Background to the Act
4.This Act provides a legislative framework for referendums within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament held throughout Scotland.
5.This Act covers the technical aspects of holding a referendum. It prescribes the rules for voting and sets out how the poll should be conducted. This Act also provides for campaign rules to regulate campaigning at the referendum. The rules are largely based on existing UK and Scottish legislation covering elections and referendums, such as Part 7 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which makes equivalent provision for referendums held under Acts of the UK Parliament. The rules include the administration and limits of spending by and donations given to participants in the referendum campaign.