Law

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

United Kingdom · statute

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In force since 2026-04-06, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

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Contents: 284 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 Establishment of the Electoral Commission.
  3. 2 Speaker’s Committee.
  4. 3 Appointment of Electoral Commissioners and Commission chairman.
  5. 3A Four Electoral Commissioners to be persons put forward by parties
  6. 4 Parliamentary Parties Panel.
  7. 4A Strategy and policy statement
  8. 4B Duties in relation to statement
  9. 4C Consultation and procedural requirements
  10. 4D 5-yearly review and designation of statement
  11. 4E Power to revise statement
  12. 5 Reports on elections, referendums etc.
  13. 5A Further provision about reports on Welsh elections
  14. 6 Reviews of electoral and political matters.
  15. 6ZA Reviews of electoral and political matters: devolved Scottish elections
  16. 6ZA Reviews of devolved electoral matters in Wales
  17. 6A Attendance of representatives of Commission at elections etc.
  18. 6B Observation of working practices by representatives of Commission
  19. 6C Accredited observers: individuals
  20. 6D Accredited observers: organisations
  21. 6E Attendance and conduct of observers
  22. 6F Code of practice on attendance of observers at elections etc.
  23. 6G Code of practice on attendance of observers at Scottish Parliamentary elections and local government elections in Scotland
  24. 6G Code of practice on attendance of observers at devolved elections in Wales
  25. 6H Code of practice on expenditure of candidates at Scottish parliamentary elections
  26. 7 Commission to be consulted on changes to electoral law.
  27. 8 Powers with respect to elections exercisable only on Commission recommendation.
  28. 9 Involvement of Commission in changes in electoral procedures.
  29. 9A Setting of performance standards
  30. 9AA Performance standards for devolved elections and referendums in Wales
  31. 9AA Setting performance standards: devolved Scottish elections
  32. 9B Returns and reports on performance standards
  33. 9C Provision of information about expenditure on elections etc.
  34. 10 Giving of advice and assistance.
  35. 11 Broadcasters to have regard to Commission’s views on party political broadcasts.
  36. 12 Policy development grants.
  37. 13 Education about electoral and democratic systems.
  38. 13A Reimbursement of costs by Scottish Ministers etc.
  39. 13ZA Examination of duty to have regard to strategy and policy statement
  40. 14 Boundary committees.
  41. 15 Deputy Electoral Commissioners.
  42. 16 Transfer of functions of Boundary Commissions.
  43. 18 Transfer of functions of Local Government Commission for England.
  44. 19 Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland.
  45. 20 Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales.
  46. 20A Commission as CORE keeper
  47. 21 Interpretation of Part I.
  48. 22 Parties to be registered in order to field candidates at elections.
  49. 23 The new registers.
  50. 24 Office-holders to be registered.
  51. 25 Parties with campaigns officers.
  52. 26 Financial structure of registered party: adoption of scheme.
  53. 27 Financial structure of registered party: accounting units.
  54. 28 Registration of parties.
  55. 28A Descriptions
  56. 28B Joint descriptions
  57. 29 Emblems.
  58. 30 Changes to the register.
  59. 31 Notification of changes in party’s officers etc.
  60. 32 Confirmation of registered particulars etc.
  61. 33 Party ceasing to be registered.
  62. 34 Registration of minor parties.
  63. 35 Request by Secretary of State.
  64. 36 Assistance by Commission for existing registered parties.
  65. 37 Party political broadcasts.
  66. 38 Amendment of parliamentary elections rules.
  67. 39 False statements: offence.
  68. 40 Interpretation of Part II.
  69. 41 Duty to keep accounting records.
  70. 42 Annual statements of accounts.
  71. 43 Annual audits.
  72. 44 Supplementary provisions about auditors.
  73. 45 Delivery of statements of accounts etc. to Commission.
  74. 46 Public inspection of parties’ statements of accounts.
  75. 47 Criminal penalty for failure to submit proper statement of accounts.
  76. 48 Revision of defective statements of accounts.
  77. 49 Division of responsibilities in case of party with accounting units.
  78. 50 Donations for purposes of Part IV.
  79. 51 Sponsorship.
  80. 52 Payments, services etc. not to be regarded as donations.
  81. 53 Value of donations.
  82. 54 Permissible donors.
  83. 55 Payments etc. which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors.
  84. 56 Acceptance or return of donations: general.
  85. 57 Return of donations where donor unidentifiable.
  86. 57A Additional limit on Gibraltar donations to UK parties
  87. 58 Forfeiture of donations made by impermissible or unidentifiable donors.
  88. 59 Appeal against order under section 58.
  89. 60 Supplementary provisions about orders under section 58.
  90. 61 Offences concerned with evasion of restrictions on donations.
  91. 62 Quarterly donation reports.
  92. 62A Exemption from requirement to prepare quarterly reports
  93. 63 Weekly donation reports during general election periods.
  94. 64 Exemptions from section 63.
  95. 65 Submission of donation reports to Commission.
  96. 66 Declaration by treasurer in donation report.
  97. 67 Weekly donation reports in connection with elections other than general elections.
  98. 68 Reporting of multiple small donations.
  99. 69 Register of recordable donations.
  100. 70 Special provision for Northern Ireland parties.
  101. 71 Control of donations to individuals and members associations.
  102. 71A Introduction
  103. 71B Extension of categories of permissible donors in relation to Northern Ireland recipients
  104. 71C Northern Ireland recipients not permissible donors in relation to Great Britain
  105. 71D Duty to verify donation reports
  106. 71E Duty not to disclose contents of donation reports
  107. 71F Regulated transactions
  108. 71G Valuation of regulated transaction
  109. 71GA Prohibition on increase in value of Gibraltar regulated transaction following European parliamentary election
  110. 71H Authorised participants
  111. 71HA Financial limit on Gibraltar donations and Gibraltar regulated transactions
  112. 71I Regulated transaction involving unauthorised participant
  113. 71J Guarantees and securities: unauthorised participants
  114. 71K Transfer to unauthorised participant invalid
  115. 71L Offences relating to regulated transactions
  116. 71M Quarterly reports of regulated transactions
  117. 71N Changes to be recorded in quarterly reports
  118. 71O Existing transactions
  119. 71P Exemption from requirement to prepare quarterly reports
  120. 71Q Weekly transaction reports during general election periods
  121. 71R Exemptions from section 71Q
  122. 71S Submission of transaction reports to Commission
  123. 71T Declaration by treasurer in transaction report
  124. 71U Weekly donation reports in connection with elections other than general elections
  125. 71V Register of recordable transactions
  126. 71W Proceedings under sections 71I and 71S
  127. 71X Construction of Part 4A
  128. 71Y Control of loans etc: individuals and members associations
  129. 71Z Introduction
  130. 71Z1 Extension of categories of authorised participants in relation to Northern Ireland participants
  131. 71Z2 Northern Ireland participants are not authorised participants in relation to Great Britain
  132. 71Z3 Duty to verify transaction reports
  133. 71Z4 Duty not to disclose contents of transaction reports
  134. 72 Campaign expenditure.
  135. 72A Campaign expenditure: power of Scottish Ministers
  136. 73 Notional campaign expenditure.
  137. 74 Officers of registered party with responsibility for campaign expenditure.
  138. 75 Restriction on incurring campaign expenditure.
  139. 76 Restriction on payments in respect of campaign expenditure.
  140. 77 Restriction on making claims in respect of campaign expenditure.
  141. 78 Disputed claims.
  142. 79 Limits on campaign expenditure.
