voting compartment.

[^F51(8A)A large notice must be displayed inside each polling station containing—

(a)details of the documents the voter needs to produce when applying for a ballot paper, namely—

(i)in the case of an elector (other than an elector with an anonymous entry) or a proxy, any of the forms of identification for the time being referred to in rule 37(1H) of the parliamentary election rules;

(ii)in the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, the elector’s official poll card and an anonymous elector’s document showing the same electoral number as the electoral number shown on the official poll card; and

(b)a statement that further proof of identity may be required to resolve any discrepancy between the name of the holder of a form of identification and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be.^F51]

(9) If the GLRO thinks fit he may, not later than the date of the notice of election, direct the CRO that joint ballot boxes must be used for the ballot papers at the election and any or all Authority elections with which the election is taken.

Notices for the guidance of voters

29.—(1) The CRO must prepare the notices to be exhibited under rule 28(8).

(2) The CRO may prepare versions of the notices in such other form as he thinks appropriate, in accordance with section 199B (translations etc of certain documents) of the 1983 Act.

(3) Notices for the guidance of voters exhibited under rule 28(8) or paragraph (2) must be in the appropriate form, but may include such alternative information relating to Authority elections as—

(a)meets with the requirements of the Notices Schedule, and

(b)the CRO may decide.

(4) Notices provided under paragraph (2) may, if the CRO agrees, be exhibited at any polling station—

(a)outside the polling station,

(b)inside the polling station—

(i)in the communal areas,

(ii)in every voting compartment.

(5) At an ordinary election, the GLRO must prepare the notices and versions of notices to be exhibited under rule 28(8) and supply them to the CRO, and for paragraph (3)(b) there must substituted—

“(b)the GLRO may decide.”

Appointment of polling and counting agents

30.—(1) Before the commencement of the poll, each candidate may appoint—

(a)polling agents to attend at polling stations for the purpose of detecting personation, and

(b)counting agents to attend at the counting of votes.

(2) The same person may be appointed as a polling agent or counting agent by more than one candidate.

(3) For the count, one (but no more than one) counting agent of each candidate may be authorised by the terms of his appointment to require a re-count at that count.

(4) Not more than four polling agents, or such greater number as the CRO may by notice allow, may be permitted to attend at any particular polling station.

(5) If the number of such agents appointed to attend at a particular polling station exceeds that number, the CRO must determine by lot which agents are permitted to attend, and only the agents on whom the lot falls will be deemed to have been duly appointed.

(6) The CRO may limit the number of counting agents, but in doing so must ensure that—

(a)the number is the same in the case of each candidate, and

(b)the number allowed to a candidate must not (except in special circumstances) be less than the number obtained by dividing the number of clerks employed on the counting by the number of candidates.

(7) For the purposes of the calculations required by paragraph (6), a counting agent who has been appointed by more than one candidate is a separate agent for each of the candidates by whom he has been appointed.

(8) Notice in writing of the appointment of polling and counting agents, stating the names and addresses of the persons appointed, must be given by the candidate to the CRO and must be so given not later than the fifth day (computed in accordance with rule 4) before the day of the poll.

(9) If an agent dies, or becomes incapable of acting, the candidate may appoint another agent in his place, and must forthwith give to the CRO notice in writing of the name and address of the agent appointed.

(10) Any appointment authorised by this rule may be made and the notice of appointment given to the CRO by the candidate's election agent, instead of by the candidate.

(11) In the following provisions of this Part references to polling agents and counting agents must be taken as references to agents—

(a)whose appointments have been duly made and notified, and

(b)where the number of agents is restricted, who are within the permitted numbers.

(12) Any notice required to be given to a counting agent by the CRO may be delivered at, or sent by post to, the address stated in the notice of appointment.

(13) A candidate may himself do any act or thing which any polling or counting agent of his, if appointed, would have been authorised to do, or may assist his agent in doing any such act or thing.

(14) A candidate's election agent may do or assist in doing anything which a polling or counting agent of his is authorised to do; and anything required or authorised by these Rules to be done in the presence of the polling or counting agent may be done in the presence of a candidate's election agent instead of his polling agent or counting agent.

(15) Where by these Rules any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the polling or counting agents, the non-attendance of any agent or agents at the time and place appointed for the purpose will not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.

Notification of requirement of secrecy

31.[^F52—(1)^F52] The CRO must make such arrangements as he thinks fit to ensure that—

(a)^M24every person attending a polling station (otherwise than for the purpose of voting or assisting a voter with disabilities to vote or as a constable on duty there) has been given a copy of the provisions of subsections (1), (3) and (6) of section 66 (requirement of secrecy) of the 1983 Act , and

(b)every person attending at the counting of the votes (other than any constable on duty at the counting) has been given a copy of the provisions of subsections (2) and (6) of that section.

[^F53(2)In paragraph (1) a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the 2002 Act (police powers for employees).^F53]

Return of postal ballot papers

32.—(1) Where—

(a)a postal vote has been returned in respect of a person who is entered on the postal voters list, or

(b)a proxy postal vote has been returned in respect of a proxy who is entered on the proxy postal voters list,

^M25the CRO must mark the list in the manner prescribed by regulations made under the 1983 Act .

(2) Rule 49(2) does not apply for the purpose of determining whether, for the purposes of this rule, a postal vote or a proxy postal vote is returned.

Admission to polling station

33.—(1) The presiding officer must exclude all persons from the polling station except—

(a)voters,

(b)persons under the age of 18 who accompany voters to the polling station,

(c)the candidates and their election agents,

(d)the polling agents appointed to attend at the polling station,

(e)the clerks appointed to attend at the polling station,

(f)persons who are entitled to attend by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the 2000 Act,

(g)the constables on duty, and

(h)the companions of voters with disabilities.

(2) The presiding officer must regulate the total number of voters and persons under the age of 18 who accompany them to be admitted to the polling station at the same time.

(3) Not more than one polling agent may be admitted at the same time to a polling station on behalf of the same candidate.

(4) A constable or person employed by the CRO must not be admitted to vote in person elsewhere than at his own polling station allotted to him under these Rules, except on production and surrender of a certificate as to his employment which must be in the appropriate form and signed by an officer of the police of or above the rank of inspector or by the CRO, as the case may be.

(5) Any certificate surrendered under this rule must forthwith be cancelled.

[^F54(6)In this rule a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the 2002 Act.^F54]

Keeping of order in station

34.—(1) It is the presiding officer's duty to keep order at his polling station.

(2) If a person misconducts himself in a polling station, or fails to obey the presiding officer's lawful orders, he may immediately, by the presiding officer's order, be removed from the polling station—

(a)by a constable in or near that station, or

(b)by any other person authorised in writing by the CRO to remove him,

and the person so removed must not, without the presiding officer's permission, again enter the polling station during the day.

(3) Any person so removed may, if charged with the commission in the polling station of an offence, be dealt with as a person taken into custody by a constable for an offence without a warrant.

(4) The powers conferred by this rule must not be exercised so as to prevent a voter who is otherwise entitled to vote at a polling station from having an opportunity of voting at that station.

Sealing of ballot boxes

35. Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding officer must—

(a)show each ballot box, empty, to such persons, if any, as are present in the polling station, so that they may see that the boxes are empty,

(b)lock up such of the boxes as have locks,

(c)place his seal—

(i)on each lock, and

(ii)on each ballot box which has no lock,

in such a manner as to prevent its being opened without breaking the seal,

(d)place each box in his view for the receipt of ballot papers, and

(e)keep each box locked and sealed or, as the case may be, sealed.

Questions to be put to voters

36.—(1) At the time of the application (but not afterwards), the questions specified in the second column of the following table—

(a)may be put by the presiding officer to a person who is mentioned in the first column, and

(b)must be put if the letter “R” appears after the question and the candidate or his election or polling agent requires the question to be put.

(2) In the case of an elector in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, the references in the questions at entries 1(a) and 3(a), (b) and (c) to reading from the register must be taken as references to reading from the notice issued under those subsections.

[^F56(2A)Where a clerk—

(a)gives a person the required information (see paragraph (5)),

(b)puts a question specified in paragraph (1) to the person, and

(c)decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily,

the clerk must refer the matter to the presiding officer, who must put the question to the person again.^F56]

[^F57(3)Where the presiding officer—

(a)gives a person the required information,

(b)puts a question specified in paragraph (1) to the person (whether or not following a referral under paragraph (2A)), and

(c)decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily,

the officer must refuse to deliver a ballot paper to the person (and see rule 42A (procedure where ballot paper is refused under this paragraph)).

(3A)For the purposes of the rule, a person answers the question “What is your name?” or “What is your address?” satisfactorily if—

(a)where one of those questions is put, the answer matches a name or address (as the case may be) in the register;

(b)where both those questions are put, the answers match a name and address in that register that relate to the same person.

(3B)In the case of an elector in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, the references to the register in paragraph (3A) are to be read as references to the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D).^F57]

(4) Except as authorised by this rule, no inquiry may be permitted as to the right of any person to vote[^F58(and for the purposes of this paragraph, an inquiry relating to the production of identification by a voter is not to be regarded as an inquiry as to the right of the person to vote)^F58] .

[^F59(5)For the purposes of this rule, a person to whom any question is to be put is given “the required information” if the person is first informed that—

(a)a ballot paper will be refused if the person fails to answer each question satisfactorily, and

(b)giving false information may be an offence.^F59]

Challenge of voter

37. A person must not be prevented from voting because—

(a)a candidate or his election or polling agent declares that he has reasonable cause to believe that the person has committed an offence of personation, or

(b)the person is arrested on the grounds that he is suspected of committing or of being about to commit such an offence.

Voting procedure

38.—(1)[^F60Subject to rule 36(3) and to paragraphs (1A) to (1M), a^F60] ballot paper must be delivered to a voter who applies for one, and immediately before delivery—

^F61(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)the number of the elector must be marked on the list mentioned in rule 28(3)(d) beside the number of the ballot paper to be issued to him,

(c)a mark must be placed in the register of electors against the number of the elector to note that a ballot paper has been applied for but without showing the particular ballot paper which may be delivered,

(d)in the case of a person applying for a ballot paper as proxy, a mark must also be placed against his name in the list of proxies.

[^F62(1A)A ballot paper must not be delivered to a voter unless the voter produces a specified document to the presiding officer or a clerk.

(1B)The presiding officer or clerk must arrange for the voter to produce any document in a private area of the polling station if the voter so requests, and, in such a case, must ensure that no other persons witness the production except as permitted by the voter.

(1C)Paragraph (1D) applies in relation to a voter where—

(a)the voter produces a specified document to a clerk and the clerk decides that the document raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or

(b)the voter produces a document to a clerk that the clerk reasonably suspects to be a forged document.

(1D)Where this paragraph applies, the clerk must refer the matter and produce the document to the presiding officer, who must proceed as if the voter had produced the document to the presiding officer in the first place.

(1E)The presiding officer must refuse to deliver a ballot paper to a voter where—

(a)the voter produces a specified document to the officer and the officer decides that the document raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or

(b)the voter produces a document to the officer that the officer reasonably suspects to be a forged document.

(1F)Paragraph (1E)(a) does not apply where—

(a)a discrepancy between the name of the holder of a specified document and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be is resolved to the presiding officer’s satisfaction at the time of the application by the voter producing further proof of identity, and

(b)the presiding officer has no other reason (arising from any document produced by the voter) to doubt that the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be.

(1G)The refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under paragraph (1E) does not prevent the voter making a further application under paragraph (1), and paragraphs (1A) to (1F) apply on any further application.

(1H)In this rule, a “forged document” means a false document made to resemble a specified document.

(1I)In this rule, a “specified document”—

(a)except in the case of a voter who has an anonymous entry in the register of electors, means a document which for the time being falls within the list specified in rule 37(1H) of the parliamentary election rules;

(b)in the case of a voter who has an anonymous entry in the register of electors, means an anonymous elector’s document which—

(i)was issued by the registration officer for the local authority in whose area the election is held, and

(ii)contains the number—

(aa)allocated to the voter as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(bb)where an entry relating to the voter is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(1J)Subject to paragraph (1K), a reference in this rule to a document that is a specified document is a reference to the document regardless of any expiry date relating to it.

(1K)Paragraph (1J) does not apply to a temporary electoral identity document where the date of the poll for the election is after the date for which the document is issued.

(1L)No person other than the presiding officer or a clerk may inspect a document produced as proof of a voter’s identity, except as permitted by the voter.

(1M)References in this rule to producing a document are to producing it for inspection.^F62]

^F63(2) In the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, he must show the presiding officer his official poll card ....

(3) In the case of an elector who is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, paragraph (1) is modified as follows—

^F64(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)in sub-paragraph (c), for “in the register of electors” substitute “on the copy of the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(4) The voter, on receiving the ballot paper, must forthwith proceed into one of the compartments in the polling station and there secretly mark his paper, and must then show to the presiding officer the back of the paper, so as to disclose the number and other unique identifying mark, and put the ballot paper into the ballot box in the presiding officer's presence, but so as to conceal his vote.

(5) The voter must vote without undue delay, and must leave the polling station as soon as he has put his ballot paper into the ballot box.

(6) A voter who has had a ballot paper delivered to him under paragraph (1), but has decided not to mark it, may return it to the presiding officer and where the voter does so, the presiding officer must—

(a)immediately cancel the ballot paper, and for the purposes of these rules treat it as a spoilt ballot paper,

(b)place a mark beside the number of that ballot paper on the corresponding number list to show that the ballot paper has been cancelled.

(7) At an ordinary election, the same copy of—

(a)the list of proxies,

(b)the list mentioned in rule 28(3)(d),

(c)the register of electors,

(d)any notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act (marked in the case of an elector who is added to the register in pursuance of such a notice),

may be used for each Authority election and one mark may be placed in the list, register or notice (as the case may be) to denote that a ballot paper has been delivered in respect of each Authority election; except that, where a ballot paper has not been issued in respect of any Authority election, a different mark must be placed in the list, register or notice so as to identify the elections in respect of which a ballot paper was issued.

[^F65(8)A voter who at the close of the poll is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of voting must (despite the close of the poll) be entitled to apply for a ballot paper under paragraph (1); and these rules apply in relation to such a voter accordingly.^F65]

Votes marked by presiding officer

39.—(1)[^F66Subject to paragraph (1A), the^F66] presiding officer, on the application of a voter—

(a)who is incapacitated by blindness or other disability from voting in the manner directed by these Rules, or

(b)who declares orally that he is unable to read,

must, in the presence of the polling agents, cause the voter's vote to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the voter, and the ballot paper to be placed in the ballot box.

[^F67(1A)Paragraphs (1A) to (1M) of rule 38 apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) of this rule as those paragraphs apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 38(1), but as if—

(a)references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to causing a voter’s vote to be marked on a ballot paper, and

(b)in rule 38(1G), the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 38 were to paragraph (1) of this rule.^F67]

(2) The name and number on the register of electors of every voter whose vote is marked in pursuance of this rule, and the reason why it is so marked, must be entered on a list (in these Rules called “the list of votes marked by the presiding officer”). In the case of a person voting as proxy for an elector, the number to be entered together with the voter's name must be the elector's number.

