Part 1: Administration and Conduct of Elections Voter Identification, applications for postal and proxy votes, etc. Schedule 1: Voter Identification
Schedule 1 amends the RPA 1983, primarily to introduce new requirements for voter identification for UK Parliamentary elections taking place in Great Britain. Some minor changes to existing voter identification procedure and provisions in Northern Ireland are also included in the Schedule to reflect some of the provisions being introduced for Great Britain or to support existing law.
	Paragraph 2 inserts new sections 13BD ("Electoral identity document: Great Britain") and 13BE ("Anonymous elector’s document: Great Britain'') into the RPA 1983. New section 13BD(1) creates a new form of identification document which will be an accepted form of identification at a polling station. This document is referred to as a "Voter Card" in the remainder of the commentary on Schedule 1. The Voter Card is available to people who are registered, or have applied to be registered, to vote in parliamentary elections in Great Britain and local government elections in England, and to registered electors who are eligible to vote (or will be once registered) in PCC elections in Wales (or will be once they have reached age 18). This is to reflect the elections where the requirement to show photographic identification will apply as a result of the Act, or as a result of future proposed changes to secondary legislation. Electors will be able to apply for a Voter Card from the Electoral registration officer for any area in which they are registered. They will be able to apply for it at the same time as they apply to be registered to vote.
	Subsection (3) requires the registration officer to determine an application in accordance with regulations. Subsections (4) to (6) provide further regulation-making powers in relation to the timing for applications, and the issuing and collection of Voter Cards, including power if necessary to amend the parliamentary elections conduct rules (contained in Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983) if collection is to take place at a polling station.
	Subsection (7) requires the registration officer to issue the Voter Card to the person free of charge. Subsections (8) to (11) create additional regulation-making powers about information to be contained on Voter Cards, others aspects of the form of the Voter Card, including the ability to confer a role in relation to design of the content or the form of the Voter Card on the Electoral Commission, and any period of validity of a Voter Card (which may be used to create temporary versions of Voter Cards).
	New section 13BE largely mirrors new section 13BD, but for people who are registered as an anonymous elector, so that they may apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document. Eligibility is otherwise the same as under new section 13BD, and anonymous electors would also be able to apply for an Anonymous Elector’s Document at the same time as they apply for an anonymous entry in the electoral register. The provisions of new section 13BE are essentially the same as those governing section 13BD except that the Anonymous Elector’s Document must contain the person’s electoral number rather than their name.
	Given that the Anonymous Elector’s Document will need to contain the person’s electoral number, which is subject to change, subsection (12) creates an additional regulation-making power which can be used to authorise or require a reminder to be sent to an anonymous elector about the need to obtain an anonymous elector’s document, and to require a registration officer to issue the holder of an Anonymous Elector’s Document with a new document in prescribed circumstances, for example where the officer has renumbered their register and allocated a new number to that anonymous elector.
	Paragraph 3 amends section 13C of the RPA 1983 under which electoral identity cards are already issued in Northern Ireland. It inserts new subsections (3A) and (3B) to mirror some regulation-making powers which are in section 13BD for Great Britain. New subsection (3A) provides that regulations can make provision about issue and collection of electoral identity cards. New subsection (3B) provides that amendments can be made to Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983 if that is necessary due to making regulations about collection from a polling station. New subsection (4A) enables regulations to be made about the information to be included on a card, and the form of the card. Currently the Chief Electoral Officer determines these points.
	Paragraph 4 amends section 13CZA (provision of false information: application for electoral identity card) of the RPA 1983, which currently only applies to Northern Ireland but is widened to extend to the whole of the UK by paragraph 38 of this Schedule, and therefore to applications for voter cards and Anonymous Elector’s Document in Great Britain.
	Paragraph 4(3) substitutes new subsections (5) and (6) to include the penalties if the offence is committed in England, Wales or Scotland. A person is liable on summary conviction in England and Wales to a maximum imprisonment of 51 weeks (but subject to the rule in subsection (6)) or a fine, or both, on summary conviction in Scotland to imprisonment for a maximum of 12 months, or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both). In Northern Ireland the penalty remains imprisonment for a maximum of 6 months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both).