  143. 80 Returns as to campaign expenditure.
  144. 81 Auditor’s report on return.
  145. 82 Delivery of returns to the Commission.
  146. 83 Declaration by treasurer as to return under section 80.
  147. 84 Public inspection of returns under section 80.
  148. 85 Controlled expenditure by third parties.
  149. 85A Controlled expenditure of third parties: power of Scottish Ministers
  150. 86 Notional controlled expenditure.
  151. 87 Expenditure by third parties which is not controlled expenditure.
  152. 88 Third parties recognised for the purposes of this Part.
  153. 89 Register of notifications for purposes of section 88.
  154. 89A Restriction on which third parties may incur controlled expenditure
  155. 89B Restriction on which third parties may incur controlled expenditure: Senedd Cymru elections
  156. 90 Restriction on incurring controlled expenditure.
  157. 91 Restriction on payments in respect of controlled expenditure.
  158. 92 Restriction on making claims in respect of controlled expenditure.
  159. 93 Disputed claims.
  160. 94 Limits on controlled expenditure by third parties.
  161. 94A Arrangements between third parties notified to the Commission
  162. 94B Effect where arrangements are notified under section 94A
  163. 94C Overview of sections 94D to 94H
  164. 94D Meaning of “targeted”, “targeted expenditure limit” etc
  165. 94E Unauthorised expenditure in excess of targeted expenditure limit
  166. 94F Authorised expenditure in excess of targeted expenditure limit
  167. 94G Authorisation
  168. 94H Expenditure that “exceeds” a targeted expenditure limit or cap
  169. 95 Control of donations to recognised third parties.
  170. 95ZA Control of donation to recognised third parties: power of Scottish Ministers
  171. 95A Quarterly donation reports
  172. 95B Weekly donation reports during general election periods
  173. 95C Related offences
  174. 95D Forfeiture
  175. 95E Sections 95A to 95D: supplementary
  176. 95F Public inspection of reports
  177. 96 Returns as to controlled expenditure.
  178. 96A Statement of accounts
  179. 97 Auditor’s report on return or statement of accounts .
  180. 98 Delivery of returns to the Commission.
  181. 99 Declaration by responsible person as to return under section 96.
  182. 99A Declaration by responsible person as to statement of accounts under section 96A
  183. 100 Public inspection of returns under section 96.
  184. 100A Code of practice on controlled expenditure
  185. 100AA Code of practice on controlled expenditure: Scottish Parliament elections
  186. 100B Code of practice: consultation and procedural requirements
  187. 100BA Code of Practice on controlled expenditure for Scottish Parliament elections: consultation and procedural requirements
  188. 100C Code of Practice: consultation and procedural requirements on controlled expenditure in Senedd Cymru elections
  189. 101 Referendums to which this Part applies.
  190. 102 Referendum period.
  191. 103 Date of poll.
  192. 104 Referendum questions.
  193. 105 Permitted participants.
  194. 106 Declarations and notifications for purposes of section 105.
  195. 107 Register of declarations and notifications for purposes of section 105.
  196. 108 Designation of organisations to whom assistance is available.
  197. 109 Applications for designation under section 108.
  198. 110 Assistance available to designated organisations.
  199. 111 Referendum expenses.
  200. 112 Notional referendum expenses.
  201. 113 Restriction on incurring referendum expenses.
  202. 114 Restriction on payments in respect of referendum expenses.
  203. 115 Restriction on making claims in respect of referendum expenses.
  204. 116 Disputed claims.
  205. 117 General restriction on referendum expenses.
  206. 118 Special restrictions on referendum expenses by permitted participants.
  207. 119 Control of donations to permitted participants.
  208. 120 Returns as to referendum expenses.
  209. 121 Auditor’s report on return.
  210. 122 Delivery of returns to Commission.
  211. 123 Declaration of responsible person as to return under section 120.
  212. 124 Public inspection of returns under section 120.
  213. 125 Restriction on publication etc. of promotional material by central and local government etc.
  214. 126 Details to appear on referendum material.
  215. 127 Referendum campaign broadcasts.
  216. 128 Chief Counting Officers, and counting officers, for referendums.
  217. 129 Orders regulating conduct of referendums.
  218. 130 Control of donations to candidates.
  219. 131 Election expenses incurred otherwise than by candidate.
  220. 132 Financial limits applying to candidates’ election expenses.
  221. 133 Power to vary provisions about election expenses.
  222. 134 Meaning of “election expenses”.
  223. 135 Meaning of “candidate”.
  224. 136 Corrupt and illegal practices: consequences for persons convicted of such practices.
  225. 137 Corrupt and illegal practices: election petitions etc.
  226. 138 Election campaigns and proceedings: miscellaneous amendments.
  227. 139 Control of political donations by companies.
  228. 140 Disclosure of political donations and expenditure in directors’ report.
  229. 140A Reports of gifts received by unincorporated associations
  230. 141 Reduction of qualifying period for overseas electors.
  231. 142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  232. 143 Details to appear on election material.
  233. 143A Meaning of “election material”
  234. 144 Broadcasting of local items during election period.
  235. 145 Duties of Commission with respect to ... compliance with controls imposed by the Act etc.
  236. 146 Investigatory powers of Commission
  237. 147 Civil sanctions
  238. 148 General offences.
  239. 149 Inspection of Commission’s registers etc.
  240. 149A Inspection of Commission’s registers etc.: Northern Ireland
  241. 150 Punishment of offences.
  242. 151 Summary proceedings.
  243. 152 Offences committed by bodies corporate.
  244. 153 Offences committed by unincorporated associations.
  245. 154 Duty of court to report convictions to Commission.
  246. 155 Power to vary specified sums or percentages .
  247. 156 Orders and regulations.
  248. 157 Documents for purposes of the Act.
  249. 158 Minor and consequential amendments and repeals.
  250. 159 Financial provisions.
  251. 159A Functions of the Minister for the Cabinet Office
  252. 160 General interpretation.
  253. 161 Interpretation: donations.
  254. 162 Interpretation: exempt trust donations.
  255. 163 Short title, commencement, transitional provisions and extent.
  256. SCHEDULE 1 The Electoral Commission
  257. SCHEDULE 2 The Speaker’s Committee
  258. SCHEDULE 4 Applications under Part II
  259. SCHEDULE 5 Accounting units: application of accounting requirements
  260. SCHEDULE 6 Details to be given in donation reports
  261. SCHEDULE 6A Details to be given in transaction reports
  262. SCHEDULE 7 Control of donations to individuals and members associations
  263. SCHEDULE 7A Control of loans etc to individuals and members associations
  264. SCHEDULE 8 Campaign expenditure: qualifying expenses
  265. SCHEDULE 8A Controlled expenditure: qualifying expenses
  266. SCHEDULE 9 Limits on campaign expenditure
  267. SCHEDULE 10 Limits on controlled expenditure
  268. SCHEDULE 11 Control of donations to recognised third parties
  269. SCHEDULE 11A Requirements of quarterly and weekly donation reports
  270. SCHEDULE 12 Assistance available to designated organisations
  271. SCHEDULE 13 Referendum expenses: qualifying expenses
  272. SCHEDULE 14
  273. SCHEDULE 15 Control of donations to permitted participants
  274. SCHEDULE 16 Control of donations to candidates: New Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983
  275. SCHEDULE 17 Amendments relating to election petitions
  276. SCHEDULE 18 Election campaigns and proceedings: miscellaneous amendments
  277. SCHEDULE 19
  278. SCHEDULE 19A Reports of gifts received by unincorporated associations making political contributions
  279. SCHEDULE 19B Investigatory powers of Commission
  280. SCHEDULE 19C Civil sanctions
  281. SCHEDULE 20 Penalties
  282. SCHEDULE 21 Minor and consequential amendments
  283. SCHEDULE 22 Repeals
  284. SCHEDULE 23 Transitional provisions