^M26(3) In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act , paragraph (2) applies as if for “on the register of electors of every voter” there were substituted “relating to every voter in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(4) At an ordinary election, the same list may be used for each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that the ballot papers were so marked in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which the ballot paper was so marked.

Voting by persons with disabilities

40.—(1) If a voter makes an application to the presiding officer to be allowed, on the ground of—

(a)blindness or other disability, or

(b)inability to read,

to vote with the assistance of another person by whom he is accompanied (in these Rules referred to as “the companion”), the presiding officer must require the voter to declare, orally or in writing, whether he is so incapacitated by his blindness or other disability, or by his inability to read, as to be unable to vote without assistance.

(2)[^F68Subject to paragraph (2A), if^F68] the presiding officer–

(a)is satisfied that the voter is so incapacitated, and

(b)is also satisfied by a written declaration made by the companion (in these Rules referred to as “the declaration made by the companion of a voter with disabilities”) that the companion—

(i)is a qualified person within the meaning of these Rules, and

(ii)has not previously assisted more than one voter with disabilities to vote at the election,

the presiding officer must grant the application, and then anything which is by these Rules required to be done to, or by that voter in connection with the giving of his vote may be done to, or with the assistance of, the companion.

[^F69(2A)Paragraphs (1A) to (1M) of rule 38 apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) of this rule as those paragraphs apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 38(1), but as if—

(a)references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to granting a voter’s application, and

(b)in rule 38(1G), the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 38 were to paragraph (1) of this rule.^F69]

(3) For the purpose of these Rules, a person is a voter with disabilities if he has made such a declaration as is mentioned in paragraph (1) above, and a person may be qualified to assist a voter with disabilities to vote[^F70if that person is aged 18 or over.^F70]

(4) The name and number in the register of electors of every voter whose vote is given in accordance with this rule and the name and address of the companion must be entered on a list (in these Rules referred to as the “list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions”). In the case of a person voting as proxy for an elector, the number to be entered together with the voter's name must be the elector's number.

(5) In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, paragraph (4) applies as if for “in the register of electors of every voter” there were substituted “relating to every voter in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(6) The declaration made by the companion—

(a)must be in the appropriate form,

(b)must be made before the presiding officer at the time when the voter applies to vote with the assistance of a companion, and

(c)must forthwith be given to the presiding officer who must attest and retain it.

(7) No fee or other payment may be charged in respect of the declaration.

(8) At an ordinary election, the same list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions may be used for each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that the votes were so given in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which the vote was so given.

Tendered ballot papers: circumstances where available

41.—(1) If a person, representing himself to be—

(a)a particular elector named in the register and not named in the absent voters list, or

(b)a particular person named in the list of proxies as proxy for an elector and not entitled to vote by post as proxy,

applies for a ballot paper after another person has voted in person either as the elector or his proxy, the applicant must, on satisfactorily answering the questions permitted by law to be asked at the poll, be entitled, subject to the following provisions of this rule and rule 42, to mark a ballot paper (in these Rules referred to as “a tendered ballot paper”) in the same manner as any other voter.

(2) Paragraph (4) applies if—

(a)a person applies for a ballot paper representing himself to be a particular elector named in the register,

(b)he is also named in the postal voters list, and

(c)he claims that he did not make an application to vote by post at the election.

(3) Paragraph (4) also applies if—

(a)a person applies for a ballot paper representing himself to be a particular person named as a proxy in the list of proxies,

(b)he is also named in the proxy postal voters list, and

(c)he claims that he did not make an application to vote by post as proxy.

(4) The person must, on satisfactorily answering the questions permitted by law to be asked at the poll, be entitled, subject to the following provisions of this rule and rule 42, to mark a ballot paper (in these Rules referred to as a “tendered ballot paper”) in the same manner as any other voter.

(5) Paragraph (6) applies if before the close of the poll but after the last time at which a person may apply for a replacement postal ballot paper, a person represents himself to be—

(a)a particular elector named in the register who is also named in the postal voters list, or

(b)a particular person named as a proxy in the list of proxies and who is also named in the proxy postal voters list,

and claims that he has lost or has not received his postal ballot paper.

(6) The person must, on satisfactorily answering the questions permitted by law to be asked at the poll, be entitled, subject to the provisions of this rule and rule 42, to mark a ballot paper (in these Rules referred to as a “tendered ballot paper”) in the same manner as any other voter.

[^F71(7)Paragraphs (1A) to (1M) of rule 38 apply in the case of a person who seeks to mark a tendered ballot paper under this rule as they apply in the case of a voter who applies for a ballot paper under rule 38(1), but as if, in rule 38(1G) the reference to making a further application under paragraph (1) of rule 38 were to seeking a further time to mark a tendered ballot paper under the paragraph of this rule under which the first such attempt was made.^F71]

Tendered ballot papers: general provisions

42.—(1) A tendered ballot paper must—

(a)be of a colour differing from the other ballot papers,

(b)instead of being put into the ballot box, be given to the presiding officer and endorsed by him with the name of the voter and his number on the register of electors, and set aside in a separate packet.

(2) The name of the voter and his number on the register of electors must be entered on a list (in these Rules referred to as the “tendered votes list”).

(3) In the case of a person voting as proxy for an elector, the number to be endorsed or entered together with the voter's name must be the number of that elector.

(4) In the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, this rule and rule 41 apply subject to the following modifications—

(a)in paragraphs (1)(b) and (2) above, the references to the name of the voter must be ignored,

(b)otherwise, a reference to a person named on a register or list must be construed as a reference to a person whose number appears in the register or list (as the case may be).

(5) In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, this rule and rule 41 apply as if—

(a)in rule 41(1)(a), (2)(a) and (5)(a), for “named in the register” there were substituted “in respect of whom a notice under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act has been issued”,

(b)in paragraph (1)(b) of this rule for “his number in the register of electors” there were substituted “the number relating to him on a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”,

(c)in paragraph (2) of this rule, for “his number in the register of electors” there were substituted “the number relating to him on a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(6) At an ordinary election, the same list may be used for each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that tendered ballot papers were marked in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which a tendered ballot paper was delivered.

[^F72Refusal to deliver ballot paper

42A.—(1)Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as an elector, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a)the voter’s electoral number, and

(b)against that number, the reason for the refusal.

(2)Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as a proxy, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a)the name and address of the voter, and

(b)against those details, the reason for the refusal.

(3)Paragraphs (4) and (5) apply where—

(a)a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under rule 38(1E), and

(b)the voter makes a further application as permitted by rule 38(1G).

(4)If a ballot paper is delivered to the voter following that application, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(5)If the presiding officer again refuses to deliver a ballot paper to the voter, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(6)Entries required by this rule to be made on the ballot paper refusal list must be made as soon as practicable after delivery of a ballot paper to a voter is refused (or, in the case mentioned in paragraph (4), as soon as practicable after the delivery of a ballot paper to a voter).

(7)For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a)allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b)where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(8)Subject to rule 38(1G) and paragraph (9), a refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.

(9)A refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is subject to review on an election petition.

(10)In this rule—

(a)except in paragraph (3)(a), any reference to the refusal to deliver a ballot paper (however expressed) is to the refusal to do so under rule 36(3) or 38(1E), and

(b)any reference to paragraph (1E) or (1G) of rule 38 includes a reference to that paragraph as applied by rule 39, 40 or 41.^F72]

Spoilt and replacement ballot papers

43.—(1) A voter who has inadvertently dealt with his ballot paper in such manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot paper may, on delivering it to the presiding officer and proving to his satisfaction the fact of the inadvertence, obtain a replacement for the ballot paper so delivered (in these Rules referred to as “a spoilt ballot paper”), and the spoilt ballot paper must be immediately cancelled.

(2) If a voter decides, after he has returned his ballot paper and it has been cancelled in accordance with rule 38(6), but before the close of the poll, that he wishes to vote in the election, he may obtain a replacement for the returned ballot paper.

(3) Before a replacement ballot paper is obtained, the presiding officer must mark the corresponding number list that was marked under rule 39(1) (the corresponding number list)—

(a)in the case of a ballot paper being replaced under paragraph (1) or (2), beside the number of the replacement ballot paper obtained to show—

(i)the number of the elector, and

(ii)the number of the ballot paper which is being replaced; and

(b)in the case of a ballot paper being replaced under paragraph (1), beside the number of the spoilt ballot paper to show that the ballot paper was replaced.

(4) At an ordinary election, the voter must only receive a replacement for a spoilt or returned ballot paper.

(5) If the same corresponding number list is used for more than one Authority election in accordance with rule 38(7)—

(a)the marks made under paragraph (3) must identify the election for which a ballot paper has been replaced, and

(b)any ballot paper which the voter has not applied for or obtained as a replacement, but which bears the same ballot paper number as a ballot paper delivered under rule 38(1), or obtained under paragraph (1) or (2) of this rule—

(i)must not be delivered to the voter,

(ii)must be cancelled, and

(iii)for the purposes of these rules, must be treated as a spoilt ballot paper.

Correction of errors on day of poll

44.—(1) The presiding officer must keep a list of persons to whom ballot papers are delivered in consequence of an alteration to the register made by virtue of section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act which takes effect on the day of the poll.

(2) At an ordinary election, the same list may be used for each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that ballot papers were delivered in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which a tendered ballot paper was delivered.

[^F73Collection and disclosure of information relating to applications made under rules 38 to 41

44A.—(1)This rule applies in relation to an election to which the Secretary of State’s duty under section 59A(4) of the 1983 Act (reports on voter identification requirements in respect of local government elections) applies.

(2)The presiding officer must—

(a)collect the information described in regulation 34 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collection of information by presiding officer) relating to applications made under rules 38(1), 39(1), 40(1) or 41(1), and

(b)provide that information to the returning officer as soon as practicable after the close of the poll.

(3)The returning officer must forward the information to the relevant registration officer.

(4)As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the information the relevant registration officer must—

(a)anonymise the information by removing from it all names and electoral numbers of the people to whom the information relates, and

(b)collate the information in accordance with regulation 35 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collation of information by relevant registration officer).

The information as anonymised and collated in accordance with this paragraph is referred to in the rest of this rule as “the paragraph (4) information”.

(5)The relevant registration officer must provide the paragraph (4) information—

(a)to the Secretary of State, as soon as reasonably practicable after taking the steps required by paragraph (4), and

(b)where they request the information, to the Electoral Commission.

(6)The relevant registration officer must not disclose the paragraph (4) information otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (5).

(7)The relevant registration officer must retain the information anonymised in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) for at least 10 years.

(8)For the purpose of paragraph (4)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a)allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b)where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(9)Except as provided by paragraph (10), a disclosure of information under this rule does not breach—

(a)any obligation of confidence owed by the presiding officer, the returning officer or a registration officer, or

(b)any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(10)Nothing in this rule authorises the making of a disclosure that contravenes the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, the duties imposed by paragraphs (2) and (3) are to be taken into account).

(11)In this rule, “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018.^F73]

Adjournment of poll in case of riot

45.—(1) Where the proceedings at any polling station are interrupted or obstructed by riot or open violence, the presiding officer must adjourn the proceedings till the following day and must forthwith inform the CRO.

(2) Where the poll is adjourned at any polling station—

(a)the hours of polling on the day to which it is adjourned must be the same as for the original day, and

(b)references in these Rules to the close of the poll must be construed accordingly.

(3) As soon as practicable after being informed of the adjournment of a poll, the CRO must inform the GLRO of that fact and of the cause of its adjournment.

Procedure on close of poll

46.—(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the presiding officer must, in the presence of the polling agents, make up into separate packets, sealed with his own seal and the seals of such polling agents as desire to affix their seals—

(a)each ballot box in use at the station, sealed so as to prevent the introduction of additional ballot papers and unopened, but with any key attached,

(b)the unused and spoilt ballot papers placed together,

(c)the tendered ballot papers,

(d)the marked copies of the register of electors (including any marked copy notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act) and of the list of proxies,

[^F74(da)the ballot paper refusal list completed in accordance with rule 42A,^F74]

(e)the list prepared under rule 18, including the part completed in accordance with rule 38(1)(b) (together referred to in these Rules as “the completed corresponding number list”),

(f)the certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll,

(g)the tendered votes list, the list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions, the list of votes marked by the presiding officer, a statement of the number of voters whose votes are so marked by the presiding officer under the heads “disability” and “unable to read”, the list maintained under rule 44, and the declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities,

and must deliver the packets or cause them to be delivered to the CRO to be taken charge of by him; but if the packets are not delivered by the presiding officer personally to the CRO, the arrangements for their delivery must be approved by the CRO.

(2) The contents of the packets referred to in paragraph (1)(b), (c) and (f) must not be combined with the contents of the packets made under the corresponding rule that applies at any other Authority election.

(3) The marked copies of the register of electors and of the list of proxies must be in one packet but must not be in the same packet as the completed corresponding number list or the certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll.

(4) The packets must be accompanied by a statement (“the ballot paper account”) showing the number of ballot papers entrusted to the presiding officer, and accounting for them under the heads—

(a)ballot papers issued and not otherwise accounted for,

(b)unused ballot papers,

(c)spoilt ballot papers, and

(d)tendered ballot papers.

(5) At an ordinary election, the statement referred to in paragraph (4) may be combined with the statements produced in relation to other Authority elections and the combined statement must be arranged in such manner as the GLRO may direct.

Attendance at verification and the counting of votes

47.—(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the CRO must make arrangements for carrying out, in the presence of the counting agents, the verification and counting of votes at the election and must give to the counting agents notice in writing of the time and place at which he will begin to verify and count the votes.

(2) No person other than—

(a)the CRO and his clerks and technical assistants,

(b)the GLRO,

(c)the candidates and one other person chosen by each of them,

(d)the election agents,

(e)the counting agents,

(f)persons who are entitled to attend by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the 2000 Act,

may be present at the verification and counting of the votes, unless permitted by the CRO to attend.

(3) A person not entitled to attend at the verification and counting of the votes must not be permitted to do so by the CRO unless the CRO—

(a)is satisfied that the efficient conduct of those proceedings will not be impeded, and

(b)has either consulted the candidates or thought it impracticable to do so.

(4) The CRO must give the counting agents all such reasonable facilities for overseeing the proceedings, and all such information with respect to them, as he can give them consistently with the orderly conduct of the proceedings and the discharge of his duties in connection with them.

Use of the electronic counting system

48.—(1) The GLRO may provide the CRO with an electronic counting system consisting of computer hardware, software and other equipment or services, for the purpose of counting the number of ballot papers, to verify the ballot paper accounts and to count the votes cast on them.

(2) Any verification of ballot paper accounts, count or re-count at the election conducted using the electronic counting system must be conducted in accordance with rule 49.