	Paragraph 5 amends section 56 of the RPA 1983 to expand the existing types of registration decision that can be appealed in England and Wales, so that an appeal can also be made against an ERO’s refusal of an application for a Voter Card or an Anonymous Elector’s Document. This change also applies to ERO decisions in Scotland by virtue of section 57. Paragraph 6 makes the same change to section 58 to enable an appeal against the Chief Electoral Officer’s refusal of an application for an electoral identity card in Northern Ireland.
	Paragraph 7 inserts a new section 59A into the RPA 1983. It introduces a requirement for the Secretary of State to prepare and publish evaluations regarding the effect of voter identification requirements on electors applying for ballot papers.
	Subsection (2) specifies that these evaluations should take place following the first two UK Parliamentary general elections taking place after section 59A comes into force. Under subsections (3) to (5), if corresponding requirements about the production of identification at polling stations are introduced for local government elections (which would be through secondary legislation), the requirement to publish an evaluation would also apply to the first ‘stand-alone’ set of local council elections (but not a by-election).
	Subsection (6) requires that any data collected under new rule 40B in Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983 (or under a corresponding provision for local council elections) is taken into account when preparing the evaluations). Under rule 40B, the data collected is to be prescribed in regulations but is likely to be the types of identification document presented by people, and whether they are refused a ballot paper and if so, the reasons for that.
	Paragraph 8 amends section 61 (other voting offences) of the RPA 1983 under which it is an offence to vote more than once. Under subsection (6), applying for a ballot paper is treated as having voted. The amendment inserts a new subsection (6ZA) and (6ZB) which ensure that an elector would not be treated as having committed any offence related to trying to obtain multiple ballots simply because they made permitted further applications for a ballot paper, where the previous application(s) were refused under rule 37 of the Parliamentary elections rules (see below) on the grounds that they did not show an accepted form of identification.
	Paragraph 9 extends section 66B (failure to comply with conditions relating to supply etc of certain documents) of the RPA 1983. Section 66B makes it an offence to breach rules set out in regulations which restrict inspection or disclosure of important electoral documentation. The amendment means this offence would also apply in respect of a breach of similar regulations under the new rule 19B (inserted by the Act) which will set out conditions for inspection or disclosure of the date of birth list or new rule 56A (also inserted by the Act) which will set out the conditions for inspection or disclosure of the ballot paper refusal list.
	Paragraphs 11 to 33 amend the rules for the conduct of UK Parliamentary elections, which are set out in Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983, to introduce voter identification in Great Britain, and make connected changes, including to existing rules for Northern Ireland.
	Paragraph 11 inserts new rule 19B (date of birth lists for polling stations in Northern Ireland) into Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983 in respect of Northern Ireland only. Rule 19B places a duty upon the Chief Electoral Officer to provide date of birth lists for each polling station in Northern Ireland. The date of birth lists must contain the date of birth for each voter allotted to the polling station, and each person voting as proxy at that polling station. This is for the purpose of enabling polling station staff to carry out their duty to check on a voter’s or proxy’s date of birth as provided for under rule 37(1B)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983 (as inserted by paragraph 17(4)) where the apparent age of the voter compared to the date supplied by the voter when they registered to vote (or were appointed as a proxy, in the case of a proxy registered to vote in Great Britain) raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the voter is the elector or proxy they represent themself to be.
	Under new rule 19B(1) the Chief Electoral Officer must provide to each polling station a list containing the date of birth (supplied by the elector when they registered to vote) for all electors allotted to vote at that polling station. The Chief Electoral Officer must also provide a list containing the dates of birth supplied at registration of all proxies voting on behalf of electors allotted to that polling station. Under rule 19B(2) where the proxy is on a register in Great Britain the list should contain the date of birth of the proxy provided on the application for a proxy vote. Where the proxy is registered in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain the list should contain the date of birth provided when they registered to vote in Northern Ireland. Rule 19B(3) provides that these lists should contain sufficient information to allow the staff at a polling station to carry out the checks when required.
