Commentary on Sections Ballot papers Section 32  Photographs on ballot papers: piloting
191.This section provides the Secretary of State with the power to make an order applying to specified local elections in England and Wales to enable the inclusion of photographs of candidates on ballot papers to be piloted at those elections. The Secretary of State will only be able to exercise this power following an application from a local authority to run a pilot scheme and having consulted with the Electoral Commission.
192.Subsection (1) provides that a pilot order can only be made where a local authority makes a piloting proposal to the Secretary of State.
193.Subsection (2) provides that the Secretary of State may make a pilot order to enable photographs of candidates to be included on ballot papers at specified local elections.
194.Subsection (3) provides that if he considers it necessary for the purposes of setting up a pilot scheme, the Secretary of State may include provision in a pilot order amending legislation applying to those elections.
195.Subsection (4) provides that a pilot order must not be made without the Secretary of State first consulting the Electoral Commission.
196.Subsection (5) provides that a pilot order may only differ from the original pilot proposal if the relevant local authority and the Secretary of State agree to the modifications.
197.Subsection (6) provides that if the Secretary of State makes a pilot order, then he must send a copy to the relevant local authority and the Electoral Commission, and that the local authority must publish the order.
198.Subsection (7) provides a specific power for the Secretary of State to amend or cancel a pilot order.
199.Subsection (8) provides discretion for the Secretary of State to reimburse a returning officer for expenditure incurred as a result of the pilot.
200.Subsections (9) and (10) provide the definitions of “local authority”, “local government election” and “local government area” for the purposes of the this section.