(3) If the GLRO has provided the CRO with an electronic counting system for use at the election, the CRO must obtain the prior written consent of the GLRO before he may conduct the verification of ballot paper accounts or count the votes manually.

(4) If the verification of ballot paper accounts, count or re-count has commenced using the electronic counting system but has not been completed, the CRO may, if he considers it appropriate, discontinue the count and instead count the votes manually.

(5) Where the count or a re-count has been conducted using the electronic counting system, the CRO may, if he considers it appropriate, conduct any re-count without using that system.

(6) Where verification or any count or re-count is conducted using the electronic counting system, any of the steps referred to rule 49, in so far as practicable, may be undertaken—

(a)concurrently with any other of those steps, or

(b)in a different order.

Verification and the count

49.—(1) The CRO must—

(a)open the ballot boxes from each polling station together, in the presence of the counting agents appointed for the purposes of the election and any other Authority election with which is its combined,

(b)cause the electronic counting system to count such of the postal ballot papers as have been duly returned in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) and record separately the number counted,

(c)not mix the contents of any ballot box with the contents of any other ballot box during the conduct of any count or re-count.

(2) A postal ballot paper must not be taken to be duly returned unless—

(a)it is returned in the manner set out in paragraph (3) and reaches the CRO or any polling station in the Assembly constituency that includes the electoral area for which the elector is registered as a local government elector, before the close of the poll,

(b)the postal voting statement, duly signed, is also returned in the manner set out in paragraph (3) and reaches him or such polling station before that time,

(c)the postal voting statement also states the date of birth of the elector or proxy (as the case may be), and

(d)^M27in a case where the steps for verifying the date of birth and signature of an elector or proxy have been prescribed by regulations made under the 1983 Act , the CRO (having taken such steps) verifies the date of birth and signature of the elector or proxy (as the case may be).

(3) The manner in which any postal paper or postal voting statement may be returned—

(a)to the CRO, is by hand or by post,

(b)to a polling station in the Assembly constituency, is by hand.

[^F75(3A)A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement that reaches the CRO or a polling station mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (2) at or after the close of the poll is treated for the purposes of paragraph (2) as reaching that officer or polling station before the close of the poll if it is delivered by a person who, at the close of the poll, is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of returning it.^F75]

(4) After completing the proceedings under paragraph (1), the CRO must cause the electronic counting system to process the ballot papers so as to count—

(a)the number of ballot papers, and

(b)votes given on the ballot papers.

(5) The CRO must not cause the electronic counting system to count any tendered ballot paper.

(6) The CRO must verify each ballot paper account by comparing it with the number of ballot papers processed by the electronic counting system, and the unused and spoilt ballot papers in his possession and the tendered votes list (opening and resealing the packets containing the unused and spoilt ballot papers and the tendered votes list) and must draw up a statement as to the result of the verification, which any election agent may copy.

(7) The CRO, while verifying the ballot paper accounts and counting the votes, must take all proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the numbers printed on the back of the papers.

(8) The CRO must so far as practicable proceed continuously with counting the votes, allowing only time for refreshment, except that the hours between 5 in the afternoon and 10 on the following morning may be excluded.

(9) At an ordinary election, the hours between 5 in the afternoon and 10 on the following morning may only be excluded with the prior consent of the GLRO.

(10) During the time so excluded the CRO must—

(a)place the ballot papers and other documents relating to the election under his own seal and the seals of such of the counting agents as desire to affix their seals, and

(b)otherwise take proper precautions for the security of the papers and documents.

Rejected ballot papers

50.—(1) Any ballot paper—

(a)which does not bear the official mark,

(b)on which votes are given for more than one candidate,

(c)on which anything is written or marked by which the voter can be identified except the printed number and other unique identifying mark on the back,

(d)which is unmarked, or

(e)which is void for uncertainty,

is, subject to paragraph (2), void and must not be counted.

(2) A ballot paper on which the vote is marked–

(a)elsewhere than in the proper place, or

(b)otherwise than by means of a cross, or

(c)by more than one mark,

must not for such reason be void if an intention that the vote be given for one only of the candidates clearly appears, and the way the paper is marked does not itself identify the voter and it is not shown that he can be identified by it.

(3) Where the electronic counting system identifies a ballot paper that has been marked, but which appears for whatever reason to be void, it must be examined by a clerk appointed by the CRO in the manner referred to in paragraph (6).

(4) If the clerk, having examined the ballot, considers that the vote is void then the CRO must examine it in the manner referred to in paragraph (6).

(5) After the CRO examines the ballot paper, he must give his decision as to the validity of the vote.

(6) An examination under paragraph (3) or (4) is to be made by the clerk or CRO examining an image of the ballot paper which is shown on a screen so as to be visible to those attending the count.

(7) The CRO may examine any ballot paper that he is not required to examine in accordance with paragraph (4)—

(a)either in the manner referred to in paragraph (6), or

(b)by examining a paper copy,

and where the CRO does so, he must give a decision on that paper in accordance with paragraph (5).

(8) No person attending the count is to be entitled to require the clerk or CRO to examine a ballot paper or to provide a paper copy for inspection.

(9) A record of the CRO's decision must be retained in the electronic counting system together with, in the case of a decision that the ballot paper is void, his reasons by reference to paragraph (1).

(10) If a counting agent objects to the CRO's decision the CRO must record on the electronic counting system that the decision was objected to.

(11) The CRO must draw up a statement showing the number of ballot papers rejected under the several heads of—

(a)want of an official mark,

(b)voting for more than one candidate,

(c)writing or mark by which the voter could be identified,

(d)unmarked ballot paper, or

(e)void for uncertainty.

(12) As soon as practicable after the completion of the statement under paragraph (11) the CRO must inform—

(a)such candidates, election agents and counting agents as are present at the count, and

(b)the GLRO,

of its contents.

Decisions on ballot papers

51. The decision of the CRO on any question arising in respect of a ballot paper will be final, but may be subject to review on an election petition.

Re-count

52.—(1) A candidate or his election agent or a counting agent authorised under rule 30(3) may, if present when the counting or any re-count of the votes, is completed, require the CRO to have the votes re-counted or again re-counted but the CRO may refuse to do so if in his opinion the request is unreasonable.

(2) No step may be taken on the completion of the counting or any re-count of votes until the candidates and election agents present at its completion have been given a reasonable opportunity to exercise the right conferred by this rule.

(3) The CRO may determine the extent to which any re-count involves the electronic counting of votes.

(4) When the returning officer uses the electronic counting system for the re-counting of votes, he must not re-consider any decision made on any ballot paper under rule 50(5).

Equality of votes

53. Where, after the counting of the votes (including any re-count) is completed, an equality of votes is found to exist between any candidates and the addition of a vote would entitle any of those candidates to be declared elected, the CRO must forthwith decide between those candidates by lot, and proceed as if the candidate on whom the lot falls had received an additional vote.

PART 5Final Proceedings In Contested And Uncontested Elections

Declaration of result

54.—(1) In a contested election, when the result of the poll has been ascertained, the CRO must forthwith—

(a)declare to be elected the candidate to whom the majority of votes has been given,

(b)give public notice of—

(i)the name of the person declared to be elected,

(ii)the person's authorised description, if any, within the meaning of rule 6(5) or (7),

(iii)the total number of votes given for each candidate together with the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the statement of rejected ballot papers.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), after the CRO complies with paragraph (1), he may give public notice of the information referred to paragraph (1)(b)(iii) so as to set out the number of votes falling under each of the heads in that subparagraph, in respect of each ward.

^F76(3) Where the sum of ... votes given for all candidates in any ward does not exceed 500, the GLRO must not give notice under paragraph (2) in respect of that ward alone, but must amalgamate the figures for that ward with those for any other ward in which more than 500 votes have been given, in the same Assembly constituency.

(4) In an uncontested election, the CRO must as soon as practicable after the latest time for the delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature—

(a)declare to be elected the candidate remaining validly nominated,

(b)give public notice of—

(i)the name of the person declared to be elected, and

(ii)the person's authorised description, if any, within the meaning of rule 6(5) or (7).

(5) The CRO must as soon as practicable notify the GLRO and the proper officer of the Authority of the information in the notice given under (1)(b).

Return or forfeiture of candidate's deposit

55.—(1) Unless forfeited in accordance with paragraph (5), the deposit made under rule 8 must be returned to the person making it or his personal representative.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the deposit must be returned not later than the next day after that on which the result of the election is declared.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

(a)a day must be disregarded if, in accordance with rule 4, it would be disregarded in computing any period of time for the purposes of the timetable for the election, and

(b)the deposit must be treated as being returned on a day if a cheque for the amount of the deposit is posted on that day.

(4) If the candidate is not shown as standing nominated in the statement of persons nominated, or if the poll is countermanded or abandoned by reason of his death, the deposit must be returned as soon as practicable after the publication of the statement or after his death, as the case may be.

(5) Where a poll is taken, if, after the counting of the votes by the CRO (including any re-count) is completed, the candidate is found not to have polled more than one-twentieth of the total number of votes polled by all the candidates, the deposit must be forfeited to the Greater London Authority.

PART 6Disposal of Documents

Sealing up of ballot papers

56.—(1) On the completion of the counting at a contested election the CRO must seal up in separate packets the counted and rejected ballot papers.

(2) Where some or all of the votes have been counted using the electronic counting system, the CRO must also seal up in a separate packet a complete electronic record (“the electronic record”) of the information stored in the electronic counting system, held in such device as may be suitable for the purpose of its storage.

(3) After making the electronic record under paragraph (2), the CRO must arrange for the original records in the electronic counting system to be removed from it and destroyed in a manner that ensures that the secrecy of those records is preserved.

(4) The CRO must not open the sealed packets of—

(a)tendered ballot papers,

(b)certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll,

[^F77(ba)the completed ballot paper refusal list,^F77]

(c)the completed corresponding number lists, or

(d)marked copies of the register of electors (including any marked copy notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act) and list of proxies.

Delivery and retention of documents

57.—(1) The CRO must then forward the following documents to the relevant registration officer—

(a)the packets of ballot papers in his possession,

(b)the packet containing the electronic record (if any),

(c)the ballot paper accounts and the statements of rejected ballot papers and of the result of the verification of the ballot paper accounts,

(d)the tendered votes lists, the lists of voters with disabilities assisted by companions, the lists of votes marked by the presiding officer and the related statements, the lists maintained under rule 44 and the declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities,

[^F78(da)the packet containing the completed ballot paper refusal list,^F78]

(e)the packets of the completed corresponding number lists,

(f)the packets of certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll, and

(g)the packets containing marked copies of registers (including any marked copy notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act) and of the postal voters list, of the lists of proxies and of the proxy postal voters list,

endorsing on each packet a description of its contents, the date of the election to which they relate and the name of the Assembly constituency for which the election was held.

Orders for production of documents

58.—(1) An order—

(a)for the inspection or production of any rejected ballot papers in the custody of the relevant registration officer, or

(b)for the opening of a packet containing the electronic record or a sealed packet of completed corresponding number lists or certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll or the inspection of any counted ballot papers, in the custody of the relevant registration officer,

may be made by a county court, if the court is satisfied by evidence on oath that the order is required for the purpose of instituting or maintaining a prosecution for an offence in relation to ballot papers, or for the purpose of an election petition.

[^F79(1A)An order—

(a)for the opening of the sealed packet containing a completed ballot paper refusal list, or

(b)for the inspection or production of that list,

may be made by the county court if satisfied by evidence on oath that the order is required for the purpose of an election petition.^F79]

(2) An election court may make an order for the opening of a packet containing the electronic record or a sealed packet of completed corresponding number lists or certificates or for the inspection of any counted ballot papers in the custody of the relevant registration officer.

(3) An order under this rule may be made subject to such conditions as to—

(a)persons,

(b)time,

(c)place and mode of inspection,

(d)production or opening,

as the court making the order thinks expedient; but in making and carrying into effect an order for the opening of a packet containing the electronic record or a packet of completed corresponding number lists or certificates or for the inspection of counted ballot papers, care must be taken that the way in which the vote of any particular elector has been given must not be disclosed until it has been proved—

(i)that his vote was given, and

(ii)that the vote has been declared by a competent court to be invalid.

(4) An appeal lies to the High Court from any order of a county court under this rule.

(5) Any power given under this rule to a county court may be exercised by any judge of the court otherwise than in open court.

(6) Where an order is made for the production by the relevant registration officer of any document or electronic record in his custody relating to any specified election—

(a)the production by him or his agent of the document or electronic record ordered in such manner as may be directed by that order will be conclusive evidence that the document or electronic record relates to the specified election, and

(b)any endorsement on any packet of ballot papers or so produced will be prima facie evidence that the ballot papers are what they are stated to be by the endorsement.

(7) The production from proper custody of —

(a)a ballot paper purporting to have been used at any election, or

(b)a copy of the electronic record which purports to record that a particular ballot paper was used at any election, and

a completed corresponding number list with a number written beside the number of the ballot paper, will be prima facie evidence that the elector whose vote was given by that ballot paper was the person who, at the time of the election, had affixed to his entry in the register of electors or on the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, the same number as was written on the completed corresponding number list.

(8) Unless authorised by this rule, no person may be allowed to inspect any rejected or counted ballot papers in the custody of the relevant registration officer or open any sealed packets of completed corresponding number lists, certificates of employment on the day of the poll or containing the electronic record.

Retention and destruction of documents and records

59. The relevant registration officer must retain or cause to be retained for one year all documents and, where applicable, the electronic record relating to an election forwarded to him in pursuance of these Rules by a CRO, and then, unless otherwise directed by an order of a county court, a Crown Court, a magistrate's court or an election court, must cause them to be destroyed.

[^F80Destruction of home address forms

59A.—(1)The CRO must destroy each candidate’s home address form—

(a)on the next working day following the 35th day after the CRO has returned the name of the person elected, or

(b)if an election petition questioning the election or return is presented before that day, as soon as practicable following the conclusion of proceedings on the petition or on appeal from such proceedings.

(2)In this rule, “working day” means a day other than—

(a)a Saturday or Sunday,

(b)Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday, or

(c)a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

(3)For the purposes of paragraph (2), “bank holiday” has the meaning given in rule 4(2).^F80]

PART 7Death Of Candidate

Countermand or abandonment of poll on death of candidate

60.—(1) If at a contested election proof is given to the CRO's satisfaction before the result of the election is declared that one of the persons named or to be named as candidate in the ballot papers has died, the CRO—

(a)must countermand notice of the poll or, if polling has begun, direct that the poll be abandoned,

(b)must inform the GLRO of the countermand or abandonment of the poll and of the name of the candidate who has died.

(2) Subsection (1) of section 39 (local elections void etc. in England and Wales) of the 1983 Act applies in respect of any vacancy which remains unfilled as if for the reference to the returning officer there were substituted a reference to the CRO.