	Rule 19B(4) and (5) prohibit the Chief Electoral Officer, any person to whom the Chief Electoral Officer has delegated functions, the presiding officer, clerk or other officer appointed to work at the polling station from allowing date of birth lists to be inspected, supplying the lists to another person, or making use of the information contained within the lists, otherwise than in accordance with the rules (including any regulations made under paragraph (6) of rule 19B).
	Rule 19B(6) to (9) provide that regulations may make provision in relation to inspection or disclosure of the date of birth lists. Rule 19B(6)(a) and (b) provide that regulations may be made enabling inspection of the lists by prescribed persons and authorising or requiring prescribed persons to supply a copy of the lists to persons prescribed.
	Rule 19B(6)(c) provides that the regulations may make provision in relation to the payment of a fee in respect of inspecting the list or the supply of the list. Any fee will be limited and the amount set in the regulations.
	Rule 19B(7) provides that regulations made under paragraph (6)(a) or (b) may impose conditions in relation to the inspection of a list, supply of a copy of a list or the purposes for which information contained in the date of birth list can be used following inspection or supply.
	Rule 19B(8) provides that the conditions that may be imposed under paragraph (7)(b) in relation to supply of a copy of a list include conditions relating to the extent to which a person who has received a copy of the list may supply the copy to another person, disclose to another person information in the list or use any such information other than the purpose for which it was supplied.
	Rule 19B(9) ensures that regulations made under paragraph (6) may also impose conditions on the supply, disclosure or use of information in the lists mirroring any conditions made in paragraph (8) on any person who has received a copy of the list or had information disclosed to them from the list under paragraph (8).
	Paragraph 12 amends rule 25 (provision of polling stations) of Schedule 1 RPA 1983 to provide that every polling station must have an area for an elector to have their identification viewed in private.
	Paragraph 13 amends rule 26 (appointment of Presiding Officers and clerks). Rule 26(3) enables clerks to act for the Presiding Officer, but paragraph 13(2) amends this to ensure that is not the case for refusing to issue a ballot paper in line with the procedures set out in rule 35(3) (failure to answer a statutory question satisfactorily) or rule 37 (failure to show satisfactory identification), or for resolving doubts about a person’s identity. The effect of this provision means that only the Presiding Officer can do this.
	Paragraph 14 adds a new paragraph (3ZA) into rule 28 (issue of official poll cards) of Schedule 1. New paragraph (3ZA) sets out that poll cards issued to electors and proxy voters who vote at a polling station (as opposed to postal voters) in England, Scotland and Wales must include the list of types of identification which are acceptable to enable an elector to vote. This will differ for electors who are registered anonymously, as they will only be able to use their poll card and an Anonymous Elector’s Document together.
	Paragraph 15 amends rule 29 (equipment of polling stations). It inserts a new sub-paragraph into paragraph (3) for elections in Northern Ireland requiring a Returning Officer to provide each polling station with the date of birth lists prepared under Rule 19B.
	Paragraph 15 also amends rule 29 to require additional equipment to be provided to every polling station in England, Scotland and Wales. These are:
under new paragraph (3ZA), a ballot paper refusal list in the prescribed form. This document, required by new rule 40ZB, will be used to record cases where an elector has been refused a ballot paper.
under new paragraph (4A), a large notice to be displayed in each polling station with information about the types of identification that are accepted (again noting that this will differ for anonymous electors), and telling people that further evidence may be needed to resolve any discrepancy between the name on the electoral register and the name on a person’s identification document.
	Paragraph 16 amends rule 35 (questions to be put to voters) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. Paragraph 16(2) inserts two new statutory questions that can be asked of a person seeking to obtain a ballot paper in England, Wales or Scotland. These are likely to be asked where there is a question about whether the person is who they claim to be. These questions are (za) ‘What is your name?" and (zb)" What is your address"? If a clerk asks these questions to a person and they do not answer them satisfactorily, they must refer the matter to the Presiding Officer.