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

284 provisions

15 Deputy Electoral Commissioners.

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16 Transfer of functions of Boundary Commissions.

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18 Transfer of functions of Local Government Commission for England.

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19 Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland.

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20 Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales.

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20A Commission as CORE keeper

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21 Interpretation of Part I.

(1) In this Part “financial year”, in relation to the Commission, means a period of 12 months ending with 31st March; but the first financial year of the Commission is the period beginning with the date of the establishment of the Commission and ending with the next 31st March. (2) In this Part, “petition officer” and “recall petition” have the same meaning as in the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see section 22 of that Act).

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22 Parties to be registered in order to field candidates at elections.

(1) Subject to subsection (4), no nomination may be made in relation to a relevant election unless the nomination is in respect of— (a) a person who stands for election in the name of a qualifying registered party; or (b) a person who does not purport to represent any party; or (c) a qualifying registered party, where the election is one for which registered parties may be nominated. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) a party (other than a minor party) is a “qualifying registered party” in relation to a relevant election if— (a) the constituency, police area, local government area or electoral region in which the election is held— (i) is in England, Scotland or Wales, ... (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and the party was, on the day (“the relevant day”) which is two days before the last day for the delivery of nomination papers at that election, registered in respect of that part of Great Britain in the Great Britain register maintained by the Commission under section 23, or (b) the constituency, district electoral area or electoral region in which the election is held— (i) is in Northern Ireland, ... (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and the party was, on the relevant day, registered in the Northern Ireland register maintained by the Commission under that section. (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2) any day falling within rule 2(1) of the parliamentary elections rules in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (subject to rule 2(2A)) shall be disregarded. (3) For the purposes of subsection (1) a person does not purport to represent any party if either— (a) the description of the candidate given in his nomination paper, is— (i) “Independent”, or (ii) where the candidate is the Speaker of the House of Commons seeking re-election, “The Speaker seeking re-election”; or (b) no description of the candidate is given in his nomination paper. (4) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any parish or community election. (5) The following elections are relevant elections for the purposes of this Part— (a) parliamentary elections, (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (c) elections to the Scottish Parliament, (d) elections to Senedd Cymru, (e) elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, (ea) elections of police and crime commissioners, (f) local government elections, and (g) local elections in Northern Ireland. (6) For the purposes of this Act a person stands for election in the name of a registered party if his nomination paper includes a description authorised by a certificate issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of the party.

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23 The new registers.

(1) In place of the register of political parties maintained by the registrar of companies under the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998, there shall be the new registers of political parties mentioned in subsection (2) which— (a) shall be maintained by the Commission, and (b) (subject to the provisions of this section) shall be so maintained in such form as the Commission may determine. (2) The new registers of political parties are— (a) a register of parties that intend to contest relevant elections in one or more of England, Scotland and Wales (referred to in this Act as “the Great Britain register”); and (b) a register of parties that intend to contest relevant elections in Northern Ireland (referred to in this Act as “the Northern Ireland register”). (3) Each party registered in the Great Britain register shall be so registered in respect of one or more of England, Scotland and Wales; and the entry for each party so registered shall be marked so as to indicate— (a) the part or parts of Great Britain in respect of which it is registered; and (b) if the party is a minor party, that it is such a party. (4) A party may be registered under this Part in both of the new registers, but where a party is so registered— (a) the party as registered in the Great Britain register, and (b) the party as registered in the Northern Ireland register, shall constitute two separate registered parties. (5) In such a case— (a) the party shall for the purposes of this Act be so organised and administered as to secure that the financial affairs of the party in Great Britain are conducted separately from those of the party in Northern Ireland; (b) the financial affairs of the party in Great Britain or (as the case may be) Northern Ireland, shall accordingly constitute for those purposes the financial affairs of the party as registered in the Great Britain register or (as the case may be) the Northern Ireland register; and (c) any application for the registration of a party in accordance with subsection (4) shall similarly be made and determined by reference to the party’s organisation and activities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland respectively. (6) The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the transfer to the Commission of any property, rights and liabilities to which the registrar of companies is entitled or subject in connection with his functions under the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998; and an order under this subsection may in particular provide for the order to have effect despite any provision (of whatever nature) which would prevent or restrict the transfer of the property, rights or liabilities otherwise than by the order.

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24 Office-holders to be registered.

(1) For each registered party there shall be— (a) a person registered as the party’s leader; (b) a person registered as the party’s nominating officer; and (c) a person registered as the party’s treasurer; but the person registered as leader may also be registered as nominating officer or treasurer (or both). (2) The person registered as a party’s leader must be— (a) the overall leader of the party; or (b) where there is no overall leader of the party, a person who is the leader of the party for some particular purpose. (3) The person registered as a party’s nominating officer must have responsibility for the arrangements for— (a) the submission by representatives of the party of lists of candidates for the purpose of elections; (b) the issuing of such certificates as are mentioned in section 22(6); and (c) the approval of descriptions and emblems used on nomination and ballot papers at elections. (4) The person registered as a party’s treasurer shall be responsible for compliance on the part of the party— (a) with the provisions of Parts 3, 4 and 4A (accounting requirements and control of donations, loans and certain other transactions) (b) unless a person is registered as the party’s campaigns officer in accordance with section 25, with the provisions of Parts V to VII (campaign expenditure, third party expenditure and referendums) and Schedules 3 to 5 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (financial controls on recall petitions) as well. (5) In the case of a party with accounting units the person registered as the party’s treasurer shall, in relation to the provisions of Part III, be responsible for compliance on the part of the party’s central organisation (rather than of the party). (6) Where— (a) the person registered as a party’s treasurer dies, or (b) his appointment as treasurer terminates for any other reason, then, until such time as another person is registered as the party’s treasurer in pursuance of an application under section 31(3)(a), the appropriate person shall be treated for all purposes of this Act (except subsection (8)) as if he were registered also as its treasurer. (7) In subsection (6) “the appropriate person” means— (a) the person registered as the party’s leader; or (b) if that person is also registered as its treasurer but not as its nominating officer, the person registered as its nominating officer; or (c) if that person is also registered both as its treasurer and as its nominating officer, any other officer of the party registered in accordance with Schedule 4. (8) A person commits an offence if— (a) he is registered as treasurer of a registered party, and (b) he has been convicted, at any time within the period of five years ending with the date of registration, of any offence under this Act or of any other offence committed in connection with a relevant election ... , a referendum within the meaning of Part VII or a recall petition within the meaning of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see section 1(2) of that Act) . (9) Where a person registered as treasurer of a registered party is convicted of an offence falling within subsection (8)(b), his appointment as treasurer of the party shall terminate on the date of the conviction. (10) In connection with the registration of a party in both the Great Britain register and the Northern Ireland register in accordance with section 23(4)— (a) a person may be registered in the Northern Ireland register as leader of the separate party registered in that register if (although not such a leader of the party as is mentioned in subsection (2) above) he is leader of the party in Northern Ireland; and (b) references to a person’s responsibilities in subsection (3) or (4) above shall be read as references to the responsibilities that he will have with respect to the separate party registered in the Great Britain register or the Northern Ireland register, as appropriate.

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25 Parties with campaigns officers.

(1) In the case of any registered party a person— (a) may be registered as the party’s campaigns officer, and (b) may be so registered whether or not he is also registered as the party’s leader or nominating officer (or both). (2) The person registered as a party’s campaign officer shall be responsible for compliance on the part of the party with the provisions of Parts V to VII and Schedules 3 to 5 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (financial controls on recall petitions) . (3) So long as a party is registered as a party with a campaigns officer, section 24(6), (8) and (9) shall apply in relation to a person registered as the party’s campaigns officer as they apply in relation to a person registered as treasurer of the party, except that in section 24(6) the reference to the appropriate person shall be read as a reference to the person registered as treasurer of the party. (4) The person registered as a party’s campaigns officer may appoint, on such terms as he may determine, one or more deputy campaigns officers of the party for the purposes of Part V, but not more than 12 persons may hold such appointments at the same time. (5) For the purposes of this section— (a) the provisions of section 74(2) to (10) shall apply in relation to a party’s campaigns officer and the appointment of a person as deputy campaigns officer as they apply in relation to a party’s treasurer and the appointment of a person as deputy treasurer, and (b) any reference in those provisions to a treasurer or (as the case may be) deputy treasurer shall accordingly be read as a reference to a campaigns officer or (as the case may be) deputy campaigns officer. (6) In relation to any time when a party is (or was) registered as a party with a campaigns officer— (a) the provisions of Part V (other than section 74) and Parts VI and VII shall apply as if any reference to the treasurer of the party were a reference to the registered campaigns officer, and any reference to a deputy treasurer of the party were a reference to a deputy campaigns officer of the party; and (b) the provisions of Part X (enforcement) shall apply in connection with matters relevant for the purposes of Parts V to VII as if any reference to a person who is or has been the treasurer of the party were a reference to a person who is or has been the registered campaigns officer. (7) In relation to any time when a party is (or was) registered as a party with a campaigns officer, the provisions of Schedules 3 to 5 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 shall apply as if any reference to the treasurer of the party were a reference to the registered campaigns officer.

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26 Financial structure of registered party: adoption of scheme.