(3) Where the poll is abandoned by reason of a candidate's death, no further ballot papers may be issued, and the presiding officer at any polling station must take the like steps (so far as not already taken) for the delivery to the CRO of ballot boxes and of ballot papers and other documents in his possession as he is required to take on the close of the poll in due course.

(4) The CRO must dispose of the ballot papers and other documents in his possession as he is required to do on the completion in due course of the counting of the votes, subject to paragraphs (5) and (6).

(5) It is not be necessary for any ballot paper account to be prepared or verified.

(6) The CRO must seal up all the ballot papers, whether the votes on them have been counted or not, and it will not be necessary to seal up counted and rejected ballot papers in separate packets.

(7) The provisions of these Rules as to the inspection, production, retention and destruction of ballot papers and other documents relating to a poll at an election apply to any such documents relating to a poll abandoned by reason of a candidate's death, subject to paragraphs (8) and (9).

(8) Ballot papers on which the votes were neither counted nor rejected must be treated as counted ballot papers.

(9) No order may be made for—

(a)the production or inspection of any ballot papers, or

(b)for the opening of a sealed packet of completed corresponding number lists or certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll,

unless the order is made by a court with reference to a prosecution.

Rule 3(3)

SCHEDULE 2THE LONDON MEMBERS ELECTION RULES

PART 1General Provisions

Citation

1. This Schedule may be cited as the London MembersElection Rules.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In the rules in this Schedule, unless the context indicates otherwise—

“election” means an election for the return of the London members;

“individual candidate” means a candidate other than a list candidate at an election for the return of London members;

“list candidate” means a person included on a party list;

“local count” means the count of the London votes given for a registered party or, as the case may be, an individual candidate, at an election in an Assembly constituency;

“London vote” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the 1999 Act;

“party list” means a list delivered to the GLRO in accordance with paragraph 5 (party lists and individual candidates) of Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act on behalf of a party registered under Part 2 (registration of political parties) of the 2000 Act.

(2) Reference to a rule by number alone is a reference to the rule so numbered in this Schedule.

PART 2Provisions As To Time

Timetable

3. The proceedings at the election must be conducted in accordance with the following timetable:

Computation of time

4.—(1) In computing any period of time for the purposes of the Timetable—

(a)a Saturday or Sunday,

(b)Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday, or

(c)a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning,

must be disregarded, and any such day must not be treated as a day for the purpose of any proceedings up to the completion of the poll nor must the CRO be obliged to proceed with the counting of the votes on such a day.

^M28(2) In this rule, “bank holiday” means a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in England and Wales.

PART 3Stages Common To Contested And Uncontested Elections

Notice of election

5.—(1) The GLRO must publish in each Assembly constituency notice of the election stating—

(a)the place and times at which nomination papers and party lists are to be delivered, and

(b)the date of the poll in the event of a contest,

and the notice must state that forms of nomination papers and party lists may be obtained at that place and those times.

(2) The notice of election must state the arrangements (if any) which apply for the payment of the deposit required by rule 10 by means of the electronic transfer of funds.

(3) The notice of election must state the date by which—

(a)applications to vote by post or proxy, and

(b)other applications and notices about postal or proxy voting,

must reach the registration officer for local government electors in order that they may be effective for the election.

Nomination of candidates: individual candidates

6.—(1) Each individual candidate must be nominated by a separate nomination paper that must be—

(a)in the appropriate form, and

(b)delivered to the GLRO in accordance with the following provisions of this rule and rule 8.

(2) The nomination paper of an individual candidate must state the candidate's—

(a)full names, [^F86and^F86]

^F87(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)if desired, a description consisting of the word “independent”,

and the surname must be placed first in the list of names.

Nomination of candidates: list candidates

7.—(1) A registered party which is a qualifying party and is to stand at the election of London members must be nominated by the delivery of a nomination paper which must be—

(a)in the appropriate form, and

(b)delivered to the GLRO by the party's registered nominating officer, or a person authorised in writing by him, in accordance with the following provisions of this rule and rule 8.

(2) The registered party's nomination paper must—

(a)state the authorised description by which the registered party is to stand for election,

(b)include a statement, signed by the person issuing the paper, that it is issued either—

(i)by the party's registered nominating officer, or

(ii)on behalf of the party's registered nominating officer by a person authorised in writing by him, and

(c)^F88be accompanied by a party list which sets out the full names ... of each candidate included in that list.

(3) An authorised description for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a) must be either—

(a)^M29the name of the party registered under section 28 of the 2000 Act , or

(b)^M30a description of the party, registered under section 28A of that Act.

(4) A person will be guilty of a corrupt practice if he fraudulently purports to be authorised to make the statement required by paragraph (2)(b) by or on behalf of a registered party's nominating officer.

(5) For the purposes of the application of these rules in relation to an election—

(a)“registered party” means a party which was registered under Part 2 of the 2000 Act on the day (“the relevant day”) which is two days before the last day for the delivery of nomination papers and party lists at that election,

(b)a registered party is a qualifying party if on the relevant day the party was registered in respect of England in the Great Britain register maintained under that Part of that Act.

Nomination papers: general provisions

8.—(1) The following provisions of this rule have effect in relation to nomination papers delivered under rules 6 and 7.

(2) If an individual candidate or a candidate included on a party list commonly uses—

(a)a surname which is different from any other surname he has, or

(b)a forename which is different from any other forename he has,

the nomination paper and party list may state the commonly used surname or forename, or both surname and forename in addition to the other name.

(3) Each nomination paper must be delivered to the GLRO at the place specified by him in the notice of election, which must be at one of the offices of the Greater London Authority, and must be received by the GLRO before the last time for the delivery of nomination papers.

(4) Where a nomination paper is delivered in respect of—

(a)the same registered party, or

(b)the same individual candidate,

after an earlier nomination paper has been delivered, that later paper must be deemed to supersede the earlier one.

[^F89(4A)Subject to paragraph (4C), the nomination paper must be accompanied by a form (in this Schedule referred to as “the home address form”) which states—

(a)the candidate’s—

(i)full names,

(ii)home address in full, and

(iii)qualifying address or, if the candidate declares that they are qualified by more than one of the qualifications mentioned in paragraph (4E), qualifying addresses;

(b)in relation to each qualifying address, which of the qualifications mentioned in paragraph (4E) that address relates to;

(c)the attesting person’s—

(i)full names, and

(ii)home address in full.

(4B)The home address form—

(a)may contain a statement made and signed by the candidate that the candidate requires their home address not to be made public, and

(b)if it does so, must—

(i)where the candidate’s home address is in the United Kingdom, state the name of the relevant area;

(ii)where the candidate’s home address is outside the United Kingdom, state the country in which it is situated.

(4C)The nomination paper of a registered party must be accompanied by a home address form for each candidate included on the party list which accompanies that nomination paper.

(4D)The provisions in paragraph (3) about the delivery of the nomination paper also apply to each home address form.

(4E)In this rule, “qualifying address”, in relation to a candidate, means—

(a)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of being registered as a local government elector for Greater London, the address at which they are so registered;

(b)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of occupying as owner or tenant any land or other premises in Greater London, a description and address of that land or those premises;

(c)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of their principal or only place of work being in Greater London, the address of that place of work;

(d)if the candidate declares in their consent to nomination that they are qualified to be elected by virtue of residing in Greater London, the address, or addresses, at which the candidate has so resided.

(4F)In this rule—

“attesting person”, in relation to a candidate, means the person who attests the candidate’s consent to nomination in accordance with rule 9(1)(b);

“relevant area” means—

(5) In this rule and in the following provisions of these rules, unless the context requires otherwise—

(a)“nomination paper” includes a reference to—

(i)the nomination paper of a registered party, and

(ii)the nomination paper of an individual candidate;

(b)“nomination paper of a registered party” includes a reference to a party list.

Consent to nomination

9.—(1) A person will not be validly nominated (whether as an individual candidate or a list candidate) unless his consent to nomination—

(a)is given in writing in the appropriate form, or a form to like effect, on or within one month before the last day for the delivery of nomination papers;

(b)^F90is attested by one witness ...; and

(c)is delivered at the place and within the time for delivery of nomination papers.

(2) A candidate's consent given under this rule must—

(a)state the day, month and year of his birth;

(b)contain a statement that he has read whichever of sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) of paragraph 5 of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act (persons who many not be candidates) applies in his case; and

(c)contain a statement that to the best of the candidate's knowledge and belief he is not disqualified from being elected by reason of—

(i)^F92any disqualification set out in section 21 [^F91or 21A^F91] (disqualification from being the Mayor or an Assembly member) of the 1999 Act, ...

^F93(ii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iii)an order made under section 34(4) of the Localism Act 2011(offences).

Deposits

10.—(1) A person will not be validly nominated as an individual candidate at the election unless the sum of £5,000 is deposited by him, or on his behalf, with the GLRO at the place and during the time for delivery of nomination papers and party lists.

(2) A registered party (and anyone on its party list) will not be validly nominated unless the sum of £5,000 is deposited on its behalf with the GLRO at the place and during the time for delivery of nomination papers and party lists.

(3) The deposit may be made either—

(a)by the deposit of any legal tender, or

(b)by means of a banker's draft, or

(c)with the GLRO's consent, in any other manner including by means of a debit or credit card or the electronic transfer of funds,

but the GLRO may refuse to accept a deposit sought to be made by means of a banker's draft if he does not know that the drawer carries on business as a banker in the United Kingdom.

(4) Where the deposit is made on behalf of an individual candidate, the person making the deposit must at the time he makes it give his name and address to the GLRO, unless they have previously been given to him under section 67 (appointment of election agent) of the 1983 Act.

Decisions as to validity of nomination papers

11.—(1) Where, in the case of an individual candidate, a nomination paper (“individual nomination paper”) and the candidate's consent to it [^F94and a home address form^F94] are delivered, and a deposit is made, in accordance with these Rules, the candidate will be deemed to stand nominated unless and until—

(a)the GLRO decides that the nomination paper is invalid, or

[^F95(aa)the GLRO decides that the candidate’s home address form—

(i)does not comply with the requirements of rule 8(4A), or

(ii)if the form contains a statement under rule 8(4B)(a), does not comply with the signature requirement in that rule or the requirements of rule 8(4B)(b), or^F95]

(b)proof is given to the GLRO's satisfaction of the candidate's death, or

(c)the candidate withdraws.

(2) Where the nomination paper of a registered party and the consent of each candidate [^F96and a home address form in respect of each candidate^F96] included in that party's list are delivered, and a deposit is made, in accordance with these Rules, that party and (subject to paragraph (6)) each candidate on its list must be deemed to stand nominated unless and until the GLRO decides that the nomination paper is invalid.

(3) As soon as practicable after each nomination paper [^F97and each home address form have been delivered, the GLRO must examine them^F97] and decide whether the individual candidate, or as the case may be each registered party and each candidate included in that party's list, has been validly nominated.

(4) The GLRO is entitled to hold an individual nomination paper invalid only on the grounds that the particulars of the candidate on the nomination paper are not as required by law.

(5) The GLRO is entitled to hold the nomination paper of a registered party invalid only on one of the following grounds—

(a)that the authorised description stated under rule 7(2)(a) breaches rule 7(3);

(b)that the nomination paper does not contain the statement referred to in rule 7(2)(b);

(c)that the number of candidates on the list is greater than 25.

(6) Where, in respect of a candidate included in a party list—

(a)proof is given to the GLRO's satisfaction of his death;

(b)he withdraws or his candidature is withdrawn in accordance with rule 15;

(c)his particulars in that list are not as required by law;

(d)the consent to nomination of that candidate is not delivered in accordance with rule 9,

[^F98(e)the candidate’s home address form—

(i)does not comply with the requirements of rule 8(4A), or

(ii)if the form contains a statement under rule 8(4B)(a), does not comply with the signature requirement in that rule or the requirements of rule 8(4B)(b),^F98]

the GLRO must delete the name and address of that candidate from the list.

(7) Where the GLRO has decided under paragraph (3)—

(a)that an individual nomination paper is invalid,

(b)that the nomination paper of a registered party is invalid or that the name and address of a list candidate must be deleted from the list,

he must endorse and sign on the nomination paper to record that decision and the reasons for his decision.

(8) The GLRO must, as soon as practicable after making such a decision under paragraph (3) that a [^F99home address form^F99] is valid or invalid, send notice of that decision—

(a)to the candidate at his home address as given in his nomination paper, and

(b)in the case of a list candidate, also to the nominating officer.

(9) Where in the GLRO's opinion the nomination paper of a registered party is invalid on the grounds in paragraphs (5)(a) or (b), then he must give a decision to that effect—

(a)as soon as practicable after the delivery of the nomination paper, and

(b)in any event, before the end of the period of 24 hours starting with the end of the period for the delivery of nomination papers set out in the timetable in rule 3.

(10) The GLRO's decision that a nomination paper is valid is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.

(11) Subject to paragraph (10), nothing in this rule prevents the validity of a nomination being questioned on an election petition.

Publication of statement of persons nominated

12.—(1) The GLRO must prepare and publish a statement showing—

(a)each registered party which has been and stands nominated, together with that party's list,

(b)the persons who have been and stand nominated as individual candidates, and

(c)any other parties or persons who have been nominated, together with the reason why they no longer stand nominated.

(2) If an individual's nomination paper or person's entry on a party list gives a commonly used surname or forename, or both surname and forename, in addition to another name, the statement must show the person's commonly used surname or forename, or both surname and forename (as the case may be) instead of any other name.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply if the GLRO thinks—

(a)that the use of the person's commonly used name may be likely to mislead or confuse electors, or

(b)that the commonly used name is obscene or offensive.

(4) If paragraph (3) applies, the GLRO must give notice in writing to the candidate of his reasons for refusing to allow the use of a commonly used name.

(5) The statement must show, in the following order—

(a)the registered parties which have been and stand nominated, set out in alphabetical order according to the authorised descriptions given in the nomination papers,

(b)^F100the names ... of the list candidates as given in party lists, arranged in the order in which their names appear in those lists,

(c)^F101the names ... and descriptions (if any) of the persons standing nominated as individual candidates, arranged alphabetically in the order of their surnames and, if there are two or more of them with the same surname, of their other names.

[^F102(5A)The statement must also show the following information contained in the home address form—

(a)where the statement in rule 8(4B)(a) is made requiring the home address of the candidate not to be made public, the information mentioned in rule 8(4B)(b);

(b)in any other case, the home address of the person nominated.

(5B)Where—

(a)two or more of the names shown on the statement are the same or so similar it is likely to cause confusion,

(b)each of the persons in question has made the statement mentioned in rule 8(4B)(a), and

(c)the information mentioned in rule 8(4B)(b) is the same for each of them,

the GLRO may cause any of their particulars to be shown on the statement with such amendments or additions as the GLRO thinks appropriate in order to reduce the likelihood of confusion.

(5C)Where it is practicable to do so before the publication of the statement, the GLRO must consult any person whose particulars are to be amended or added to under paragraph (5B).

