Commentary on Sections Part 1 Electoral Administration and Registration Chapter 3: Welsh Elections Piloting and Reform Section 6 – Pilot regulations: requirements
53.Section 6 sets out the requirements placed on Welsh Ministers when making pilot regulations. Subsection (1) requires pilot regulations to describe the objective of the pilot and specify the date by which the Electoral Commission must prepare its report on the operation of the pilot regulations (see section 17(1)).
54.Subsection (2) prohibits the Welsh Ministers from making pilot regulations which apply to the area of a principal council unless that principal council has consented to the pilot, or the Welsh Ministers have had regard to any recommendations made by the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru. However, this prohibition does not apply to any pilot regulations made in the 12 months following the Act receiving Royal Assent where the regulations are for the purpose of testing the arrangements relating to electoral registration without application.
55.Subsection (5) provides that Welsh Ministers must consult with stakeholders they consider appropriate before making pilot regulations relating to the registration of electors without application. It specifically requires Welsh Ministers to consult with stakeholders they deem to represent vulnerable groups.