(1) A party may not be registered unless it has adopted a scheme which— (a) sets out the arrangements for regulating the financial affairs of the party for the purposes of this Act; and (b) has been approved in writing by the Commission. (2) The scheme must in particular determine for the purposes of this Act whether the party is to be taken to consist of— (a) a single organisation with no division of responsibility for the financial affairs and transactions of the party for the purposes of Part III (accounting requirements), or (b) a central organisation and one or more separate accounting units, that is to say constituent or affiliated organisations each of which is to be responsible for its own financial affairs and transactions for the purposes of that Part. (3) In the latter case the scheme must— (a) identify, by reference to organisations mentioned in the party’s constitution, those which are to constitute the central organisation and the accounting units respectively; and (b) give the name of each of those organisations. (4) The scheme must in every case include such other information as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commission. (5) Where a draft scheme is submitted by a party for the Commission’s approval, the Commission may either— (a) approve the scheme, or (b) give the party a notice requesting it to submit a revised scheme to them, as they think fit. (6) If under subsection (5) the Commission request a party to submit a revised scheme, they may specify either or both of the following, namely— (a) any matters which they consider should be dealt with in the revised scheme; and (b) any modifications which they consider should be incorporated in it. (7) A registered party may at any time notify the Commission that it wishes to replace the scheme for the time being approved in relation to it under this section with a further scheme complying with subsections (1) to (4); and where it so notifies the Commission— (a) it shall submit for the Commission’s approval a draft of the replacement scheme; (b) subsections (5) and (6) shall apply in connection with the approval by the Commission of that scheme; and (c) once that scheme has been approved in writing by the Commission it shall have effect as the party’s scheme under this section. (8) For the purposes of this section none of the following shall be taken to be a constituent or affiliated organisation in relation to a party— (a) a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 or the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992; (b) a friendly society registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1974 , a registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 or a society registered (or deemed to be registered) under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969; (c) any other organisation specified, or of a description specified, in an order made by the Secretary of State on the recommendation of the Commission. (9) In this section “constitution”, in relation to a party, means the document or documents (of whatever name) by which the structure and organisation of the party is determined. (10) In connection with the registration of a party in both the Great Britain register and the Northern Ireland register, subsection (1)(a) and the other provisions of this section apply (in accordance with section 23(5)) separately in relation to the party in Great Britain and the party in Northern Ireland, and in that connection— (a) any reference in this section to a constituent or affiliated organisation in relation to the party shall be read as a reference to a constituent or affiliated organisation in relation to the party in Great Britain or the party in Northern Ireland, as appropriate; and (b) any reference in this Part to the party’s constitution shall be read as a reference to the party’s constitution so far as relating to the party in Great Britain or the party in Northern Ireland, as appropriate; and the party’s scheme must show that the financial affairs of the party in Great Britain will be conducted separately from those of the party in Northern Ireland. (11) For the purposes of this Act— (a) “accounting unit” means a constituent or affiliated organisation falling within paragraph (b) of subsection (2); (b) a registered party is a “party with accounting units” if the party’s scheme under this section identifies the party as being one falling within that paragraph; and (c) in the case of such a party, the “central organisation” of the party is the central organisation referred to in that paragraph.

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27 Financial structure of registered party: accounting units.

(1) This section applies where a registered party is a party with accounting units. (2) For each accounting unit there shall be— (a) a person registered as the treasurer of the unit who shall be responsible for compliance on the part of the unit with the provisions of Parts 3, 4 and 4A so far as relating to it; and (b) another person who is an officer of the unit registered for the purposes of subsection (3). (3) Section 24(6), (8) and (9) shall apply in relation to a person registered as treasurer of an accounting unit as they apply in relation to a person registered as treasurer of the party, except that in section 24(6) the reference to the appropriate person shall be read as a reference to the officer of the unit who is registered for the purposes of this subsection.

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28 Registration of parties.

(1) A party may apply to be registered under this Part by sending to the Commission an application which— (a) complies with the requirements of Part I of Schedule 4, ... (b) is accompanied by a declaration falling within subsection (2) , and (c) (subject to subsection (3E)) is accompanied by a declaration falling within subsection (3B). (2) The declarations falling within this subsection are— (a) a declaration that the party— (i) intends to contest one or more relevant elections in Great Britain and one or more such elections in Northern Ireland, and (ii) is accordingly applying to be registered (as two such separate parties as are mentioned in section 23(4)) in both the Great Britain register and the Northern Ireland register; (b) a declaration that the party— (i) intends to contest one or more relevant elections (which will not be confined to one or more parish or community elections) in Great Britain only, and (ii) is accordingly applying to be registered in the Great Britain register only; (c) a declaration that the party— (i) intends to contest one or more relevant elections in Northern Ireland only, and (ii) is accordingly applying to be registered in the Northern Ireland register only; (d) a declaration that the party— (i) intends only to contest one or more parish or community elections, and (ii) is accordingly applying to be registered in the Great Britain register only. (3) A declaration falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of subsection (2) must specify the part or parts of Great Britain in respect of which the party is applying to be registered in the Great Britain register. (3A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3B) The declarations falling within this subsection are— (a) a declaration that, to the best of the proposed registered treasurer’s knowledge and belief, the assets/liabilities condition is met in relation to the party; (b) a declaration that, to the best of the proposed registered treasurer’s knowledge and belief, the assets/liabilities condition is not met in relation to the party. (3C) The assets/liabilities condition is met in relation to a party if— (a) the total value of the party’s assets does not exceed £500, and (b) the total amount of the party’s liabilities does not exceed £500. (3D) A declaration within subsection (3B)(b) must be accompanied by a record of the party’s assets and liabilities; and that record must comply with such requirements as to its form and contents as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commission. (3E) Subsection (1)(c) does not apply to an application under this section made in pursuance of a declaration falling within subsection (2)(d) (and subsections (3D) and (8A) to (8C) are accordingly to be disregarded in relation to such an application). (4) Where a party sends an application to the Commission in accordance with subsection (1), the Commission shall grant the application unless in their opinion the party proposes a registered name which— (a) would either— (i) be the same as that of a party which is already registered in the register in which that party is applying to be registered, or (ii) be likely to result in electors confusing that party with a party which is already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom, (b) comprises more than six words, (c) is obscene or offensive, (d) includes words the publication of which would be likely to amount to the commission of an offence, (da) would be likely, were it to appear on a ballot paper issued at an election— (i) to result in an elector being misled as to the effect of his vote, or (ii) to contradict, or hinder an elector's understanding of, any directions for his guidance in voting given on the ballot paper or elsewhere, (e) includes any script other than Roman script, or (f) includes any word or expression prohibited by order made by the Secretary of State after consulting the Commission, or it appears to the Commission that the party has failed to adopt a scheme approved under section 26. (5) In subsection (4)(a) “already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom” means— (a) in connection with registration of the applicant party in the Great Britain register, already registered in respect of any part of Great Britain in respect of which that party is applying to be registered; (b) in connection with registration of the applicant party in the Northern Ireland register, already registered in that register. (6) An order under subsection (4)(f) may except the use of a word or expression from the prohibition in specified circumstances. (7) If— (a) at any time two or more applications for registration are pending each of which would (in the absence of the other or others) fall to be granted by the Commission, but (b) the registered names proposed by the applicant parties are such that, if one of those names was already registered in pursuance of the application in question, the Commission would be required to refuse the other application or applications by virtue of subsection (4)(a), the Commission shall determine by reference to the history of each of the applicant parties which of them has, in the Commission’s opinion, the greater or greatest claim to the name proposed by it, and shall then grant the application by that party and refuse the other application or applications. (7A) A party may not make an application under this section at any time when the party is also a recognised third party for the purposes of Part 6 (see section 85(5)). (8) Where the Commission grant an application by a party under this section, they shall include in the party’s entry in the register— (a) the particulars, apart from home addresses, given in the application in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 4, 5(2) and 6 of Schedule 4; and . . . (b) the date of registration. (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8A) Subsections (8B) and (8C) apply where— (a) the Commission grant an application by a party under this section, and (b) the application was accompanied by a declaration within subsection (3B)(b). (8B) The Commission must ensure that the party’s entry in the register is marked so as to indicate that its application was accompanied by a declaration within subsection (3B)(b). (8C) The Commission must— (a) as soon as reasonably practicable after granting the application, make a copy of the record of assets and liabilities provided by the party under subsection (3D) available for public inspection, and (b) keep the copy available for public inspection for such period as the Commission think fit. (9) Where the Commission refuse an application by a party under this section, they shall notify the party of their reasons for refusing the application. (10) In this Part “the register” means— (a) in relation to a party registered in the Great Britain register, the Great Britain register, and (b) in relation to a party registered in the Northern Ireland register, the Northern Ireland register.