(5D)The GLRO must give notice in writing to any person whose particulars are amended or added to under paragraph (5B).

(5E)Anything done by the GLRO in pursuance of paragraph (5B) must not be questioned in any proceedings other than proceedings on an election petition.

(5F)The GLRO must have regard to any guidance issued by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of paragraph (5B).^F102]

(6) In the case of an individual candidate nominated by more than one nomination paper, the GLRO must take the particulars required by the foregoing provisions of this rule from such one of the papers as the candidate (or the GLRO in default of the candidate) may select.

Correction of minor errors

13.—(1) The GLRO may, if he thinks fit, at any time before the publication under rule 12 of the statement of parties and persons nominated, correct minor errors in a nomination paper [^F103or home address form^F103] .

(2) Errors which may be corrected include—

(a)errors as to a person's electoral number,

(b)obvious errors of spelling in relation to the details of a party or candidate,

[^F104(c)errors as to the information mentioned in rule 8(4B)(b).^F104]

(3) Anything done by the GLRO in pursuance of this rule may not be questioned in any proceedings other than proceedings on an election petition.

(4) The GLRO must have regard to any guidance issued by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of this rule.

Inspection of nomination papers and consent to nomination

14.—(1) During ordinary office hours, in the period starting 24 hours after the latest time for the delivery of nomination papers and before the date of the poll, any person may inspect and take copies of, or extracts from—

(a)a nomination paper, or

(b)the consents to nomination.

(2) Inspection under paragraph (1) may not take place on a day that is specified in rule 4(1).

[^F105Inspection of home address forms: individual candidates and list candidates

14A.—(1)During ordinary office hours, in the period starting 24 hours after the latest time for the delivery of nomination papers and before the date of the poll, the following may inspect the home address form of a candidate (“candidate A”)—

(a)a person standing nominated as an individual candidate or a list candidate in the same electoral area as candidate A (“candidate B”),

(b)candidate B’s election agent,

(c)where candidate B acts as their own election agent, or, where candidate B is a list candidate and acts as the election agent for the candidates included in that list, a person nominated by candidate B,

(d)the nominating officer of a registered party standing nominated in the same electoral area as candidate A, or

(e)a person authorised in writing by that nominating officer.

(2)Inspection under paragraph (1) may not take place on a day that is specified in rule 4(1).

(3)Nothing in this rule permits any person to take a copy of, or extracts from, any home address form.

(4)The GLRO must not permit a home address form to be inspected otherwise than in accordance with this rule, or for some other purpose authorised by law.^F105]

Withdrawal or death of candidate

15.—(1) An individual candidate or a candidate on a party's list may withdraw his candidature by notice of withdrawal—

(a)signed by him and attested by one witness, whose name and address must be given, and

(b)delivered to the GLRO at the place for delivery of nomination papers and party lists,

by the end of the period for the delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature in the timetable in rule 3.

(2) The nominating officer of a registered party, or a person authorised in writing by him may withdraw that party's nomination by a notice of withdrawal signed by him and delivered to the returning officer at the place for delivery of nomination papers and party lists.

(3) Where a candidate is outside the United Kingdom, a notice of withdrawal signed by his election agent and accompanied by a written declaration also so signed of the candidate's absence from the United Kingdom will be of the same effect as a notice of withdrawal signed by the candidate; but where the candidate stands nominated by more than one nomination paper a notice of withdrawal under this paragraph will be effective if, and only if, it is accompanied, in addition to that declaration, by a written statement signed by the candidate that the person giving the notice is authorised to do so on the candidate's behalf during his absence from the United Kingdom.

(4) If before the result of the election is declared, proof is given to the GLRO's satisfaction that an individual candidate who is named (or is to be named) in the ballot papers or a candidate whose name appears on a party list has died, then (in addition to complying with any other requirement of these rules relevant to that event) the GLRO must—

(a)inform each CRO of the death of the candidate;

(b)in the case of a person whose name is included in a party list, remove that person's name from that list.

Method of election

16. If, after any withdrawals under rule 15, the number of persons remaining validly nominated exceeds the number of seats available for allocation to London members, then, unless all of those persons are named on the same party list, a poll must be taken in accordance with Part 4 of these Rules.

PART 4Contested Elections

Poll to be taken by ballot

17. The votes at the poll must be given by ballot to enable the seats for London members to be allocated to registered parties and individual candidates in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act.

The ballot papers

18.—(1) The ballot of every voter must consist of a ballot paper which must be in the appropriate form.

(2) Each registered party that remains validly nominated at the election and whose party list includes a person who remains validly nominated as a list candidate, after any withdrawals, and no other, is entitled to have its authorised description inserted in the ballot paper.

(3) Each person remaining validly nominated as an individual candidate at the election, after any withdrawals, and no other, is entitled to have their name inserted in the ballot paper.

(4) Every ballot paper—

(a)must [^F106, so far as practicable for the purposes of electronic counting,^F106] be printed in accordance with the directions set out in the Forms Schedule,

(b)must contain the authorised descriptions of the registered parties; and the names and other particulars of the individual candidates as shown in the statement of persons nominated,

(c)must have a number and other unique identifying mark printed on the back, and

(d)may, in the case of ballot papers for use at polling stations, be marked with the words “do not fold”.

(5) If a request is made by or on behalf of a registered party's nominating officer, the ballot paper must contain, against the party's authorised description, the party's registered emblem (or, as the case may be, one of the party's registered emblems).

(6) The request under paragraph (5) must—

(a)be made in writing to the GLRO, and

(b)be received by him during the period for delivery of nomination papers and party lists set out in the timetable in rule 3.

(7) The order of the authorised descriptions of the registered parties and the names of the individual candidates must be in the same order as in the statement of parties and persons nominated.

(8) The GLRO must supply the ballot papers for use at the election to the CRO by such date as may be agreed between them.

(9) The ballot papers supplied under paragraph (8) must be of a different colour from those used at any other Authority election.

The corresponding number list

19.—(1) The CRO must prepare a list containing the numbers and other unique identifying marks of all of the ballot papers to be issued by him in pursuance of rule 24(1) or provided by him in pursuance of rule 29(1).

(2) The list must be in the appropriate form or a form to like effect.

(3) At an ordinary election, the same list may be used for each Authority election with which the election is combined.

The official mark

20.—(1) Every ballot paper must contain an appropriate security marking (the official mark).

(2) The official mark must be kept secret, and an interval of not less than five years must intervene between the use of the same official mark at any Authority election.

(3) The GLRO may use a different official mark for different purposes at the same election.

Prohibition of disclosure of vote

21. No person who has voted at the election may, in any legal proceeding to question the election, be required to state for which candidate or party he has voted.

Use of schools and public rooms

22.—(1) The CRO may use, free of charge, for the purpose of taking the poll or counting the votes—

(a)a room in a school maintained or assisted by a [^F107local authority (as defined in the Education Act 1996)^F107] or a school in respect of which grants are made out of moneys provided by Parliament to the person or body of persons responsible for the management of the school,

(b)a room the expense of maintaining which is met by any local authority.

(2) The CRO must make good any damage done to, and defray an expense incurred by the persons having control over, any such room as mentioned in paragraph (1) by reason of its being used for the purpose of taking the poll or counting the votes.

Notice of poll

23.—(1) The GLRO must, in accordance with the timetable in rule 3, publish notice of the poll stating—

(a)the day and hours fixed for the poll,

(b)the number of seats for London members available for allocation at that election,

(c)the authorised description of each registered party whose party list includes persons who remain validly nominated as list candidates, and

(d)the name and description (if any) of each individual candidate remaining validly nominated,

and rule 12(5) applies in relation to the order in which that information appears on the notice of the poll as it applies in relation to the statement of persons nominated.

(2) The CRO must, not later than the time of the publication of the notice of the poll, also give public notice of—

(a)the situation of each polling station, and

(b)the description of voters entitled to vote there,

and he must as soon as practicable after giving such a notice give a copy of it to each of the election agents.

(3) The notice of poll must include the heading “GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY ELECTION”.

Postal ballot papers

^M3124.—(1) The CRO must, in accordance with regulations made under the 1983 Act , issue to those entitled to vote by post a ballot paper and a postal voting statement, together with such envelopes for their return as may be prescribed in such regulations.

(2) The postal voting statement must be in the appropriate form, or a form to the like effect.

(3) The postal voting statement must include provision for the form to be signed and for stating the date of birth of the elector or proxy (as the case may be).

(4) The CRO must also issue to those entitled to vote by post such information as he thinks appropriate about how to obtain—

(a)translations into languages other than English of any directions to or guidance for voters sent with the ballot paper,

(b)a translation into Braille of such directions or guidance,

(c)graphical representations of such directions or guidance,

(d)the directions or guidance in any other form (including any audible form).

(5) In the case of a ballot paper issued to a person at an address in the United Kingdom, the CRO must ensure that the return of the ballot paper and postal voting statement is free of charge to the voter.

(6) Where the proceedings on the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers at the election are taken together with any other Authority election the appropriate form of postal voting statement under paragraph (2) may be the joint postal voting statement which must be in the appropriate form or form to like effect.

Provision of polling stations

25.—(1) The CRO must provide a sufficient number of polling stations and, subject to the following provisions of this rule, must allot the electors to the polling stations in such manner as he thinks most convenient.

(2) One or more polling stations may be provided in the same room.

(3) The polling station allotted to electors from any parliamentary polling district wholly or partly within the Assembly constituency must, in the absence of special circumstances, be in the parliamentary polling place for that district, unless that place is outside the Assembly constituency.

(4) The CRO must provide each polling station with such number of compartments as may be necessary in which the voters can mark their votes screened from observation.

[^F108(5)The CRO must ensure that each polling station contains an area in which voters can produce proof of identity in private.^F108]

Appointment of presiding officers and clerks

26.—(1) The CRO must appoint and pay a presiding officer to attend at each polling station and such clerks and technical assistants as may be necessary for the purposes of the election, but he must not appoint any person who has been employed in or about the election by or on behalf of a candidate or a registered party which has been nominated.

(2) The CRO may, if he thinks fit, preside at a polling station and the provisions of this Part relating to a presiding officer apply to the CRO so presiding with the necessary modifications as to things to be done by the CRO to the presiding officer or by the presiding officer to the CRO.

(3) A presiding officer may do, by the clerks appointed to assist him, any act (including the asking of questions) which he is required or authorised by this Part to do at a polling station [^F109except—

(a)order the arrest, exclusion or removal of any person from the polling station,

(b)refuse to deliver a ballot paper under rule 37(3) or rule 39(1E) (including that rule as applied by rule 40, 41 or 42), or

(c)resolve doubts over identity as mentioned in rule 39(1F) (including that paragraph as applied by rule 40, 41 or 42).^F109]

Issue of official poll cards

27.—(1) The CRO must as soon as practicable after the publication of the notice of election, send to electors and their proxies an official poll card.

(2) An elector's official poll card must be sent or delivered to his qualifying address, and a proxy's to his address as shown in the list of proxies.

(3) The official poll card must be in the appropriate form or a form to like effect, and must set out—

(a)that the election is of the London members of the London Assembly at an ordinary election,

(b)the elector's name, qualifying address and number on the register,

(c)the date and hours of the poll and the situation of the elector's polling station, and

(d)such other information as the CRO thinks appropriate,

and different information may be provided in pursuance of sub-paragraph (d) to different electors or descriptions of elector.

(4) In the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, instead of containing the matter mentioned in paragraph (3)(b), the polling card must contain such matter as is specified in the appropriate form.

(5) Where the ordinary elections for constituency members and the Mayor are contested, the CRO must issue a combined poll card in the appropriate form.

(6) In this rule “elector” means—

(a)an elector with an entry on the register to be used at the election on the last day for the publication of the notice of the election, and

(b)includes a person then shown in the register as below voting age if (but only if) it appears from the register that he will be of voting age on the day fixed for the poll.

Information for voters

28.—(1) At an ordinary election, the GLRO may, in addition to a statement by him in an election booklet, include in the booklet information for voters that has been agreed by him with the Electoral Commission.

(2) The information for voters given in the election booklet may include information about—

(a)the office of the Mayor and the London Assembly,

(b)the system of voting at each Authority election,

(c)how to vote in a manner that will ensure a vote is regarded as validly cast, and

subject to paragraph (3), may include any other information given in exercise of the GLRO's duty under section 69 (encouraging electoral participation) of the 2006 Act.

(3) The information for voters must not contain—

(a)any advertising material,

(b)any material referring to a candidate or a registered party, other than by reproduction of a ballot paper which refers equally to all candidates and parties at the ordinary election,

(c)any material referring to the holder, at any time, of the office of Mayor or Assembly member, other than under paragraph (b) as a candidate at the ordinary election.

(4) Information published in an election booklet under this rule must be printed on not more than two sides of A5 paper.

Equipment of polling stations

29.—(1) The CRO must provide each presiding officer with—

(a)such ballot papers as may be necessary, and

(b)such ballot boxes as may be necessary having taken account of any direction made by the GLRO in accordance with paragraph (9).

(2) Every ballot box must be so constructed that the ballot papers can be put in it, but cannot be withdrawn from it, without the box being unlocked or, where the box has no lock, the seal being broken.

(3) The CRO must provide each polling station with—

(a)materials to enable voters to mark the ballot papers,

(b)copies of the register of electors or such part of it as contains the entries relating to the electors allotted to the station,

(c)the parts of any special lists prepared for the election corresponding to the register of electors or the part of it provided under sub-paragraph (b),

(d)a notice of the death of any person of whose death he has been informed as mentioned in rule 15(4),

(e)a list consisting of that part of the list prepared under rule 19 which contains the numbers (but not the other unique identifying marks) corresponding to those on the ballot papers provided to the presiding officer of the polling station.

^M32(4) The reference in paragraph (3)(b) to the copies of the register of electors includes a reference to copies of any notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act in respect of alterations to the register.

[^F110(4A)The CRO must also provide each polling station with a ballot paper refusal list, in the appropriate form or a form to like effect, on which entries are to be made as mentioned in rule 43A (refusal to deliver ballot paper).^F110]

[^F111(5)The CRO must also provide each polling station with such equipment as it is reasonable to provide for the purposes of enabling, or making it easier for, relevant persons to vote independently in the manner directed by rule 39 (voting procedure), including in relation to voting secretly; and for this purpose “relevant persons” means persons who find it difficult or impossible to vote in that manner because of—

(a)blindness or partial sight, or

(b)another disability.

(5A)Paragraph (10) of rule 29 of Schedule 1 to 1983 Act (Parliamentary elections rules: guidance to returning officers) applies for the purposes of paragraph (5) of this rule as it applies for the purposes of that rule, but as if—

(a)the reference in that paragraph to the returning officer were a reference to the CRO, and

(b)the reference in that paragraph to paragraph (3A)(b) were a reference to paragraph (5) of this rule.^F111]

^F112(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) The enlarged sample copies of the ballot paper that the GLRO is required to provide, or cause to be displayed at every polling station (in accordance with section 199B(5) and (7) of the 1983 Act) must—

(a)be provided to the CRO who will deliver them to the polling stations, and

(b)be of the same colour as the ballot paper at the election.

