Commentary on Sections Part 1: Voting system for parliamentary elections Section 1: Referendum on the alternative vote system
26.Section 1 provides that a referendum on whether to change the voting system for parliamentary elections is to be held on 5 May 2011 unless before that date the Minister makes an Order to appoint an alternative date that is before 31 October 2011. Such an Order will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure and may only be made if the Minister is satisfied that it is impossible or impracticable for the referendum to be held on 5 May, or that it cannot be conducted properly if held on that day. Any Order may include supplemental or consequential provision and may, for the purposes of making such provision, amend or modify the Act or other primary or secondary legislation. Subsections (7) and (8) set out the question that will appear on the ballot papers in English and Welsh. Subsection (9) gives effect to Schedule 1 to the Act (described in detail below) which makes further provision for the purposes of this referendum.