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28A Descriptions

(1) A party's application under section 28 may include a request for the registration of up to 12 descriptions to be used on nomination papers or ballot papers. (2) Where a request is made by a party under this section in relation to a description, the Commission shall register the description as a description of the party unless it is of more than six words in length or in their opinion it— (a) would be the same as the name of a party or the registered description of a party which (in either case) is already registered in the register in which that party is applying to be registered, (b) would be likely to result in electors confusing that party with another party which is already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom, (c) is obscene or offensive, (d) is of such a character that its publication would be likely to amount to the commission of an offence, (e) would be likely, were it to appear on a ballot paper issued at an election— (i) to result in an elector being misled as to the effect of his vote, or (ii) to contradict, or hinder an elector's understanding of, any directions for his guidance in voting given on the ballot paper or elsewhere, (f) includes any script other than Roman script, or (g) includes a word or expression prohibited by order made by the Secretary of State. (3) In subsection (2)(b) “already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom” has the meaning given by section 28(5). (4) An order under subsection (2)(g) may except the use of a word or expression from the prohibition in specified circumstances. (5) In the application of subsection (2) above to a party which has made a declaration falling within section 28(2) which specifies Wales as a part of Great Britain in respect of which it is applying to be registered, for “it is of more than six words in length” substitute its length exceeds six words in either English or Welsh or, if the description is also expressed in the other of those languages, six words in that other language. (6) The Secretary of State may, by order, substitute for the number “12” in subsection (1) such other number as he thinks appropriate. (7) An order under subsection (2)(g) or (6) must not be made unless the Secretary of State first consults the Commission.

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28B Joint descriptions

(1) Two or more parties which are registered under section 28 above in the same register may apply to the Commission to register a description for use by a candidate standing in the name of both or all of the parties jointly. (2) The following provisions of section 28A apply to an application under this section as they apply to an application under that section— (a) subsections (2) to (5); (b) subsection (7), so far as it relates to subsection (2)(g). (3) Subsections (1)(bb), (4A) to (4D) and (6A) of section 30 apply to a description mentioned in subsection (1) above as they apply to a description to which section 28A applies; and for the purposes of such application— (a) any reference to a party in section 30 (except in relation to an application to remove a description under subsection (1)(bb) of that section) must be construed as a reference to the parties mentioned in subsection (1) above acting jointly, (b) section 30(4A)(a) must be taken to read “the parties already have a description registered in pursuance of section 28B above”, and (c) the requirement in paragraph 9 of Schedule 4 for an application under section 30 to be signed by the responsible officer of a party must be taken to be a requirement for the application to be signed by a responsible officer of each party which joins in the application.

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29 Emblems.

(1) A party’s application under section 28 may include a request for the registration of up to three emblems to be used by the party on ballot papers. (2) Where a request is made by a party under this section in relation to an emblem, the Commission shall register the emblem as an emblem of the party unless in their opinion it— (a) would either— (i) be the same as a registered emblem of a party which is already registered in the register in which that party is applying to be registered, or (ii) be likely to be confused by voters with a registered emblem of a party which is already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom, (b) is obscene or offensive, (c) is of such a character that its publication would be likely to amount to the commission of an offence, or (ca) would be likely, were it to appear on a ballot paper issued at an election— (i) to result in an elector being misled as to the effect of his vote, or (ii) to contradict, or hinder an elector's understanding of, any directions for his guidance in voting given on the ballot paper or elsewhere, (d) includes a word or expression prohibited by virtue of section 28(4)(f). (3) In subsection (2)(a) “already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom” has the meaning given by section 28(5). (4) A registered emblem shall be a black and white representation of the emblem shown in the application. (5) Where the Commission refuse a request made by a party under this section in relation to an emblem, they shall notify the party of their reasons for refusing the request.

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30 Changes to the register.

(1) A party may apply to the Commission to have its entry in the register altered by— (a) changing its registered name, (b) (if registered in the Great Britain register) changing the part or parts of Great Britain in respect of which it is registered, (ba) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (bb) the addition, alteration, substitution or removal of a description, (c) the addition, substitution or removal of an emblem, (d) the addition or removal of a statement that a party is registered as a party with a campaigns officer, or (e) the addition of information prescribed under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 since— (i) the time when the party applied for registration, or (ii) if a notification has been previously given under section 32 in relation to the party, the time when the last such notification was given. (2) Subject to subsections (3) to (6A), the Commission shall grant an application under this section. (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) The Commission shall refuse an application to change a party’s registered name if, in their opinion, any of paragraphs (a) to (f) of section 28(4) apply to the new name. (4) The Commission shall refuse an application to change the part or parts of Great Britain in respect of which a party is registered if, in their opinion, the change would be likely to result in— (a) such confusion in relation to the party’s registered name as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of section 28(4), or (aa) such confusion in relation to a registered description of the party as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of section 28A(2), or (b) such confusion in relation to a registered emblem of the party as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of section 29(2). (4A) The Commission shall refuse an application to add a description if— (a) the party already has 12 descriptions (or such other maximum number of descriptions as is substituted by order under section 28A(6)), (b) the length of the description exceeds six words, or (c) in the Commission's opinion, any of paragraphs (a) to (g) of section 28A(2) apply to the description. (4B) The Commission shall refuse an application to alter a description if the effect of the alteration— (a) is that the length of the description as altered will exceed six words, or (b) in their opinion, is that any of paragraphs (a) to (g) of section 28A(2) will apply to the description as altered. (4C) The Commission shall refuse to substitute a description if— (a) the length of the new description will exceed six words, or (b) in their opinion any of paragraphs (a) to (g) of section 28A(2) apply to the new description. (4D) In the application of subsection (4A)(b), (4B)(a) or (4C)(a) above to a party which has made a declaration falling within section 28(2) which specifies Wales as a part of Great Britain in respect of which it is registered, for “six words” substitute six words in either English or Welsh or, if the description is also expressed in the other of those languages, six words in that other language. (5) The Commission shall refuse an application to add an emblem if— (a) the party already has three registered emblems, or (b) in the Commission’s opinion, any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 29(2) apply to the emblem. (6) The Commission shall refuse to substitute an emblem if in their opinion any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 29(2) apply to the new emblem. (6A) If an application under this section for the substitution or removal of a description is granted at any time between— (a) the date of publication of the notice of election at an election in which there are one or more candidates standing in the name of the party, and (b) the poll at the election, the change does not take effect until the day following the poll. (7) For the purposes of subsection (3), (4A), (4B), (4C),(5) or (6)— (a) section 28(4)(a) and section 28(5), or (aa) section 28A(2)(a) and section 28(5) as it applies by virtue of section 28A(3), or (ab) section 28A(2)(a) as it applies by virtue of section 28B(2), or (b) section 29(2)(a) and section 28(5) (as it applies by virtue of section 29(3)), as the case may be, shall each have effect as if the words “applying to be” were omitted. (8) Where the Commission refuse an application by a party under this section, they shall notify the party of their reasons for refusing the application. (9) Part II of Schedule 4 applies to applications under this section.

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31 Notification of changes in party’s officers etc.

(1) If at any time any particulars in a party’s entry in the register which relate to any relevant matter cease to be accurate, the person registered as treasurer of the party must give the Commission a notification under this section. (2) For the purposes of this section “relevant matter” means any of the following— (a) the name of any registered officer of the party; (b) the home address of any such officer; (c) the address of the party’s headquarters (or, if it has no headquarters, the address to which communications to the party may be sent); (d) the name of the treasurer of any accounting unit of the party or of any officer of such a unit registered for the purposes of section 27(3); (e) the name of any accounting unit of the party; (f) the address of the headquarters of any accounting unit of the party (or, if it has no headquarters, the address to which communications to the accounting unit may be sent). (3) A notification under this section ... must specify the relevant matter in respect of which the registered particulars have ceased to be accurate, and— (a) if that matter is specified in subsection (2)(a) or (d)— (i) specify the name of the officer replacing the person currently registered as holder of the office in question, and (ii) (if that person is so registered as an officer of the party) include an application for the registration of the replacement officer which complies with Part III of Schedule 4; and (b) otherwise, specify accurate particulars in respect of that matter. (3A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) A notification under this section must be given to the Commission— (a) where subsection (1) applies by reason of the death or the termination for any other reason of the appointment of any registered officer of the party, within the period of 14 days beginning with the date of his death or the termination of his appointment; (b) where that subsection applies by reason of any other change in circumstances, within the period of 28 days beginning with the date when the change occurs. (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) Where the Commission receive a notification under this section, they shall cause any change required as a consequence of the notification to be made in the party’s entry in the register as soon as is reasonably practicable. (6) In the case of a party with accounting units any reference to the party in subsection (2)(c) shall be read as a reference to the central organisation. (7) For the purposes of this section any particulars held by the Commission in respect of the home address of any registered officer of the party shall be taken to be particulars contained in the party’s entry in the register.

