Representation of the People Act 1989

Title and introductory text

Representation of the People Act 1989 1989 c. 28 An Act to amend the law relating to the entitlement of British citizens resident outside the United Kingdom to vote at parliamentary elections and elections to the European Parliament and to increase the maximum amount of candidates’ election expenses at parliamentary by-elections. [27th July 1989] Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

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5 Annual reminders to overseas electors.

In Schedule 2 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (provisions that may be contained in regulations about registration), after paragraph 2 there is inserted— 2A Provisions requiring registration officers to remind persons registered in pursuance of overseas electors’ declarations in a register of parliamentary electors of the need to make fresh declarations in order to be so registered in the subsequent register.

6 Increase of limits on expenses of candidates at parliamentary by-elections.

(1) In section 76(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (limitation of election expenses)— (a) in paragraph (a), for “parliamentary election” there is substituted “ parliamentary general election, being an election ”, and (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 Expenses.

(1) There shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund any increase attributable to this Act in the sums to be charged on and paid out of that Fund under any other Act. (2) There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament— (a) any increase attributable to this Act in the sums to be paid out of money so provided under any other Act, and (b) any administrative expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in consequence of this Act.

8 Short title, commencement and extent.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Representation of the People Act 1989 and shall be included among the Acts that may be cited as the Representation of the People Acts. (2) This Act shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint, and different days may be appointed for different provisions and for different purposes. (3) This Act extends to Northern Ireland.