	These new statutory questions will be discretionary for clerks or Presiding Officers to use; there is no mandatory use of the questions. However, where the elector answers the question unsatisfactorily to the Presiding Officer, having been given the ‘required information’ (see paragraph (5) of rule 35, inserted by paragraph 16(6)), they will be refused a ballot paper. Where the questions are asked, answering them satisfactorily is additional to, and not instead of, the requirement to show a valid piece of identification (under rule 37).
	Paragraph 17 amends rule 37 (voting procedure) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983, as it applies to Northern Ireland. Paragraph 17(2) amends the heading of that rule to read "Voting procedure and voter identification requirements: Northern Ireland".
	Paragraph 17(3) inserts a new paragraph (1AA) into rule 37 as it applies to Northern Ireland, which provides that at the voter’s request, the polling station staff must arrange for the voter to have their identification viewed in private. The polling station staff must ensure that no other person can see the voter’s identification, except for any person permitted by the voter.
	Paragraph 17(4) amends paragraph (1B) in rule 37 as it applies to Northern Ireland, such that an officer or clerk must deliver a ballot paper to an elector unless:
they believe that the voter’s age could not plausibly match that which is provided on their identification (this is already a requirement),
they believe that the voter’s age does not plausibly match the date of birth supplied under a relevant provision ("relevant provision" is defined in new paragraph (1DC) of rule 37, which is inserted by paragraph 17(7) of Schedule 1 (see paragraph 140 below)). In the case of an elector or proxy registered to vote in Northern Ireland, this is the date of birth supplied when the voter registered to vote. In the case of proxies registered to vote in Great Britain, this is the date of birth supplied when the person was appointed as a proxy. (This is already a requirement for electors but is a new requirement for proxies),
they have a reasonable suspicion that the identification is forged (this is a new requirement).
	Paragraph 17(5) specifically adds the language of "reasonable suspicion" of a forged document to paragraph (1C), allowing the Presiding Officer to refuse to give an elector a ballot paper in those circumstances. Paragraph 17(6) makes a similar change to paragraph (1D), so that a polling clerk can refuse to issue a ballot paper to an elector where the clerk has a reasonable suspicion that their identification document is forged (as well as on existing grounds), in which case they must refer the matter to the Presiding Officer.
	Paragraph 17(7) inserts a new paragraph (1DA) which ensures that electors in Northern Ireland who have changed their name on their form of identification but not on the electoral register may provide additional proof of their identification to resolve this discrepancy, and will then still be able to obtain a ballot paper as long as the Presiding Officer has no other reason to doubt that the elector is who they claim to be. Paragraph 17(7) also inserts new paragraph (1DB). If the Presiding Officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter because they have reasonable doubt that the voter is who they say they are, the voter can make further applications, and paragraphs (1A) to (1DA) apply again.
	Paragraph 17(7) also inserts new paragraph 1(DC) which defines the term "relevant provision" for the purposes of rule 37(1B).
	Paragraph 17(8) and 17(9) amends paragraph (1E), to make clear that the identification documents should be accepted in any format that they are issued in and regardless of any expiry date, and adds a new paragraph (1EA) which defines a forged document as one that is a false document made to resemble a real document. Paragraph 17(8) also adds two new documents that may be produced as identification in Northern Ireland and clarifies the names of existing documents.
	Paragraph 17(10) inserts a new paragraph (1FA), ensuring that no other person may inspect an elector’s identity document except with the permission of the elector.
	Paragraph 18 amends rule 37 (voting procedure) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983, as it applies to England, Wales and Scotland. Paragraph 18(2) amends the heading of that to read "Voting procedure and voter identification requirements: Great Britain".
	Paragraph 18(3)(a) amends rule 37(1) to provide that a ballot paper must be delivered to a voter who applies for one, subject to the new paragraphs (1A) to (1P) of rule 37, which set out the requirement to produce identification, and also to rule 35 (relating to satisfactorily answering certain questions). Paragraph 18(3)(b) removes rule 37(1)(a), the provision which previously required the number and name of the elector to be called out when an elector was applying for a ballot paper.
	Paragraph 18(4) inserts new paragraphs (1A) to (1T) into rule 37. The effect of these provisions is as follows:
(1A) states that a ballot paper can only be issued to a voter if the voter has shown a ‘specified document’ (defined by paragraphs (1H) to (1K)).