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32 Confirmation of registered particulars etc.

(1) The person registered as treasurer of a party must, within the specified period, give a notification under this section to the Commission. (1A) In subsection (1), “the specified period” means the period— (a) beginning on the first day of the period within which the statement of accounts for any financial year of the party is required to be delivered to the Commission by virtue of section 45, and (b) ending six months after the last day of that period. (2) A notification under this section must— (a) state that the particulars in the party’s entry in the register remain accurate and include any information prescribed under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 since the relevant time, or (b) so far as necessary to secure that such particulars will both be accurate and include any information so prescribed, contain one or more of the following, namely— (i) an application under section 30, (ii) a notification under section 31, or (iii) any information so prescribed. (3) A notification under this section must also give particulars of any change occurring in the party’s constitution (within the meaning of section 26) since the relevant time. (4) In subsections (2) and (3) “the relevant time” means— (a) the time when the party applied for registration, or (b) if a notification has been previously given under this section in relation to the party, the time when the last such notification was given. (5) A notification under this section must be accompanied by any fee prescribed by order made by the Secretary of State. (6) For the purposes of this section any particulars held by the Commission in respect of the home address of any registered officer of the party shall be taken to be particulars contained in the party’s entry in the register.

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33 Party ceasing to be registered.

(1) Once a party is registered its entry may only be removed from the register in accordance with subsection (2) or (2A). (2) Where— (a) a party applies to have its entry removed from the register, and (b) the application includes a declaration on behalf of the party that it does not intend to have any candidates at any relevant election, the Commission shall remove the party’s entry from the register. (2A) Where the Commission does not receive a notification required by virtue of section 32(1) or 34(3) on or before the specified day, the Commission shall remove the party's entry from the register. (2B) In subsection (2A) “the specified day” means— (a) in relation to a notification required by virtue of section 32(1), the last day of the specified period for the purposes of that subsection; (b) in relation to a notification required by virtue of section 34(3), the day which falls six months after the relevant anniversary of the party's inclusion in the register. (2C) In subsection (2B)(b), “relevant anniversary” means the anniversary in relation to which the notification is required to be given by virtue of section 34(3). (3) On the removal of a party's entry from the register by virtue of subsection (2) or (2A) the party shall cease to be a registered party. (4) However, until the relevant time— (a) the Commission shall, when considering applications made by other parties under this Part, treat the entry as if it were still contained in the register, and (b) the requirements of Parts III to V shall continue to apply to the party as if it were still registered. (4A) In subsection (4), “the relevant time” means— (a) if— (i) the party's entry is removed by virtue of subsection (2), and (ii) its gross income or total expenditure in its financial year preceding the year in which the entry is removed is £25,000 or more, the end of the financial year of the party which follows that in which the entry is removed; (b) otherwise, the end of the financial year of the party in which the entry is removed. (5) Part IV of Schedule 4 applies to applications under subsection (2).

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34 Registration of minor parties.

(1) This section applies to any party registered in the Great Britain register in pursuance of a declaration falling within section 28(2)(d) (referred to in this Act as a “minor party”). (2) The following provisions do not apply to a minor party— (a) any provisions of this Part so far as relating to the registration of a treasurer or campaigns officer for a registered party or otherwise referring to a registered treasurer or campaigns officer (or any deputy campaigns officer); (b) sections 26 and 27; and (c) section 36; but this is subject to subsection (8)(a). (3) The registered leader of a minor party must, in the case of each anniversary of the party’s inclusion in the register, give a notification under this subsection to the Commission within the period beginning one month before the anniversary and ending six months after it. (4) A notification under subsection (3) must— (a) state that the particulars in the party’s entry in the register remain accurate and include any information prescribed under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 since the relevant time, or (b) so far as necessary to secure that such particulars will both be accurate and include any information so prescribed, contain one or more of the following, namely— (i) an application under section 30, (ii) a notification under section 31, or (iii) any information so prescribed. (5) In subsection (4) “the relevant time” means— (a) the time when the party applied for registration, or (b) if a notification has previously been given under subsection (3) in relation to the party, the time when the last such notification was given; and for the purposes of subsection (4) any particulars held by the Commission in respect of the home address of any registered officer of the party shall be taken to be particulars contained in the party’s entry in the register. (6) A notification under subsection (3) must be accompanied by any fee prescribed by order made by the Secretary of State. (7) In addition to being able to make an application under section 30, a minor party may apply to the Commission to have— (a) the declaration mentioned in subsection (1) above cancelled, and (b) the party’s existing entry in the Great Britain register replaced by such entry or entries (in that or the Northern Ireland register) as accord with a fresh declaration sent by the party to the Commission and falling within section 28(2)(a), (b) or (c). (8) Where a minor party makes an application under subsection (7)— (a) the provisions mentioned in subsection (2)(a) and (b) shall apply to the party; (b) the party must provide the Commission with such information as— (i) would, by virtue of Schedule 4, be required to be provided in connection with an application by the party under section 28 to be registered in accordance with the fresh declaration mentioned in subsection (7)(b), and (ii) has not already been provided in connection with its existing registration as a minor party; and (c) the following provisions, namely— (i) sections 28(1)(c) and (3B) to (8C) and 29, and (ii) paragraphs 1(2) and 7 of Schedule 4, shall apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to the party’s application as if it were such an application under section 28 as is mentioned in paragraph (b)(i).

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35 Request by Secretary of State.

On receipt of a request made by the Secretary of State, the Commission shall send a copy of the Great Britain or Northern Ireland register, or any parts of it specified in the request, to— (a) the Secretary of State; or (b) any other person so specified.

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36 Assistance by Commission for existing registered parties.

(1) The Commission may, in accordance with a scheme prepared by them for the purposes of this section, provide assistance for existing parties with a view to helping them to meet, or to reducing, the expenses falling to be initially incurred by them in order to comply with Parts III and IV. (2) The assistance which may be so provided to an existing party may take the form of— (a) a grant to the party, or (b) the provision of non-financial benefits to the party (such as the provision of computer software free of charge), or both, as the scheme may determine. (3) The scheme may provide for an existing party’s entitlement to assistance under this section to depend on the Commission’s being satisfied that the expenses falling to be incurred by the party as mentioned in subsection (1) exceed an amount specified in the scheme. (4) Any grant under this section may be made subject to such conditions as the Commission consider appropriate. (5) The total expenditure incurred by the Commission in providing assistance under this section (whether by grants or otherwise) shall not exceed £700,000. (6) The Commission shall publish the scheme in such manner as they consider appropriate. (7) In this section “existing party” means any party registered under the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 at the commencement of this section.

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37 Party political broadcasts.

(1) A broadcaster shall not include in its broadcasting services any party political broadcast made on behalf of a party which is not a registered party. (2) In this Act “broadcaster” means— (a) the holder of a licence under the Broadcasting Act 1990 or 1996 , (b) the British Broadcasting Corporation, or (c) Sianel Pedwar Cymru. (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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38 Amendment of parliamentary elections rules.

(1) The rules set out in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (the parliamentary elections rules) shall be amended as follows. (2) In rule 6 (nomination of candidates), for paragraph (3) there shall be substituted— (3) The description, if any, must consist of either— (a) a description (of not more than 6 words in length) which is authorised as mentioned in rule 6A(1) below; or (b) the word “Independent” or, where the candidate is the Speaker of the House of Commons seeking re-election, the words “The Speaker seeking re-election”. (3) In rule 6A (nomination papers: name of registered political party)— (a) in paragraph (1), after “unless” there shall be inserted “ the party is a qualifying party in relation to the constituency and ”; and (b) for paragraph (3) there shall be substituted— (3) For the purposes of the application of this rule in relation to an election— (a) “registered political party” means a party which was registered under Part II of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 at the time by which the notice of the election is required to be published by virtue of rule 1 (“the relevant time”); (b) a registered political party is a qualifying party in relation to a constituency if— (i) the constituency is in England, Scotland or Wales and the party was at the relevant time registered in respect of that part of Great Britain in the Great Britain register maintained under that Part of that Act, or (ii) the constituency is in Northern Ireland and the party was at the relevant time registered in the Northern Ireland register maintained under that Part of that Act. (4) In the Appendix of Forms, in the form of nomination paper, for “Merchant” there shall be substituted “ Independent ”.

