Commentary on Sections Part 3: Anti-Fraud Measures Section 15 Offences as to false registration information
102.This section amends section 13D of the 1983 Act, which currently only extends to Northern Ireland. As well as extending its application to the whole of the UK, it expands the offence stated in section 13D(1). It will be an offence to provide false information for any purposes connected with registration. Section 13D(3) currently states that in relation to a signature, “false information” means a signature which is not the usual signature of the person, or was written by a person other than the person whose signature it purports to be. The amendments made to section 13D, as it will have effect in Great Britain, also cover information required by the Representation of the People Act 2000 Schedule 4 for the purposes of applications for absent votes. False information provided for the purposes of such applications is also to come within the scope of the offence.
103.Subsections (6) and (7) increase the maximum term of imprisonment in England and Wales to 51 weeks. This increase will take effect once section 281 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force.