(1B) requires that, at the voter’s request, the polling station staff must arrange for the elector to have their identification viewed in private in England, Wales and Scotland and ensure that no other person can see the voter’s identification, except for any person permitted by the voter.
(1C) and (1D) outline that, where an elector produces a document to the clerk and the clerk decides that the document raises a reasonable doubt as to whether the elector is who they claim to be or that the document presented by the elector is forged (as defined in paragraph (1J), then the clerk must refer the matter to the Presiding Officer (without delivering a ballot paper). The Presiding Officer must proceed as if the documentation was presented to them in the first place (i.e., they must evaluate the document without considering that the clerk referred the matter to them). This ensures that only the Presiding Officer can refuse to issue a ballot paper.
(1E) requires the Presiding Officer to refuse to deliver a ballot paper to the elector if they have a reasonable suspicion over the identity of the elector raised by their identification document or believe their documentation is forged. (1F) provides an exception where the elector provides the Presiding Officer with additional evidence to explain why their name on their identification does not match the name on the register (for example a document showing a change in name after the elector getting married or changing their name for another reason).
(1G) allows that, if the Presiding Officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper to a voter under paragraph (1E), the voter can make further applications, and paragraphs (1A) to (1F) apply again each time.
(1H) lists the acceptable types of identification that a voter (other than an anonymous elector) may produce, and specifies that all of them must contain the voter’s photograph. Paragraph (1I) defines a "United Kingdom passport" and paragraph (1J) sets out a table of all the "relevant concessionary travel pass[es]" which are acceptable identification.
(1K) (along with 1L) sets out that for electors with an anonymous entry in the electoral register, only an anonymous elector’s document issued under section 13BE is a ‘specified document’. This is because other forms of identification will contain their name, but will not contain other information necessary to enable their identity to be properly checked at the polling station. In addition, the anonymous elector’s document must (a) have been issued by the appropriate registration officer (namely, the one for the constituency in which the election is being held, or one such officer if there is more than one), and (b) contain the elector’s current electoral number. This is because an anonymous elector needs to be checked at the polling station against their polling card (which contains their current electoral number, as defined in (1L)) and the electoral register.
(1M) ensures that a specified document includes one which has passed any expiry date (though the photograph on the document would still need to be a good likeness or it may raise a doubt as to whether the voter is who they claim to be – see (1E)). This means that documents such as passports which have an expiry date may continue to be acceptable identification for voting purposes after that date has passed. An exception is provided by (1N) for any Voter Card or anonymous elector’s document which was issued only to be used on the day of a certain poll or polls.
(1Q) confers power to amend the list of ‘specified documents’ in (1H) to (1J), including the list of types of concessionary travel pass and the description of "United Kingdom passport", by regulations. The Voter Card may not be removed from the list.
(1R) states that the power to remove a specified document from the list can only be exercised if the Electoral Commission has recommended this (the Commission could recommend this of their own accord, or the Government could request they consider a proposed change).
(1S) states that only the Presiding Officer or clerk may inspect an identification produced by a voter, except as permitted by the elector, and (1T) outlines that ‘producing a document’ in rule 37 means producing a type of identification for inspection by the polling station staff.
	Paragraph 18(5) amends paragraph (2) of rule 37 which sets out the existing voting procedure for anonymous electors. It removes the requirement for the elector’s electoral registration number to be called out (in line with the removal of rule 37(1)(a). Anonymous electors will still be required to show their official poll card.
	Paragraph 18(6) removes rule 37(3)(a) as a consequence of removing rule 37(1)(a).
	Paragraph 19 amends rule 38 (votes marked by Presiding Officer) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. Rule 38 allows voters who are blind or have another disability or who are unable to read, to have their ballot paper marked by the Presiding Officer. Rule 38(1A) is substituted with new paragraphs (1A) and (1B). New paragraphs (1A) and (1B) provide that the relevant provisions of the voter identification requirements which apply in England, Wales and Scotland, and those which apply in Northern Ireland, also apply to voters in England, Wales and Scotland, and to voters in Northern Ireland respectively, who apply to have the Presiding Officer mark their vote under rule 38. If the voter cannot provide the required form of identification then the companion will be unable to mark the voter’s ballot paper on their behalf.