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39 False statements: offence.

A person commits an offence if— (a) he knowingly or recklessly makes a statement to the Commission which is false in any material particular, and (b) the statement is made, or purports to be made, on behalf of a party for any purpose of this Part of this Act.

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40 Interpretation of Part II.

(1) In this Part— “the appointed day” means the day appointed under section 163(2) for the coming into force of section 23; “financial year”, in relation to a registered party, shall be construed in accordance with section 41(6); “parish or community election” means an election of councillors for a parish in England or a community in Wales; “party” includes any organisation or person; “the register” shall be construed in accordance with section 28(10); “registered” (unless the context otherwise requires) means registered under this Part (whether in the Great Britain or the Northern Ireland register), and other references to registration shall be construed accordingly; “the registrar of companies” means the registrar or other officer who performs the duty of registering companies under the Companies Act 1985; “relevant election” shall be construed in accordance with section 22(5). (2) For the purposes of this Part a registered party contests an election— (a) by one or more candidates standing for election in the party’s name at the election, or (b) by the party itself standing nominated at the election. (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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41 Duty to keep accounting records.

(1) The treasurer of a registered party must ensure that accounting records are kept with respect to the party which are sufficient to show and explain the party’s transactions. (2) The accounting records must be such as to— (a) disclose at any time, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the party at that time; and (b) enable the treasurer to ensure that any statement of accounts prepared by him under section 42 complies with the requirements of regulations under subsection (2)(a) of that section. (3) The accounting records must in particular contain— (a) entries showing from day to day all sums of money received and expended by the party, and the matters in respect of which the receipt and expenditure take place; and (b) a record of the assets and liabilities of the party. (4) The treasurer must ensure that any accounting records made for the purposes of this section in respect of the party are preserved for at least six years from the end of the financial year of the party in which they are made. (5) Where a party ceases to be registered within the period of six years mentioned in subsection (4) as it applies to any accounting records, the obligation to ensure that those records are preserved in accordance with that subsection shall continue to be discharged by the last treasurer of the party unless— (a) the Commission consent in writing to the records being destroyed, or (b) the Commission direct in writing that the records may be otherwise disposed of and the records are disposed of in accordance with the direction. (6) In this Part “financial year”, in relation to a registered party, means such period as may be determined by the Commission under subsection (7), whether in relation to— (a) registered parties generally, (b) any description of registered parties which includes the party, or (c) the party itself. (7) The Commission may determine that the period which is to be a financial year of a registered party shall be— (a) a period of twelve months specified by the Commission, or (b) a shorter period specified by them for any transitional purposes; and different determinations may be made under this subsection in respect of financial years beginning on different dates. (8) The Commission shall notify registered parties of any determination under subsection (7) which affects them. (9) Nothing in this Part applies in relation to a minor party.

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42 Annual statements of accounts.

(1) The treasurer of a registered party shall prepare a statement of accounts in respect of each financial year of the party. (2) A statement of accounts under this section must— (a) comply with such requirements as to its form and contents as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commission; and (b) be approved— (i) by the management committee of the party, if there is one, and (ii) otherwise by the registered leader of the party. (3) Regulations under subsection (2)(a) may in particular— (a) require any such statement to be prepared in accordance with such methods and principles as are specified or referred to in the regulations; (b) specify information which is to be provided by way of notes to the accounts. (4) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 22(7) of Schedule 1 (power to make different provision for different cases), regulations under subsection (2)(a) may impose different requirements— (a) according to which of the following bands the gross income or total expenditure of a party falls within— (i) not exceeding £25,000; (ii) exceeding £25,000 but not £100,000; (iii) exceeding £100,000 but not £250,000; (iv) exceeding £250,000; (b) in respect of (on the one hand) parties registered in the Great Britain register and (on the other) those registered in the Northern Ireland register. (4A) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (4)(a) by varying the number of bands set out in it. (4B) The Secretary of State may not make an order under subsection (4A) except to give effect to a recommendation of the Commission. (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6) The treasurer of a registered party shall ensure that any statement of accounts prepared under this section in respect of the party is preserved for at least six years from the end of the financial year to which the statement relates. (7) Subsection (5) of section 41 shall apply in relation to the preservation of any such statement as it applies in relation to the preservation of any accounting records (the references to subsection (4) of that section being read as references to subsection (6) above). (8) In this Part “gross income” means gross recorded income from all sources.

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43 Annual audits.

(1) Where a registered party’s gross income or total expenditure in any financial year exceeds £250,000, the accounts of the party for that year must be audited by a qualified auditor. (2) Where— (a) a registered party’s gross income or total expenditure in any financial year does not exceed £250,000, but (b) the Commission consider it desirable that the accounts of the party for that year should be audited, the Commission may (at any time) give the treasurer of the party a direction requiring those accounts to be audited by a qualified auditor. (3) An audit under this section must be carried out— (a) by the end of the period of six months from the end of the financial year in question, if the audit is required by subsection (1), or (b) by the later of— (i) the end of the period of six months from the end of the financial year in question, and (ii) the end of the period of three months from the date of the direction under subsection (2), if the audit is required by such a direction. (4) If it appears to the Commission that any accounts required to be audited by virtue of— (a) subsection (1), or (b) a direction under subsection (2), have not been duly audited by the time mentioned in subsection (3)(a) or (b) (as the case may be), the Commission may appoint a qualified auditor to audit those accounts. (5) The expenses of any audit carried out by an auditor appointed by the Commission, including the auditor’s remuneration, may be recovered by the Commission from the funds of the party concerned as a debt due to the Commission. (6) The Commission may by regulations make provision with respect to— (a) the appointment of auditors to carry out audits under this section; (b) the duties of auditors so appointed; and (c) the removal or resignation of such auditors and matters connected with their removal or resignation. (7) Regulations under subsection (6)(c) may make provision requiring such person as is specified in the regulations to deliver to the Commission, in a case where such an auditor is removed or resigns, a copy of such document relating to the auditor’s removal or resignation as is so specified; and any such person commits an offence if he fails to comply with any such requirement. (8) Subsection (6)(a) does not apply in relation to the appointment of auditors by the Commission under subsection (4).

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44 Supplementary provisions about auditors.

(1) An auditor appointed to carry out an audit under section 43— (a) has a right of access at all reasonable times to the party’s books, documents and other records; and (b) is entitled to require from the treasurer or any other officer of the party, or from any former treasurer or officer of the party, such information and explanations as he thinks necessary for the performance of his duty as auditor. (2) If any person fails to provide an auditor with any access, information or explanation to which the auditor is entitled by virtue of subsection (1), the Commission may give that person such written directions as they consider appropriate for securing that the default is made good. (3) A person guilty of disobedience to any directions of the Commission under subsection (2) may, on the application of the Commission to the High Court or the Court of Session, be dealt with as for disobedience to an order of that Court. (4) A person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes to an auditor appointed to carry out an audit under section 43 a statement (whether written or oral) which— (a) conveys or purports to convey any information or explanation to which the auditor is entitled by virtue of subsection (1), and (b) is misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular. (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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45 Delivery of statements of accounts etc. to Commission.

(1) The treasurer of a registered party shall, if the party’s accounts for a financial year are not required to be audited by virtue of section 43(1) or (2), within 4 months of the end of that financial year deliver to the Commission— (a) the statement of accounts prepared for that year under section 42; and (b) the notification required to be sent with that statement by virtue of section 32(1). (2) If a registered party’s accounts for a financial year are required to be audited by virtue of section 43(1) or (2), the treasurer of the party shall, no later than 7 days after the end of the period allowed under section 43(3) for the audit of the accounts, deliver to the Commission— (a) the documents mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1); and (b) a copy of the auditor’s report (unless the auditor was appointed by the Commission under section 43(4)). (3) If for any special reason the Commission think it fit to do so they may, on an application made to them before the end of the period otherwise allowed under this section for delivering a party’s documents within subsection (1) or (2) for any financial year, by notice extend that period by a further period specified in the notice. (4) Any documents delivered to the Commission under this section shall be kept by the Commission for such period as they think fit.

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46 Public inspection of parties’ statements of accounts.

Where the Commission receive any statement of accounts under section 45, they shall— (a) as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the statement, make a copy of the statement available for public inspection; and (b) keep any such copy available for public inspection for the period for which the statement is kept by them or, if they so determine, during such shorter period as they may specify.