(8) The CRO must also provide each polling station with notices for the guidance of voters, which must be exhibited—

(a)outside the polling station,

(b)inside the polling station—

(i)in the communal areas, and

(ii)in every voting compartment.

[^F113(8A)A large notice must be displayed inside each polling station containing—

(a)details of the documents the voter needs to produce when applying for a ballot paper, namely—

(i)in the case of an elector (other than an elector with an anonymous entry) or a proxy, any of the forms of identification for the time being referred to in rule 37(1H) of the parliamentary election rules;

(ii)in the case of an elector with an anonymous entry, the elector’s official poll card and an anonymous elector’s document showing the same electoral number as the electoral number shown on the official poll card; and

(b)a statement that further proof of identity may be required to resolve any discrepancy between the name of the holder of a form of identification and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be.^F113]

(9) If the GLRO thinks fit he may, not later than the date of the notice of election, direct the CRO that joint ballot boxes must be used for the ballot papers at the election and any or all Authority elections with which the election is taken.

Notices for the guidance of voters

30.—(1) The GLRO must prepare and provide each CRO with the notices to be exhibited under rule 29(8).

(2) The GLRO may also provide each CRO with versions of the notices in such other form as he thinks appropriate, in accordance with section 199B (translations etc of certain documents) of the 1983 Act.

(3) Notices for the guidance of voters exhibited under rule 28(8) or paragraph (2) must be in the appropriate form, but may include such alternative information relating to Authority elections as—

(a)meets with the requirements of the Notices Schedule, and

(b)the GLRO may decide.

(4) Notices provided under paragraph (2) may, if the CRO agrees, be exhibited at any polling station—

(a)outside the polling station,

(b)inside the polling station, or

(c)in every compartment of the polling station.

Appointment of polling and counting agents

31.—(1) Before the commencement of the poll—

(a)each individual candidate, and

(b)the election agent of each list candidate,

may appoint—

(i)polling agents to attend at polling stations for the purpose of detecting personation, and

(ii)counting agents to attend at the local count.

(2) The same person may be appointed as a polling agent or counting agent by, or in the case of list candidates on behalf of, more than one candidate.

(3) For each local count, one (but no more than one) counting agent of each registered party standing nominated or individual candidate, as the case may be, may be authorised by the terms of his appointment to require a re-count at that count.

(4) Not more than four polling agents, or such greater number as the CRO may by notice allow, may be permitted to attend at any particular polling station.

(5) If the number of such agents appointed to attend at a particular polling station exceeds that number, the CRO must determine by lot which agents are permitted to attend, and only the agents on whom the lot falls will be deemed to have been duly appointed.

(6) The CRO may limit the number of counting agents, but in doing so must ensure that—

(a)the number is the same in the case of each candidate, and

(b)the number allowed to a candidate must not (except in special circumstances) be less than the number obtained by dividing the number of clerks employed on the counting by the number of candidates.

(7) For the purposes of the calculations required by paragraph (6)—

(a)a counting agent appointed for more than one list candidate must be deemed to be appointed for all the candidates on that list,

(b)a counting agent appointed for more than one candidate (other than a list candidate) is a separate agent for each of the candidates for whom he has been appointed.

(8) Notice in writing of the appointment of polling and counting agents, stating the names and addresses of the persons appointed, must be given by the candidate to the CRO and must be so given not later than the fifth day (computed in accordance with rule 4) before the day of the poll.

(9) If an agent dies, or becomes incapable of acting, the candidate or, as the case may be, the election agent, may appoint another person in his place, and must forthwith give to the CRO notice in writing of the name and address of that other person.

(10) Any appointment authorised by this rule may be made and the notice of appointment given to the CRO by the candidate's election agent, instead of by the candidate.

(11) In the following provisions of these Rules references to polling agents and counting agents must be taken as references to agents—

(a)whose appointments have been duly made and notified, and

(b)where the number of agents is restricted, who are within the permitted numbers.

(12) Any notice required to be given to a counting agent by the CRO may be delivered at, or sent by post to, the address stated in the notice of appointment.

(13) A candidate may himself do any act or thing which any polling or counting agent of his, if appointed, would have been authorised to do, or may assist his agent in doing any such act or thing.

(14) A candidate's election agent may do or assist in doing anything which a polling or counting agent of his is authorised to do; and anything required or authorised by these Rules to be done in the presence of the polling or counting agent may be done in the presence of a candidate's election agent instead of his polling agent or counting agent.

(15) Where by these Rules any act or thing is required or authorised to be done in the presence of the polling or counting agents, the non-attendance of any agent or agents at the time and place appointed for the purpose will not, if the act or thing is otherwise duly done, invalidate the act or thing done.

Notification of requirement of secrecy

32.[^F114—(1)^F114] The CRO must make such arrangements as he thinks fit to ensure that—

(a)^M33every person attending at a polling station (otherwise than for the purpose of voting or assisting a voter with disabilities to vote or as a constable on duty there) has been given a copy of the provisions of subsections (1), (3) and (6) of section 66 (requirement of secrecy) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 , and

(b)every person attending at the counting of the votes (other than any constable on duty at the counting) has been given a copy of the provisions of subsections (2) and (6) of that section.

[^F115(2)In paragraph (1) a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the 2002 Act (police powers for employees).^F115]

Return of postal ballot papers

33.—(1) Where—

(a)a postal vote has been returned in respect of a person who is entered on the postal voters list, or

(b)a proxy postal vote has been returned in respect of a proxy who is entered on the proxy postal voters list,

^M34the CRO must mark the list in the manner prescribed by regulations made under the 1983 Act .

(2) Rule 50(2) does not apply for the purpose of determining whether, for the purposes of this rule, a postal vote or a proxy postal vote is returned.

Admission to polling station

34.—(1) The presiding officer must exclude all persons from the polling station except—

(a)voters,

(b)persons under the age of 18 who accompany voters to the polling station,

(c)the candidates and their election agents,

(d)the polling agents appointed to attend at the polling station,

(e)the clerks appointed to attend at the polling station,

(f)persons who are entitled to attend by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the 2000 Act,

(g)the constables on duty, and

(h)the companions of voters with disabilities.

(2) The presiding officer must regulate the total number of voters and persons under the age of 18 who accompany them to be admitted to the polling station at the same time.

(3) Not more than one polling agent may be admitted at the same time to a polling station on behalf of the same party or individual candidate.

(4) A constable or person employed by the CRO must not be admitted to vote in person elsewhere than at his own polling station allotted to him under these Rules, except on production and surrender of a certificate as to his employment which must be in the appropriate form and signed by an officer of the police of or above the rank of inspector or by the CRO, as the case may be.

(5) Any certificate surrendered under this rule must forthwith be cancelled.

[^F116(6)In this rule a reference to a constable includes a person designated as a community support officer under section 38 of the 2002 Act.^F116]

Keeping of order in station

35.—(1) It is the presiding officer's duty to keep order at his polling station.

(2) If a person misconducts himself in a polling station, or fails to obey the presiding officer's lawful orders, he may immediately, by the presiding officer's order, be removed from the polling station—

(a)by a constable in or near that station, or

(b)by any other person authorised in writing by the CRO to remove him,

and the person so removed must not, without the presiding officer's permission, again enter the polling station during the day.

(3) Any person so removed may, if charged with the commission in the polling station of an offence, be dealt with as a person taken into custody by a constable for an offence without a warrant.

(4) The powers conferred by this rule must not be exercised so as to prevent a voter who is otherwise entitled to vote at a polling station from having an opportunity of voting at that station.

Sealing of ballot boxes

36. Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding officer must—

(a)show each ballot box, empty, to such persons, if any, as are present in the polling station, so that they may see that the boxes are empty,

(b)lock up such of the boxes as have locks,

(c)place his seal—

(i)on each lock, and

(ii)on each ballot box which has no lock,

in such a manner as to prevent its being opened without breaking the seal,

(d)place each box in his view for the receipt of ballot papers, and

(e)keep each box locked and sealed or, as the case may be, sealed.

Questions to be put to voters

37.—(1) At the time of the application (but not afterwards), the questions specified in the second column of the following table—

(a)may be put by the presiding officer to a person who is mentioned in the first column, and

(b)must be put if the letter “R” appears after the question and the candidate or his election or polling agent requires the question to be put.

(2) In the case of an elector in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, the references in the questions at entries 1(a) and 3(a), (b) and (c) to reading from the register must be taken as references to reading from the notice issued under those subsections.

[^F118(2A)Where a clerk—

(a)gives a person the required information (see paragraph (5)),

(b)puts a question specified in paragraph (1) to the person, and

(c)decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily,

the clerk must refer the matter to the presiding officer, who must put the question to the person again.^F118]

[^F119(3)Where the presiding officer—

(a)gives a person the required information,

(b)puts a question specified in paragraph (1) to the person (whether or not following a referral under paragraph (2A)), and

(c)decides that the person has failed to answer the question satisfactorily,

the officer must refuse to deliver a ballot paper to the person (and see rule 43A (procedure where ballot paper is refused under this paragraph)).

(3A)For the purposes of the rule, a person answers the question “What is your name?” or “What is your address?” satisfactorily if—

(a)where one of those questions is put, the answer matches a name or address (as the case may be) in the register;

(b)where both those questions are put, the answers match a name and address in that register that relate to the same person.

(3B)In the case of an elector in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, the references to the register in paragraph (3A) are to be read as references to the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D).^F119]

(4) Except as authorised by this rule, no inquiry may be permitted as to the right of any person to vote[^F120(and for the purposes of this paragraph, an inquiry relating to the production of identification by a voter is not to be regarded as an inquiry as to the right of the person to vote)^F120] .

[^F121(5)For the purposes of this rule, a person to whom any question is to be put is given “the required information” if the person is first informed that—

(a)a ballot paper will be refused if the person fails to answer each question satisfactorily, and

(b)giving false information may be an offence.^F121]

Challenge of voter

38. A person must not be prevented from voting because—

(a)a candidate or his election or polling agent declares that he has reasonable cause to believe that the person has committed an offence of personation, or

(b)the person is arrested on the grounds that he is suspected of committing or of being about to commit such an offence.

Voting procedure

39.—(1)[^F122Subject to rule 37(3) and to paragraphs (1A) to (1M), a^F122] ballot paper must be delivered to a voter who applies for one, and immediately before delivery—

^F123(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)the number of the elector must be marked on the list mentioned in rule 29(3)(e) beside the number of the ballot paper to be delivered to him,

(c)a mark must be placed in the register of electors against the number of the elector to note that a ballot paper has been applied for but without showing the particular ballot paper which may be delivered,

(d)in the case of a person applying for a ballot paper as proxy, a mark must also be placed against his name in the list of proxies.

[^F124(1A)A ballot paper must not be delivered to a voter unless the voter produces a specified document to the presiding officer or a clerk.

(1B)The presiding officer or clerk must arrange for the voter to produce any document in a private area of the polling station if the voter so requests, and, in such a case, must ensure that no other persons witness the production except as permitted by the voter.

(1C)Paragraph (1D) applies in relation to a voter where—

(a)the voter produces a specified document to a clerk and the clerk decides that the document raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or

(b)the voter produces a document to a clerk that the clerk reasonably suspects to be a forged document.

(1D)Where this paragraph applies, the clerk must refer the matter and produce the document to the presiding officer, who must proceed as if the voter had produced the document to the presiding officer in the first place.

(1E)The presiding officer must refuse to deliver a ballot paper to a voter where—

(a)the voter produces a specified document to the officer and the officer decides that the document raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be, or

(b)the voter produces a document to the officer that the officer reasonably suspects to be a forged document.

(1F)Paragraph (1E)(a) does not apply where—

(a)a discrepancy between the name of the holder of a specified document and the name of the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be is resolved to the presiding officer’s satisfaction at the time of the application by the voter producing further proof of identity, and

(b)the presiding officer has no other reason (arising from any document produced by the voter) to doubt that the voter is the elector or proxy that the voter claims to be.

(1G)The refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under paragraph (1E) does not prevent the voter making a further application under paragraph (1), and paragraphs (1A) to (1F) apply on any further application.

(1H)In this rule, a “forged document” means a false document made to resemble a specified document.

(1I)In this rule, a “specified document”—

(a)except in the case of a voter who has an anonymous entry in the register of electors, means a document which for the time being falls within the list specified in rule 37(1H) of the parliamentary election rules;

(b)in the case of a voter who has an anonymous entry in the register of electors, means an anonymous elector’s document which—

(i)was issued by the registration officer for the local authority in whose area the election is held, and

(ii)contains the number—

(aa)allocated to the voter as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(bb)where an entry relating to the voter is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(1J)Subject to paragraph (1K), a reference in this rule to a document that is a specified document is a reference to the document regardless of any expiry date relating to it.

(1K)Paragraph (1J) does not apply to a temporary electoral identity document where the date of the poll for the election is after the date for which the document is issued.

(1L)No person other than the presiding officer or a clerk may inspect a document produced as proof of a voter’s identity, except as permitted by the voter.

(1M)References in this rule to producing a document are to producing it for inspection.^F124]

^F125(2) In the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, he must show the presiding officer his official poll card ....

(3) In the case of an elector who is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, paragraph (1) is modified as follows—

^F126(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)in sub-paragraph (c), for “in the register of electors” substitute “on the copy of the notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(4) The voter, on receiving the ballot paper, must forthwith proceed into one of the compartments in the polling station and there secretly mark his paper, and must then show to the presiding officer the back of the paper, so as to disclose the number and other unique identifying mark, and put the ballot paper into the ballot box in the presiding officer's presence, but so as to conceal his vote.

(5) The voter must vote without undue delay, and must leave the polling station as soon as he has put his ballot paper into the ballot box.

(6) A voter who has had a ballot paper delivered to him under paragraph (1), but has decided not to mark it, may return it to the presiding officer and where the voter does so, the presiding officer must—

(a)immediately cancel the ballot paper, and for the purposes of these rules treat it as a spoilt ballot paper,

(b)place a mark beside the number of that ballot paper on the corresponding number list to show that the ballot paper has been cancelled.

(7) Where any other ordinary Authority election in the Assembly constituency is contested, the same copy of—

(a)the list of proxies,

(b)the list mentioned in rule 29(3)(e),

(c)the register of electors,

(d)any notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act (marked in the case of an elector who is added to the register in pursuance of such a notice),

may be used for each Authority election and one mark may be placed in the list, register or notice (as the case may be) to denote that a ballot paper has been delivered in respect of each Authority election; except that, where a ballot paper has not been issued in respect of any Authority election, a different mark must be placed in the list, register or notice so as to identify the elections in respect of which a ballot paper was issued.

