3.Part I of the Act establishes the Electoral Commission and sets out the general functions that it is to have, other than those functions relating to the registration of political parties, the scrutiny of political parties’ and third parties’ income and expenditure and the administration of referendums which are covered in Parts II to VII and X. The general functions of the Commission include: reporting on particular elections and referendums; the review of electoral law; the provision of policy development grants to qualifying political parties; and promoting understanding of electoral and political matters. Part I also provides for the transfer to the Electoral Commission of the functions of the four Parliamentary Boundary Commissions and of the Local Government Commission for England and the Local Government Boundary Commissions for Scotland and Wales.
Summary Part I : The Electoral Commission