Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation

1.-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the European Parliamentary Elections (Forms) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2015.

(2) These Regulations come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.

(3) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland only.

(4) In these Regulations, "the 2004 Regulations" means the European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004(4).

Amendment of forms in the European Parliamentary elections rules

2.-(1) Part 8 of Schedule 1 to the 2004 Regulations (European Parliamentary elections rules: appendix of forms)(5) is amended as follows.

(2) Replace Form A (form of front of ballot paper and form of back of ballot paper together with the directions for printing the ballot paper) with the form in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(3) Replace Form F (official poll card issued to an elector voting at a polling station) with the form in Schedule 2 to these Regulations.

(4) Replace Form F1 (official postal poll card issued to an elector voting by post)(6) with the form in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

(5) Replace Form G (official poll card issued to a proxy voting at a polling station) with the form in Schedule 4 to these Regulations.

(6) Replace Form G1 (official postal poll card issued to a proxy voting by post)(7) with the form in Schedule 5 to these Regulations.

(7) Replace Form H (directions for guidance for voters at a polling station) with the form in Schedule 6 to these Regulations.

(8) Replace Form I (certificate of employment) with the form in Schedule 7 to these Regulations.

(9) Replace Form J (form of declaration to be made by the companion of a voter with disabilities) with the form in Schedule 8 to these Regulations.

Amendment of Schedule 2 (Absent Voters)

3.-(1) Schedule 2 to the 2004 Regulations(8) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 32 (procedure in relation to declarations of identity on receipt of covering envelope)-

(a)in sub-paragraph (1)(a), omit the words "and given his name and address"; and

(b)after sub-paragraph (1) insert-

"(1A) A person must not sign the declaration as a witness under sub-paragraph (1)(a) unless he is-

(a)aged 18 years or over; and

(b)satisfied to the best of his knowledge and belief as to the identity of the voter.".

(3) Part 3 (appendix of forms) is amended as follows.

(4) Replace Form K (proxy paper)(9) with the form in Schedule 9 to these Regulations.

(5) Replace Form L (declaration of identity)(10) with the form in Schedule 10 to these Regulations.

Amendment of Schedule 6 (Combined Polls)

4.-(1) Schedule 6 to the 2004 Regulations (combined polls) is amended as follows.

(2) Omit paragraph 17A(11).

(3) Replace the form inserted by paragraph 22 (form N: declaration of identity (combined polls))(12) with the form in Schedule 11 to these Regulations.

Regulation 2(2)

SCHEDULE 1Form A

Form of front of ballot paper

Form of back of ballot paper

Directions for printing the ballot paper

Regulation 2(3)

SCHEDULE 2Form F

Regulation 2(4)

SCHEDULE 3Form F1

Regulation 2(5)

SCHEDULE 4Form G

Regulation 2(6)

SCHEDULE 5Form G1

Regulation 2(7)

SCHEDULE 6Form H

Regulation 2(8)

SCHEDULE 7Form I

Regulation 2(9)

SCHEDULE 8Form J

Regulation 3(4)

SCHEDULE 9Form K

Regulation 3(5)

SCHEDULE 10Form L

Regulation 4(3)

SCHEDULE 11Form N

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the forms used at European Parliamentary elections held in Northern Ireland for ballot papers, poll cards, postal poll cards, proxy poll cards, proxy postal poll cards, guidance for voters, certificates of employment, declarations made by the companions of voters with disabilities, proxy papers, declarations of identity, and declarations of identity at combined polls. These Regulations also remove the requirement for a witness to a declaration of identity to provide a name and address and define who may act as a witness.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.