Commentary on Provisions Local government elections Section 33 – Power of returning officers to postpone election for their area
100.This section amends the 1983 Act to give returning officers a power, in relation to their local government area only, to postpone the poll at the ordinary election for that area by up to 4 weeks. Before fixing another date the returning officer must consult the Secretary of State, the Electoral Commission and the convener of the EMB. As soon as reasonably practicable after fixing another date the returning officer must publish a statement setting out the day fixed for the holding of the poll and the reasons for the exercise of the power.
101.This means that if the poll for the ordinary election was postponed by the convener of the EMB, then again by the returning officer, this could result in the poll for that area being postponed by a period totalling 8 weeks.