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47 Criminal penalty for failure to submit proper statement of accounts.

(1) If in the case of a registered party— (a) any requirements of regulations under section 42(2)(a) are , without reasonable excuse, not complied with in relation to any statement of accounts delivered to the Commission under section 45, or (b) any statement of accounts, notification or auditor’s report required to be delivered to the Commission under that section is , without reasonable excuse, not delivered to them before the end of the relevant period, the person who was the treasurer of the party immediately before the end of that period is guilty of an offence. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) In this section “the relevant period” means the period allowed by section 45(1) or (2) for delivering the statement, notification or report to the Commission or, if that period has been extended (or further extended) under section 45(3), that period as so extended.

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48 Revision of defective statements of accounts.

(1) If it appears to the treasurer of a registered party that any statement of accounts for any financial year of the party has not complied with any requirements of regulations under section 42(2)(a) (“the prescribed requirements”), he may prepare a revised statement of accounts. (2) Where that statement of accounts has been delivered to the Commission, the revisions shall be confined to— (a) the correction of those respects in which the statement did not comply with the prescribed requirements, and (b) the making of any necessary consequential alterations. (3) If it appears to the Commission that there is, or may be, a question whether any statement of accounts delivered to them under section 45 complies with the prescribed requirements, they may give notice to the treasurer of the party in question indicating the respects in which it appears to them that such a question arises or may arise. (4) The notice shall specify a period of not less than one month for the treasurer to give the Commission an explanation of the statement of accounts or prepare a revised statement. (5) If at the end of the specified period, or such longer period as the Commission may allow, it appears to the Commission— (a) that no satisfactory explanation of the statement of accounts has been given, and (b) that the statement has not been revised so as to comply with the prescribed requirements, they may, if they think fit, make an application to the court under subsection (6). (6) The Commission may under this subsection make an application to the court— (a) for a declaration or declarator that the statement of accounts does not comply with the prescribed requirements, and (b) for an order requiring the treasurer of the party to prepare a revised statement of accounts. (7) If the court orders the preparation of revised accounts, it may— (a) give such directions as it thinks fit; (b) order that all or part of the costs (or in Scotland expenses) of and incidental to the application are to be borne by the registered leader and the treasurer of the party. (8) Where the court makes an order under paragraph (b) of subsection (7) it shall have regard to whether the officers mentioned in that paragraph knew or ought to have known that the statement did not comply with the prescribed requirements, and it may— (a) order the payment of different amounts by different officers; (b) exclude one of the officers from the order; or (c) exclude both officers from the order and instead order the payment of all or part of the costs (or expenses) mentioned in that paragraph out of the funds of the party. (9) The Commission may by regulations make provision with respect to the application of provisions of this Part in relation to the preparation and auditing of revised statements of accounts, and their delivery to the Commission, and may in particular make provision— (a) for any matter for which provision may be made by regulations under section 43(6); (b) for disapplying, to such extent or in such circumstances (or both) as regulations under this subsection may specify, any of the provisions of section 47(1). (10) Section 46 applies in relation to any revised statement of accounts received by the Commission in accordance with regulations under subsection (9) as it applies in relation to any statement of accounts received by them under section 45. (11) The provisions of this section apply equally to statements of accounts that have already been revised, in which case the references to revised statements of accounts shall be read as references to further revised statements. (12) In this section “the court”— (a) in relation to England and Wales means the county court and, in Northern Ireland, means a county court; and (b) in relation to Scotland, means the sheriff. (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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49 Division of responsibilities in case of party with accounting units.

Where a registered party is a party with accounting units, sections 41 to 48 have effect in accordance with Schedule 5, which makes provision for securing that— (a) financial matters relating to the party exclusive of those relating to any accounting unit, and (b) financial matters relating to any such unit, are dealt with separately for the purposes of this Part.

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50 Donations for purposes of Part IV.

(1) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Part. (2) “Donation”, in relation to a registered party, means (subject to section 52)— (a) any gift to the party of money or other property; (b) any sponsorship provided in relation to the party (as defined by section 51); (c) any subscription or other fee paid for affiliation to, or membership of, the party; (d) any money spent (otherwise than by or on behalf of the party) in paying any expenses incurred directly or indirectly by the party; (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (f) the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the party (including the services of any person). (3) Where— (a) any money or other property is transferred to a registered party pursuant to any transaction or arrangement involving the provision by or on behalf of the party of any property, services or facilities or other consideration of monetary value, and (b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration so provided by or on behalf of the party is less than the value of the money or (as the case may be) the market value of the property transferred, the transfer of the money or property shall (subject to subsection (5)) constitute a gift to the party for the purposes of subsection (2)(a). (4) In determining— (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (b) for the purposes of subsection (2)(f), whether any property, services or facilities provided for the use or benefit of a registered party is or are so provided otherwise than on such terms, regard shall be had to the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the party in respect of . . . the provision of the property, services or facilities. (5) Where (apart from this subsection) anything would be a donation both by virtue of subsection (2)(b) and by virtue of any other provision of this section, subsection (2)(b) (together with section 51) shall apply in relation to it to the exclusion of the other provision of this section. (6) Anything given or transferred to any officer, member, trustee or agent of a registered party in his capacity as such (and not for his own use or benefit) is to be regarded as given or transferred to the party (and references to donations received by a party accordingly include donations so given or transferred). (7) Except so far as a contrary intention appears, references to a registered party in the context of— (a) the making of donations to, or the receipt or acceptance of donations by, a registered party, or (b) any provision having effect for or in connection with determining what constitutes a donation to such a party, shall, in the case of a party with accounting units, be construed as references to the central organisation of the party or any of its accounting units. (8) In this section— (a) any reference to anything being given or transferred to a party or any person is a reference to its being so given or transferred either directly or indirectly through any third person; (b) “gift” includes bequest. (9) Nothing in this Part applies in relation to donations received by a minor party.

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51 Sponsorship.

(1) For the purposes of this Part sponsorship is provided in relation to a registered party if— (a) any money or other property is transferred to the party or to any person for the benefit of the party, and (b) the purpose (or one of the purposes) of the transfer is (or must, having regard to all the circumstances, reasonably be assumed to be)— (i) to help the party with meeting, or to meet, to any extent any defined expenses incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of the party, or (ii) to secure that to any extent any such expenses are not so incurred. (2) In subsection (1) “defined expenses” means expenses in connection with— (a) any conference, meeting or other event organised by or on behalf of the party; (b) the preparation, production or dissemination of any publication by or on behalf of the party; or (c) any study or research organised by or on behalf of the party. (3) The following do not, however, constitute sponsorship by virtue of subsection (1)— (a) the making of any payment in respect of— (i) any charge for admission to any conference, meeting or other event, or (ii) the purchase price of, or any other charge for access to, any publication; (b) the making of any payment in respect of the inclusion of an advertisement in any publication where the payment is made at the commercial rate payable for the inclusion of such an advertisement in any such publication; and subsection (1) also has effect subject to section 52(3). (4) The Secretary of State may by order made on the recommendation of the Commission amend subsection (2) or (3). (5) In this section “publication” means a publication made available in whatever form and by whatever means (whether or not to the public at large or any section of the public).

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52 Payments, services etc. not to be regarded as donations.

(1) For the purposes of this Part none of the following shall be regarded as a donation— (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (b) any grant under section 170 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (security costs at party conferences); (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (d) the transmission by a broadcaster, free of charge, of a party political broadcast or a referendum campaign broadcast (within the meaning of section 127); (e) any other facilities provided in pursuance of any right conferred on candidates or a party at an election or a referendum by any enactment; (f) the provision of assistance by a person appointed under section 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989; (g) the provision by any individual of his own services which he provides voluntarily in his own time and free of charge; (h) any interest accruing to a registered party in respect of any donation which is dealt with by the party in accordance with section 56(2)(a) or (b). (2) For the purposes of this Part there shall be disregarded— (a) any donation which (in accordance with any enactment) falls to be included in a return as to election expenses in respect of a candidate or candidates at a particular election; and (b) . . . any donation whose value (as determined in accordance with section 53) is not more than £500. (3) Nothing in section 50 or 51 shall have the result that a payment made in respect of the hire of a stand at a party conference organised by or on behalf of a registered party is to constitute a donation to the party for the purposes of this Part if or to the extent that the payment does not exceed such of the maximum rates which the Commission determine to be reasonable for the hire of stands at party conferences as is applicable to the hire of the stand in question. (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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