	Paragraph 20 amends rule 39 (voting by persons with disabilities) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. Rule 39 allows voters who are blind or have another disability or who are unable to read, to apply to be assisted by a companion when they vote. Rule 39(2A) is substituted with new paragraphs (2A) and (2B). New paragraph (2A) and (2B) provide that the relevant provisions of the voter identification requirements which apply in England, Wales and Scotland, and those which apply in Northern Ireland, also apply to voters in England, Wales and Scotland, and to voters in Northern Ireland respectively where a voter wishes to vote with assistance from a companion. If the voter cannot provide the required form of identification then the Presiding Officer will not grant their application.
	Paragraph 21 amends rule 40 (tendered ballot papers) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. Rule 40 makes provision for the issuing of tendered ballot papers in a number of circumstances. Rule 40(1A) is substituted with new paragraphs (1A) to (1AB). These new paragraphs apply the relevant provisions of the voter identification requirements which apply in England, Wales and Scotland, and those which apply in Northern Ireland to voters in England, Wales and Scotland, and to voters in Northern Ireland respectively where a voter seeks to mark a tendered ballot paper; if the voter cannot provide the required form of identification then they will be unable to mark a tendered ballot paper.
	Paragraph 22 inserts new rule 40ZB, entitled "Refusal to deliver ballot paper: Great Britain", into Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. Rule 40ZB(1) to (3) require the ballot paper refusal list to be completed by the Presiding Officer or clerk at an election in England, Wales and Scotland, where a Presiding Officer refuses to deliver a ballot paper either as a consequence of failure of the voter applying as an elector, or as proxy, to answer a question put to them under rule 35 satisfactorily, or as a consequence of the voter’s identification raising a reasonable doubt that the voter is who they say they are. The ballot paper refusal list must include the voter’s electoral number or the name and address of the person for whom the voter applied as proxy, and the reason why a ballot paper was refused.
	Rule 40ZB(4) to (6) deals with where a voter is refused a ballot paper and makes a further application. Rule 40ZB(5) and (6) provides that the Presiding Officer or clerk must record that further application and the outcome on the ballot paper refusal form.
	New rule 40ZB(7) requires that if the ballot paper is refused to the voter, the refusal must be recorded on the ballot paper refusal list as soon as practicable. If the ballot paper is delivered on a further application, this must be recorded on the ballot paper refusal list as soon as practicable after the delivery of the ballot paper to the voter.
	New rule 40ZB(8) defines electoral number for the purposes of completion of the ballot paper refusal list.
	New rule 40ZB(9) provides that a decision to refuse to deliver a ballot paper is final, subject to new rule 37(1G) of the RPA 1983 which allows a voter to make further applications if a ballot paper is refused to them by a Presiding Officer, and rule 40ZB(10) which provides that a decision to refuse a ballot paper is subject to review on an election petition.
	New rule 40ZB(11) explains that reference to a refusal of a ballot paper under rule 37(1D) also includes reference to a refusal of a ballot paper under rule 38, 39, or 40.
	Paragraph 23 amends the heading of existing rule 40A of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983 to read "Refusal to deliver ballot papers: Northern Ireland'', and amends that rule to clarify that after a ballot paper has been refused, further attempts are permitted under rule 37.
	Paragraph 24 inserts new rule 40B which sets out new rules regarding collection and disclosure of information relating to the operation of rule 37:
40B(1) states that the rules apply to elections in England, Scotland and Wales if regulations provide for that to be the case.
40B(2) states the Presiding Officer must collect information (which will be set out in regulations) about applications for ballot papers under rules 37, 38, 39 and 40 and provide this information to the Returning Officer.
40B(3) states that a Returning Office in England or Wales must pass on the information to the relevant registration officer. In Scotland, the information remains with the Returning Officer (sub-paragraph (4)).
40B(5) requires the information to be anonymised, and then collated by the registration officer (or Returning Office in Scotland). The way it is to be collated will be set out in regulations.
