The Representation of the People (Timing of the Canvass) (Northern Ireland) Order 2010
By virtue of section 10ZA of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (“the 1983 Act”), the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland is required to conduct a canvass in Northern Ireland in the year 2010. However, if, on or before 15 April 2010, the Chief Electoral Officer makes a recommendation to the Secretary of State against a canvass being conducted in 2010 for the purpose of meeting the relevant registration objectives (which are set out in section 10ZB of the 1983 Act), the Secretary of State can, by Order, make provision that that requirement shall not apply. Before doing so the Secretary of State must be satisfied, having considered the recommendation, that the public interest does not require a canvass to be conducted for that purpose.