51.This section is concerned with the arrangements for absent voting.
52.Subsection (1) introduces Schedule 4 which applies to England, Scotland and Wales as regards both parliamentary and local government elections.
53.Subsection (2) repeals sections 5 to 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 in relation to England, Scotland and Wales as those provisions are replaced for those countries by the provisions of Schedule 4. Those provisions will, however, continue to govern absent voting in Northern Ireland in connection with parliamentary elections.
54.Subsection (3) ensures that any list or record held by a registration officer under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1985 that this section repeals - for example, the list of those entitled to cast absent votes - will remain in force.
Commentary on Sections Section 12: Changes Relating to Absent Voting in Great Britain