Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 6 Promotion of awareness of election system and devolved government Paragraphs 5 and 6
653.Paragraph 5(1) gives the Assembly Commission its own specific power to promote public awareness of Assembly elections and the system of devolved government in Wales. This includes (by sub-paragraph (2)) a power to promote awareness of any newly enacted systems not yet in force. Paragraph 5(3) gives the Assembly Commission a general discretion as to how it carries out this power, but specifically permits it to carry out public education or information programmes, or to make grants facilitating the production of such programmes by other persons or bodies. The Assembly Commission can impose conditions on such grants as it thinks fit (sub-paragraph (4)).
654.Paragraph 6 allows the Assembly Commission to provide financial assistance to the Electoral Commission so as to promote public awareness of Assembly elections and the system of devolved government in Wales.
655.The powers in paragraphs 5 and 6 would permit, among other things, the promotion of public awareness about Assembly elections and devolved government in Wales through cross-border media (e.g. radio and television transmissions, “mobile” advertisements on trains etc.).