[^F127(8)A voter who at the close of the poll is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of voting must (despite the close of the poll) be entitled to apply for a ballot paper under paragraph (1); and these rules apply in relation to such a voter accordingly.^F127]

Votes marked by presiding officer

40.—(1)[^F128Subject to paragraph (1A), the^F128] presiding officer, on the application of a voter—

(a)who is incapacitated by blindness or other disability from voting in the manner directed by these Rules, or

(b)who declares orally that he is unable to read,

must, in the presence of the polling agents, cause the voter's vote to be marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the voter, and the ballot paper to be placed in the ballot box.

[^F129(1A)Paragraphs (1A) to (1M) of rule 39 apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) of this rule as those paragraphs apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 39(1), but as if—

(a)references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to causing a voter’s vote to be marked on a ballot paper, and

(b)in rule 39(1G), the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 39 were to paragraph (1) of this rule.^F129]

(2) The name and number on the register of electors of every voter whose vote is marked in pursuance of this rule, and the reason why it is so marked, must be entered on a list (in these Rules called “the list of votes marked by the presiding officer”). In the case of a person voting as proxy for an elector, the number to be entered together with the voter's name must be the elector's number.

^M35(3) In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act , paragraph (2) applies as if for “on the register of electors of every voter” there were substituted “relating to every voter in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(4) The same list of votes marked by the presiding officer may be used for the election and each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that the ballot papers were so marked in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which the ballot paper was so marked.

Voting by persons with disabilities

41.—(1) If a voter makes an application to the presiding officer to be allowed, on the ground of—

(a)blindness or other disability, or

(b)inability to read,

to vote with the assistance of another person by whom he is accompanied (in these Rules referred to as “the companion”), the presiding officer must require the voter to declare, orally or in writing, whether he is so incapacitated by his blindness or other disability, or by his inability to read, as to be unable to vote without assistance.

(2)[^F130Subject to paragraph (2A), if^F130] the presiding officer—

(a)is satisfied that the voter is so incapacitated, and

(b)is also satisfied by a written declaration made by the companion (in these Rules referred to as “the declaration made by the companion of a voter with disabilities”) that the companion—

(i)is a qualified person within the meaning of these Rules, and

(ii)has not previously assisted more than one voter with disabilities to vote at the election,

the presiding officer must grant the application, and then anything which is by these Rules required to be done to, or by that voter in connection with the giving of his vote may be done to, or with the assistance of, the companion.

[^F131(2A)Paragraphs (1A) to (1M) of rule 39 apply in the case of a voter who applies under paragraph (1) of this rule as those paragraphs apply in the case of a voter who applies under rule 39(1), but as if—

(a)references to delivering a ballot paper to a voter were to granting a voter’s application, and

(b)in rule 39(1G), the reference to paragraph (1) of rule 39 were to paragraph (1) of this rule.^F131]

(3) For the purpose of these Rules, a person is a voter with disabilities if he has made such a declaration as is mentioned in paragraph (1) above, and a person may be qualified to assist a voter with disabilities to vote[^F132if that person is aged 18 or over.^F132]

(4) The name and number in the register of electors of every voter whose vote is given in accordance with this rule and the name and address of the companion must be entered on a list (in these Rules referred to as the “list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions”). In the case of a person voting as proxy for an elector, the number to be entered together with the voter's name must be the elector's number.

(5) In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, paragraph (4) applies as if for “in the register of electors of every voter” there were substituted “relating to every voter in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(6) The declaration made by the companion—

(a)must be in the appropriate form,

(b)must be made before the presiding officer at the time when the voter applies to vote with the assistance of a companion, and

(c)must forthwith be given to the presiding officer who must attest and retain it.

(7) No fee or other payment may be charged in respect of the declaration.

(8) Where any other ordinary Authority election in the Assembly constituency is contested, the same list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions may be used for the election and each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that the votes were so given in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which the vote was so given.

Tendered ballot papers: circumstances where available

42.—(1) If a person, representing himself to be—

(a)a particular elector named in the register and not named in the absent voters list, or

(b)a particular person named in the list of proxies as proxy for an elector and not entitled to vote by post as proxy,

applies for a ballot paper after another person has voted in person either as the elector or his proxy, the applicant must, on satisfactorily answering the questions permitted by law to be asked at the poll, be entitled, subject to the following provisions of this rule and rule 43, to mark a ballot paper (in these Rules referred to as “a tendered ballot paper”) in the same manner as any other voter.

(2) Paragraph (4) applies if—

(a)a person applies for a ballot paper representing himself to be a particular elector named in the register,

(b)he is also named in the postal voters list, and

(c)he claims that he did not make an application to vote by post at the election.

(3) Paragraph (4) also applies if—

(a)a person applies for a ballot paper representing himself to be a particular person named as a proxy in the list of proxies,

(b)he is also named in the proxy postal voters list, and

(c)he claims that he did not make an application to vote by post as proxy.

(4) The person must, on satisfactorily answering the questions permitted by law to be asked at the poll, be entitled, subject to the following provisions of this rule and rule 43, to mark a ballot paper (in these Rules referred to as a “tendered ballot paper”) in the same manner as any other voter.

(5) Paragraph (6) applies if before the close of the poll but after the last time at which a person may apply for a replacement postal ballot paper, a person represents himself to be—

(a)a particular elector named in the register who is also named in the postal voters list, or

(b)a particular person named as a proxy in the list of proxies and who is also named in the proxy postal voters list,

and claims that he has lost or has not received his postal ballot paper.

(6) The person must, on satisfactorily answering the questions permitted by law to be asked at the poll, be entitled, subject to the provisions of this rule and rule 43, to mark a ballot paper (in these Rules referred to as a “tendered ballot paper”) in the same manner as any other voter.

[^F133(7)Paragraphs (1A) to (1M) of rule 39 apply in the case of a person who seeks to mark a tendered ballot paper under this rule as they apply in the case of a voter who applies for a ballot paper under rule 39(1), but as if, in rule 39(1G) the reference to making a further application under paragraph (1) of rule 39 were to seeking a further time to mark a tendered ballot paper under the paragraph of this rule under which the first such attempt was made.^F133]

Tendered ballot papers: general provisions

43.—(1) A tendered ballot paper must—

(a)be of a colour differing from the other ballot papers,

(b)instead of being put into the ballot box, be given to the presiding officer and endorsed by him with the name of the voter and his number on the register of electors, and set aside in a separate packet.

(2) The name of the voter and his number on the register of electors must be entered on a list (in these Rules referred to as the “tendered votes list”).

(3) In the case of a person voting as proxy for an elector, the number to be endorsed or entered together with the voter's name must be the number of that elector.

(4) In the case of an elector who has an anonymous entry, this rule and rule 42 apply subject to the following modifications—

(a)in paragraphs (1)(b) and (2) above, the references to the name of the voter must be ignored,

(b)otherwise, a reference to a person named on a register or list must be construed as a reference to a person whose number appears in the register or list (as the case may be).

(5) In the case of a person in respect of whom a notice has been issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, this rule and rule 42 apply as if—

(a)in rule 42(1)(a), (2)(a) and (5)(a), for “named in the register” there were substituted “in respect of whom a notice under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act has been issued”,

(b)in paragraph (1)(b) of this rule for “his number in the register of electors” there were substituted “the number relating to him on a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”,

(c)in paragraph (2) of this rule, for “his number in the register of electors” there were substituted “the number relating to him on a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act”.

(6) Where any other ordinary Authority election in the Assembly constituency is contested, the same tendered votes list may be used for the election and each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that tendered ballot papers were marked in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which a tendered ballot paper was delivered.

[^F134Refusal to deliver ballot paper

43A.—(1)Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as an elector, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a)the voter’s electoral number, and

(b)against that number, the reason for the refusal.

(2)Where a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter who applied for one as a proxy, the officer or a clerk must enter on the ballot paper refusal list—

(a)the name and address of the voter, and

(b)against those details, the reason for the refusal.

(3)Paragraphs (4) and (5) apply where—

(a)a presiding officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under rule 39(1E), and

(b)the voter makes a further application as permitted by rule 39(1G).

(4)If a ballot paper is delivered to the voter following that application, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(5)If the presiding officer again refuses to deliver a ballot paper to the voter, the presiding officer or a clerk must note that fact on the ballot paper refusal list.

(6)Entries required by this rule to be made on the ballot paper refusal list must be made as soon as practicable after delivery of a ballot paper to a voter is refused (or, in the case mentioned in paragraph (4), as soon as practicable after the delivery of a ballot paper to a voter).

(7)For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a)allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b)where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(8)Subject to rule 39(1G) and paragraph (9), a refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.

(9)A refusal to deliver a ballot paper to a voter is subject to review on an election petition.

(10)In this rule—

(a)except in paragraph (3)(a), any reference to the refusal to deliver a ballot paper (however expressed) is to the refusal to do so under rule 37(3) or 39(1E), and

(b)any reference to paragraph (1E) or (1G) of rule 39 includes a reference to that paragraph as applied by rule 40, 41 or 42.^F134]

Spoilt and replacement ballot papers

44.—(1) A voter who has inadvertently dealt with his ballot paper in such manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot paper may, on delivering it to the presiding officer and proving to his satisfaction the fact of the inadvertence, obtain a replacement for the ballot paper so delivered (in these Rules referred to as “a spoilt ballot paper”), and the spoilt ballot paper must be immediately cancelled.

(2) If a voter decides, after he has returned his ballot paper and it has been cancelled in accordance with rule 39(6), but before the close of the poll, that he wishes to vote in the election, he may obtain a replacement for the returned ballot paper.

(3) Before a replacement ballot paper is obtained, the presiding officer must mark the corresponding number list that was marked under rule 39(1) (the corresponding number list)—

(a)in the case of a ballot paper being replaced under paragraph (1) or (2), beside the number of the replacement ballot paper obtained to show—

(i)the number of the elector, and

(ii)the number of the ballot paper which is being replaced; and

(b)in the case of a ballot paper being replaced under paragraph (1), beside the number of the spoilt ballot paper to show that the ballot paper was replaced.

(4) Where any other ordinary Authority election in the Assembly constituency is contested, the voter must only receive a replacement for a spoilt or returned ballot paper.

(5) If the same corresponding number list is used for more than one Authority election in accordance with rule 39(7)—

(a)the marks made under paragraph (3) must identify the election for which a ballot paper has been replaced, and

(b)any ballot paper which the voter has not applied for or obtained as a replacement, but which bears the same ballot paper number as a ballot paper delivered under rule 39(1), or obtained under paragraph (1) or (2) of this rule—

(i)must not be delivered to the voter,

(ii)must be cancelled, and

(iii)for the purposes of these rules, must be treated as a spoilt ballot paper.

Correction of errors on day of poll

45.—(1) The presiding officer must keep a list of persons to whom ballot papers are delivered in consequence of an alteration to the register made by virtue of section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act which takes effect on the day of the poll.

(2) Where any other ordinary Authority election in the Assembly constituency is contested, the same list referred to in paragraph (1) may be used for the election and each Authority election, and where it is so used, an entry in that list must be taken to mean that ballot papers were delivered in respect of each Authority election, unless the list identifies the election for which a tendered ballot paper was delivered.

[^F135Collection and disclosure of information relating to applications made under rules 39 to 42

45A.—(1)This rule applies in relation to an election to which the Secretary of State’s duty under section 59A(4) of the 1983 Act (reports on voter identification requirements in respect of local government elections) applies.

(2)The presiding officer must—

(a)collect the information described in regulation 34 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collection of information by presiding officer) relating to applications made under rules 38(1), 39(1), 40(1) or 41(1), and

(b)provide that information to the returning officer as soon as practicable after the close of the poll.

(3)The returning officer must forward the information to the relevant registration officer.

(4)As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the information the relevant registration officer must—

(a)anonymise the information by removing from it all names and electoral numbers of the people to whom the information relates, and

(b)collate the information in accordance with regulation 35 of the Voter Identification Regulations 2022 (collation of information by relevant registration officer).

The information as anonymised and collated in accordance with this paragraph is referred to in the rest of this rule as “the paragraph (4) information”.

(5)The relevant registration officer must provide the paragraph (4) information—

(a)to the Secretary of State, as soon as reasonably practicable after taking the steps required by paragraph (4), and

(b)where they request the information, to the Electoral Commission.

(6)The relevant registration officer must not disclose the paragraph (4) information otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (5).

(7)The relevant registration officer must retain the information anonymised in accordance with paragraph (4)(a) for at least 10 years.

(8)For the purpose of paragraph (4)(a), a person’s “electoral number” is the number—

(a)allocated to the person as stated in the copy of the register of electors, or

(b)where an entry relating to the person is added to the register in pursuance of a notice issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act, as stated in the copy of that notice.

(9)Except as provided by paragraph (10), a disclosure of information under this rule does not breach—

(a)any obligation of confidence owed by the presiding officer, the returning officer or a registration officer, or

(b)any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(10)Nothing in this rule authorises the making of a disclosure that contravenes the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, the duties imposed by paragraphs (2) and (3) are to be taken into account).

(11)In this rule, “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018.^F135]

Adjournment of poll in case of riot

46.—(1) Where the proceedings at any polling station are interrupted or obstructed by riot or open violence, the presiding officer must adjourn the proceedings till the following day and must forthwith give notice to the CRO.

(2) Where the poll is adjourned at any polling station—

(a)the hours of polling on the day to which it is adjourned must be the same as for the original day, and

(b)references in these Rules to the close of the poll must be construed accordingly.

(3) As soon as practicable after being informed of the adjournment of a poll, the CRO must inform the GLRO of that fact and of the cause of its adjournment.

Procedure on close of poll

47.—(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the presiding officer must, in the presence of the polling agents, make up into separate packets, sealed with his own seal and the seals of such polling agents as desire to affix their seals—

(a)each ballot box in use at the station, sealed so as to prevent the introduction of additional ballot papers and unopened, but with the key attached,

(b)the unused and spoilt ballot papers placed together,

(c)the tendered ballot papers,

(d)the marked copies of the register of electors (including any marked copy notices issued under section 13B(3B) or (3D) of the 1983 Act) and of the list of proxies,

[^F136(da)the ballot paper refusal list completed in accordance with rule 43A,^F136]

(e)the list prepared under rule 19, including the part completed in accordance with rule 39(1)(b) (together referred to in these Rules as “the completed corresponding number list”),

(f)the certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll,

(g)the tendered votes list, the list of voters with disabilities assisted by companions, the list of votes marked by the presiding officer, a statement of the number of voters whose votes are so marked by the presiding officer under the heads “disability” and “unable to read”, the list maintained under rule 45, and the declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities,

and must deliver the packets or cause them to be delivered to the CRO to be taken charge of by him; but if the packets are not delivered by the presiding officer personally to the CRO, the arrangements for their delivery must be approved by the CRO.

(2) The contents of the packets referred to in paragraph (1)(b), (c) and (f) must not be combined with the contents of the packets made under the corresponding rule that applies at any other Authority election.

(3) The marked copies of the register of electors and of the list of proxies must be in one packet but must not be in the same packet as the completed corresponding number list or the certificates as to employment on duty on the day of the poll.