40B(6) requires the registration officer (or Returning Officer in Scotland) to pass the anonymised information to the Secretary of State and on request to the Electoral Commission.
40B(7) the registration officer or Returning Officer should not disclose information other than in ways specifically outlined in the Act.
40B(8) the data collected under these measures should be retained for a period of ten years in the anonymised form.
40B(10) to 40B(11) outlines that providing this information doesn’t breach any duty of confidence that registration officers, Returning Officers and Presiding Officers are under, and any other restrictions on disclosing data, but that disclosures in breach of the data protection legislation (as defined by the Data Protection Act 2018 section 3(9)) are not permitted.
40B(12) defines the relevant registration officer for the purposes of data collection as the registration officer of the relevant local authority that the constituency sits in or the registration officer of the local authority with the largest share of electors of the constituency.
	Paragraph 25 adds a new paragraph (1)(db) to rule 43 (procedure on close of poll) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. This requires that after the close of poll, the Presiding Officer must put the ballot paper refusal list in a separate, sealed packet and deliver it to the Returning Officer.
	Paragraph 25 also adds a new paragraph (1)(dc) to rule 43 (procedure on close of poll) for parliamentary elections in Northern Ireland. This requires that after the close of poll the Presiding Officer must put the dates of birth lists in a separate, sealed packet and deliver it to the Returning Officer.
	Paragraph 26 inserts new rule 53B (destruction of date of birth lists: Northern Ireland) into Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. This rule requires the Chief Electoral Officer to destroy the date of birth lists on the next working day following the 21st day after the member has been returned or if an election petition is presented before that time then on the next working day following the conclusion of proceedings or appeal.
	Paragraph 27 adds new paragraph (2)(ba) to rule 54 (sealing up of ballot papers) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. The provision requires that the Returning Officer shall not open the sealed packets of the ballot paper refusal list.
	Paragraph 28 adds a new paragraph (1)(cb) to rule 55 (delivery of documents to registration officer) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. As a result, the Returning Officer must send the completed ballot paper refusal list to the registration officer.
	Paragraph 29 adds a new paragraph (1A) into rule 56 (orders for production of documents) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. New paragraph (1A) provides for the opening of the sealed packet containing the ballot paper refusal list or for the inspection or production of that list by court order if the relevant court is satisfied by evidence on oath that the order is required for the purpose of an election petition relating to an election in England and Wales or Scotland.
	Paragraph 30 inserts a new rule 56A, entitled "Inspection of ballot paper refusal list: Great Britain", into Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983. New rule 56A(1) and (2) provide that further provisions regarding the circumstances in which a registration officer may be authorised to view the ballot paper refusal list after it has been sealed may be set out in regulations. New rule 56(A)(3) provides that further provisions regarding the disclosure of information contained in the ballot paper refusal list by a registration officer may be set out in regulations.
	Paragraph 31 adds a new paragraph (2)(ba) into rule 57 (retention and public inspection of documents) of Schedule 1 to the RPA 1983, which provides that the completed ballot paper refusal list for elections held in England, Wales or Scotland will not be open for public inspection.
	Paragraph 32 adds a new paragraph (2)(ba) into rule 58 (disposal of documents in Scotland), which applies rules 55 to 57 to UK Parliamentary elections in Scotland, to make clear that where rule 56A applies to Scotland, references to the registration officer are to be read as references to the Returning Officer.
	Paragraph 33 amends the Appendix of Forms. Paragraph 33(2) inserts a new paragraph 1 before the existing paragraph 1 in the form of directions for the guidance of the voters in voting. New paragraph 1 sets out that voters will be required to show an approved form of identification before being given a ballot paper. Paragraph 33(3) renumbers the existing paragraphs.
	Currently only Northern Ireland has voter identification requirements. Paragraphs 34 to 39 extend a number of voter identification provisions which currently extend only to Northern Ireland so that they extend to England and Wales and to Scotland as well, and make consequential amendments as a result of those extensions.
	Paragraph 40 repeals section 2(2) of the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985, because this has been superseded by paragraph 13(2) of this Schedule - an amendment to rule 26(3).