Commentary on Sections Schedule 1 — Amendments Attendance at election proceedings
447.Paragraph 82 amends section 66(1) (requirement of secrecy) of the 1983 Act by inserting a new paragraph (c). The effect of new paragraph (c) is to extend the requirement of secrecy to representatives of the Electoral Commission, accredited observers and nominated members of accredited organisations who attend the polling station to observe.
448.Paragraph 83 amends rule 11(1) (right to attend nomination) of the parliamentary election rules in Schedule 1 by inserting new paragraph (c), the effect of which is to enable representatives of the Electoral Commission to attend the nomination proceedings. However, new paragraph (3A), also inserted by paragraph 83, prevents Commission representatives from inspecting, or objecting to the validity of, any nomination paper.Paragraph 83 also amends rule 11(4) to allow one other person chosen by the candidate to be present at the delivery of the candidate’s nomination, and to be present at the nomination proceedings though such a person may not inspect, or object to the validity of, any nomination paper.
449.Paragraph 84 amends rule 32 (Admission to polling station) in Schedule 1 by substituting a new subparagraph (1). The effect of this amendment is to include representatives of the Electoral Commission, accredited observers and nominated members of accredited organisations as well as minors accompanying voters among those who may be admitted to the polling station. Paragraph 84 also inserts new subparagraph (1A), which requires the Presiding Officer to regulate the total number of voters and persons under the age of 18 who accompany them to be admitted to the polling station at the same time.
450.Paragraph 85 amends rule 44 (Attendance at counting of votes) of Schedule 1, by amending subparagraph (2)(b) so that a candidate may choose one other person to be present with them at the count, and substitutes a new subparagraph (2)(e), the effect of which is to include representatives of the Electoral Commission, accredited observers and nominated members of accredited organisations among those who may attend the count.