(4) The packets must be accompanied by a statement (“ballot paper account”) showing the number of ballot papers entrusted to the presiding officer, and accounting for them under the heads—

(a)ballot papers issued and not otherwise accounted for,

(b)unused ballot papers,

(c)spoilt ballot papers, and

(d)tendered ballot papers.

(5) The statement referred to in paragraph (4) may be combined with the statements produced in relation to other Authority elections and the combined statement must be arranged in such manner as the GLRO may direct.

Attendance at verification and the local count

48.—(1) As soon as practicable after the close of the poll, the CRO must make arrangements for carrying out, in the presence of the counting agents, the verification and the counting of the votes at the election and must give to the counting agents notice in writing of the time and place at which he will begin to verify and count the votes.

(2) No person other than—

(a)the CRO and his clerks and technical assistants,

(b)the GLRO,

(c)the candidates and one other person chosen by each of them,

(d)the election agents,

(e)the counting agents,

(f)persons who are entitled to attend by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the 2000 Act,

may be present at the verification and counting of the votes, unless permitted by the CRO to attend.

(3) A person not entitled to attend the local verification and count must not be permitted to do so by the CRO unless he—

(a)is satisfied that the efficient conduct of those proceedings will not be impeded, and

(b)has either consulted the election agents or thought it impracticable to do so.

(4) The CRO must give the counting agents all such reasonable facilities for overseeing the proceedings, and all such information with respect to them, as he can give them consistently with the orderly conduct of the proceedings and the discharge of his duties in connection with them.

Use of the electronic counting system

49.—(1) The GLRO may provide the CRO with an electronic counting system consisting of computer hardware, software and other equipment or services, for the purpose of counting the number of ballot papers, to verify the ballot paper accounts and to count the votes cast on them.

(2) Any verification of ballot paper accounts, count or re-count at the election conducted using the electronic counting system must be conducted in accordance with rule 50.

(3) If the GLRO has provided the CRO with an electronic counting system for use at the election, the CRO must obtain the prior written consent of the GLRO before he may conduct the verification of ballot paper accounts or count the votes manually.

(4) If the verification of ballot paper accounts, count or re-count has commenced using the electronic counting system but has not been completed, the CRO may, if he considers it appropriate, discontinue the count and instead count the votes manually.

(5) Where the count or a re-count has been conducted using the electronic counting system, the CRO may, if he considers it appropriate, conduct any re-count without using that system.

(6) Where verification or any count or re-count is conducted using the electronic counting system, any of the steps referred to rule 50, in so far as practicable, may be undertaken—

(a)concurrently with any other of those steps, or

(b)in a different order.

Verification and the local count

50.—(1) The CRO must—

(a)open the ballot boxes from each polling station together, in the presence of the counting agents appointed for the purposes of the election and any other Authority election,

(b)cause the electronic counting system to count such of the postal ballot papers as have been duly returned in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) and record separately the number counted,

(c)not mix the contents of any ballot box with the contents of any other ballot box during the conduct of any count or re-count.

(2) A postal ballot paper must not be taken to be duly returned unless—

(a)it is returned in the manner set out in paragraph (3) and reaches the CRO or any polling station in the Assembly constituency that includes the electoral area for which the elector is registered as a local government elector, before the close of the poll,

(b)the postal voting statement, duly signed, is also returned in the manner set out in paragraph (3) and reaches him or such polling station before that time,

(c)the postal voting statement also states the date of birth of the elector or proxy (as the case may be), and

(d)^M36in a case where the steps for verifying the date of birth and signature of an elector or proxy have been prescribed by regulations made under the 1983 Act , the CRO (having taken such steps) verifies the date of birth and signature of the elector or proxy (as the case may be).

(3) The manner in which any postal paper or postal voting statement may be returned—

(a)to the CRO, is by hand or by post,

(b)to a polling station in the Assembly constituency, is by hand.

[^F137(3A)A postal ballot paper or postal voting statement that reaches the CRO or a polling station mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (2) at or after the close of the poll is treated for the purposes of paragraph (2) as reaching that officer or polling station before the close of the poll if it is delivered by a person who, at the close of the poll, is in the polling station, or in a queue outside the polling station, for the purpose of returning it.^F137]

(4) After completing the proceedings under paragraph (1), the CRO must cause the electronic counting system to process the ballot papers so as to count—

(a)the number of ballot papers, and

(b)votes given on the ballot papers.

(5) The CRO must not cause the electronic counting system to count any tendered ballot paper.

(6) The CRO must verify each ballot paper account by comparing it with the number of ballot papers processed by the electronic counting system, and the unused and spoilt ballot papers in his possession and the tendered votes list (opening and resealing the packets containing the unused and spoilt ballot papers and the tendered votes list) and must draw up a statement as to the result of the verification, which any election agent may copy.

(7) The CRO, while verifying the ballot paper accounts and counting the votes, must take all proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the numbers printed on the back of the papers.

(8) The CRO must so far as practicable proceed continuously with counting the votes, allowing only time for refreshment, except that the hours between 5 in the afternoon and 10 on the following morning may be excluded with the prior consent of the GLRO.

(9) During the time so excluded the CRO must—

(a)place the ballot papers and other documents relating to the election under his own seal and the seals of such of the counting agents as desire to affix their seals, and

(b)otherwise take proper precautions for the security of the papers and documents.

Rejected ballot papers

51.—(1) Any ballot paper—

(a)which does not bear the official mark,

(b)on which votes are given for more than one party or individual candidate,

(c)on which anything is written or marked by which the voter can be identified except the printed number and other unique identifying mark on the back,

(d)which is unmarked, or

(e)which is void for uncertainty,

is, subject to paragraph (2), void and must not be counted.

(2) A ballot paper on which the vote is marked—

(a)elsewhere than in the proper place, or

(b)otherwise than by means of a cross, or

(c)by more than one mark,

must not for such reason be void if an intention that the vote be given for one only of the party or individual candidates clearly appears, and the way the paper is marked does not itself identify the voter and it is not shown that he can be identified by it.

(3) Where the electronic counting system identifies a ballot paper that has been marked, but which appears for whatever reason to be void, it must be examined by a clerk appointed by the CRO in the manner referred to in paragraph (6).

(4) If the clerk, having examined the ballot, considers that the vote is void then the CRO must examine it in the manner referred to in paragraph (6).

(5) After the CRO examines the ballot paper, he must give his decision as to the validity of the vote.

(6) An examination under paragraph (3) or (4) is to be made by the clerk or CRO examining an image of the ballot paper which is shown on a screen so as to be visible to those attending the count.

(7) The CRO may examine any ballot paper that he is not required to examine in accordance with paragraph (4)—

(a)either in the manner referred to in paragraph (6), or

(b)by examining a paper copy,

and where the CRO does so, he must give a decision on that paper in accordance with paragraph (5).

(8) No person attending the count is to be entitled to require the clerk or CRO to examine a ballot paper or to provide a paper copy for inspection.

(9) A record of the CRO's decision must be retained in the electronic counting system together with, in the case of a decision that the ballot paper is void, his reasons by reference to paragraph (1).

(10) Where a counting agent objects to the CRO's decision the CRO must record on the electronic counting system that the decision was objected to.

(11) The CRO must draw up a statement showing the number of ballot papers rejected under the several heads of—

(a)want of an official mark,

(b)voting for more than one party or individual candidate,

(c)writing or mark by which the voter could be identified,

(d)unmarked ballot paper, or

(e)void for uncertainty.

(12) As soon as practicable after the completion of the statement under paragraph (11) the CRO must inform—

(a)such candidates, election agents and counting agents as are present at the count, and

(b)the GLRO,

of its contents.

Decision on ballot papers

52. The decision of the CRO on any question arising in respect of a ballot paper is final, but may be subject to review on an election petition.

Re-count

53.—(1) A candidate or his election agent (including, in the case of a list candidate, the election agent for that list) or a counting agent authorised under rule 31(3) may, if present when the counting or any re-count of the votes is completed, require the CRO to have the votes re-counted or again re-counted but the CRO may refuse to do so if in his opinion the request is unreasonable.

(2) No step may be taken on the completion of the counting or any re-count of votes until the candidates and election agents and counting agents authorised under rule 31(1) present at its completion have been given a reasonable opportunity to exercise the right conferred by this rule.

(3) The CRO may determine the extent to which any re-count involves the electronic counting of votes.

(4) When the returning officer uses the electronic counting system for the re-counting of votes, he must not re-consider any decision made on any ballot paper under rule 51(5).

Procedure at conclusion of local count

54.—(1) As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the local count (including any re-count), the CRO must draw up a statement showing—

(a)the total number of votes cast,

(b)the total number of votes rejected under rule 51,

(c)the number of votes given for each registered party, and

(d)the number of votes cast for each individual candidate.

(2) As soon as practicable after the statement is drawn up under paragraph (1), the CRO must inform the GLRO of its contents, and if it is practicable to do so, must also provide that information so as to show the total number of votes under each of those heads in each ward.

(3) As soon as practicable after the GLRO has authorised him to do so, the CRO must—

(a)inform such of the candidates and their election agents as are then present of the content of the statements prepared in accordance with rule 51 and paragraph (1) of this rule, and

(b)give public notice of the contents of those statements.

Attendance at allocation of seats

55.—(1) The GLRO must make arrangements for making the allocation of seats in the presence of the election agents of the individual candidates (including, in the case of a list candidate, the election agent for that list), and he must give to those agents notice in writing of the time and place at which he will begin the allocation.

(2) No person other than—

(a)the GLRO and his clerks,

(b)the CROs and a clerk or technical assistant chosen by each of them,

(c)the individual candidates and one person chosen by each of them,

(d)candidates included on a party list and one person chosen by each of them,

(e)the election agents,

(f)the nominating officers of those registered parties standing nominated at the election,

(g)persons who are entitled to attend by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the 2000 Act,

(h)persons permitted to be present at the central calculation at the election of the Mayor of London,

may be present at an allocation, unless permitted by the GLRO to attend.

(3) A person not entitled to attend an allocation must not be permitted to do so by the GLRO unless the GLRO—

(a)is satisfied that the efficiency of the allocation will not be impeded, and

(b)has either consulted the election agents or thought it impracticable to do so.

The calculation

56.—(1) As soon as the GLRO has received from every CRO the information required by rule 54 he must calculate the London figure for each registered party and individual candidate.

(2) As soon as the GLRO has ascertained the result of the calculation, he must inform such of the election agents for the candidates as are then present of the relevant figures and must give them a reasonable opportunity to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the calculation.

(3) Where information of the description mentioned in paragraph (4)(e) is given in accordance with paragraph (2), the GLRO must provide the persons to whom it was given with a statement containing—

(a)the names of the persons concerned, and

(b)with respect to each such person, the name of the party from whose list his name has been omitted or treated as omitted, and the reason therefor.

(4) In this rule, “the relevant figures” means—

(a)the number of London votes given in the Assembly constituencies for each registered party and for each individual candidate at that election,

(b)in respect of each party, the number of successful candidates to be constituency members, who were the subject of that party's authorisation under rule 6(5) or 6(7) of the [^F138Constituency MembersElection Rules^F138] ,

(c)the calculation of the London figure,

(d)any recalculation required by paragraph 8(3), or carried out in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph 8(8), of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act, and

(e)the number of persons whose names have been omitted from, or (pursuant to paragraph 8(10) of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act) who are to be treated as ceasing to be on, a party list.

(5) Paragraph (6) applies where the GLRO is notified under rule 54(5) of the Constituency MembersElection Rules that a candidate who is returned as a constituency member is the candidate with a description authorised under rule 6(7)(a) of those rules (a using a description registered by more than one party).

(6) Where this paragraph applies, the GLRO must, in calculating the London figure of each registered party whose nominating officer issued a certificate to which rule 6(7)(a) of the Constituency MembersElection Rules refers, include that candidate as a candidate of that party; and in doing so must disregard the fact that for the purposes of calculating the London figure of another registered party, the candidate is also included as the candidate of that other registered party.

PART 5Final Proceedings In Contested And Uncontested Elections

Declaration of result

57.—(1) The GLRO must declare the allocation of the seats for London members and, where seats are allocated to a registered party, the names of the persons on the party list who, in accordance with paragraph 8(5) of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act, are to fill those seats.

(2) The GLRO must give public notice of—

(a)the registered parties to which seats for London members have been allocated and the names of the list candidates by whom those seats are to be filled,

(b)the names of the successful individual candidates,

(c)the total number of London votes given for each registered party and each individual candidate,

(d)the total number of candidates of registered parties returned as constituency members,

(e)the number of rejected ballot papers under each head shown in the statement of rejected ballot papers,

(f)the name of every person included on a party list who has been omitted from, or (pursuant to paragraph 8(10) of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Act) is to be treated as ceasing to be on, that list, together with the reason for the omission or cessation, as the case may be.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), after the GLRO complies with paragraphs (1) and (2), he may give public notice of the information referred to paragraph (2)(c) and (e) so as to set out the number of votes falling under each of those heads, in respect of each ward.

^F139(4) Where the sum of ...votes given for all registered parties and individual candidates in any ward does not exceed 500, the GLRO must not give notice under paragraph (3) in respect of that ward alone, but must amalgamate the figures for that ward with those for any other ward in which more than 500 votes have been given, in the same Assembly constituency.

Return or forfeiture of candidate's deposit

58.—(1) Unless forfeited in accordance with paragraph (5), the deposit made under rule 10 must be returned to the person making it or his personal representative.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), the deposit must be returned not later than the next day after that on which the result of the election is declared.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

(a)a day must be disregarded if, in accordance with rule 4, it would be disregarded in computing any period of time for the purposes of the timetable for the election, and

(b)the deposit will be treated as being returned on a day if a cheque for the amount of the deposit is posted on that day.

(4) If the individual candidate or registered party is not shown as standing nominated in the statement of persons nominated, or if proof has been given to the GLRO before the allocation of seats of the death of an individual candidate, then the deposit must be returned as soon as practicable after the publication of the statement or after the individual candidate's death, as the case may be.

(5) Where a poll is taken, if, after the declaration under rule 57, a candidate or registered party is found not to have polled more than one-fortieth of the total number of votes polled by all the candidates and registered parties, the deposit must be forfeited to the Greater London Authority.

PART 6Disposal Of Documents

Sealing up of ballot papers

59.—(1) On the completion of the counting at a contested election the CRO must seal up in separate packets the counted and rejected ballot papers.

(2) Where some or all of the votes have been counted using the electronic counting system, the CRO must also seal up in a separate packet a complete electronic record (“the electronic record”) of the information stored in the electronic counting system, held in such device as may be suitable for the purpose of its storage.

(3) After making the electronic record under paragraph (2), the CRO must arrange for the original records in the electronic counting system to be removed from it and destroyed in a manner that ensures that the secrecy of those records is preserved.

(4) The CRO must not open the sealed packets of—