Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)

(The document as of February, 2008)

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Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

2000 CHAPTER 41

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Content

Part I

The Electoral Commission
1. Establishment of Electoral Commission and bodieswith related functions
  1. 1. Establishment of the Electoral Commission.
  2. 2. Speaker's Committee.
  3. 3. Appointment of Electoral Commissioners and Commission chairman.
  4. 4. Parliamentary Parties Panel.
2. Commission's general functions
  1. 5. Reports on elections and referendums.
  2. 6. Reviews of electoral and political matters.
  3. 7. Commission to be consulted on changes to electoral law.
  4. 8. Powers with respect to elections exercisable only on Commission recommendation.
  5. 9. Involvement of Commission in changes in electoral procedures.
  6. 10. Giving of advice and assistance.
  7. 11. Broadcasters to have regard to Commission's views on party political broadcasts.
  8. 12. Policy development grants.
  9. 13. Education about electoral and democratic systems.
3. Commission's electoral boundary functions
  1. 14. Boundary committees.
  2. 15. Deputy Electoral Commissioners.
  3. 16. Transfer of functions of Boundary Commissions.
  4. 17. Transfer of property etc. of the Boundary Commissions.
  5. 18. Transfer of functions of Local Government Commission for England.
  6. 19. Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland.
  7. 20. Transfer of functions of Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales.
4. Supplementary
  1. 21. Interpretation of Part I.
Part II

Registration of political parties
1. Requirement for registration
  1. 22. Parties to be registered in order to field candidates at elections.
2. The registers of political parties
  1. 23. The new registers.
3. Preliminary requirements
  1. 24. Office-holders to be registered.
  2. 25. Parties with campaigns officers.
  3. 26. Financial structure of registered party: adoption of scheme.
  4. 27. Financial structure of registered party: accounting units.
4. Registration
  1. 28. Registration of parties.
  2. 29. Emblems.
  3. 30. Changes to the register.
  4. 31. Notification of changes in party's officers etc.
  5. 32. Confirmation of registered particulars etc.
  6. 33. Party ceasing to be registered.
  7. 34. Registration of minor parties.
  8. 35. Request by Secretary of State.
  9. 36. Assistance by Commission for existing registered parties.
5. Supplemental
  1. 37. Party political broadcasts.
  2. 38. Amendment of parliamentary elections rules.
  3. 39. False statements: offence.
  4. 40. Interpretation of Part II.
Part III

Accounting requirements for registered parties
1. Accounting records
  1. 41. Duty to keep accounting records.
2. Statements of accounts
  1. 42. Annual statements of accounts.
  2. 43. Annual audits.
  3. 44. Supplementary provisions about auditors.
  4. 45. Delivery of statements of accounts etc. to Commission.
  5. 46. Public inspection of parties' statements of accounts.
  6. 47. Criminal penalty for failure to submit proper statement of accounts.
3. Revision of statements of accounts
  1. 48. Revision of defective statements of accounts.
4. Parties with accounting units
  1. 49. Division of responsibilities in case of party with accounting units.
Part IV

Control of donations to registered parties and their members etc.
1. Chapter I
  
  Donations to registered parties
  1. 50. Donations for purposes of Part IV.
  2. 51. Sponsorship.
  3. 52. Payments, services etc. not to be regarded as donations.
  4. 53. Value of donations.
2. Chapter II
  
  Restrictions on donations to registered parties
  1. Permissible donations
    1. 54. Permissible donors.
    2. 55. Payments etc. which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors.
    3. 56. Acceptance or return of donations: general.
    4. 57. Return of donations where donor unidentifiable.
  2. Forfeiture of certain donations
    1. 58. Forfeiture of donations made by impermissible or unidentifiable donors.
    2. 59. Appeal against order under section 58.
    3. 60. Supplementary provisions about orders under section 58.
  3. Evasion of restrictions on donations
    1. 61. Offences concerned with evasion of restrictions on donations.
3. Chapter III
  
  Reporting of donations to registered parties
  1. Reports to be made by registered parties
    1. 62. Quarterly donation reports.
    2. 63. Weekly donation reports during general election periods.
    3. 64. Exemptions from section 63.
    4. 65. Submission of donation reports to Commission.
    5. 66. Declaration by treasurer in donation report.
  2. Extension of reporting requirements
    1. 67. Weekly donation reports in connection with elections other than general elections.
  3. Reports to be made by donors
    1. 68. Reporting of multiple small donations.
  4. Register of donations
    1. 69. Register of recordable donations.
4. Chapter IV
  
  Power to make special provision
  1. 70. Special provision for Northern Ireland parties.
5. Chapter V
  
  Control of donations to individuals and members associations
  1. 71. Control of donations to individuals and members associations.
Part V

Control of campaign expenditure
1. Preliminary
  1. 72. Campaign expenditure.
  2. 73. Notional campaign expenditure.
  3. 74. Officers of registered party with responsibility for campaign expenditure.
2. General restrictions relating to campaign expenditure
  1. 75. Restriction on incurring campaign expenditure.
  2. 76. Restriction on payments in respect of campaign expenditure.
  3. 77. Restriction on making claims in respect of campaign expenditure.
  4. 78. Disputed claims.
3. Financial limits
  1. 79. Limits on campaign expenditure.
4. Returns
  1. 80. Returns as to campaign expenditure.
  2. 81. Auditor's report on return.
  3. 82. Delivery of returns to the Commission.
  4. 83. Declaration by treasurer as to return under section 80.
  5. 84. Public inspection of returns under section 80.
Part VI

Controls relating to third party national election campaigns
1. Chapter I
  
  Preliminary
  1. Controlled expenditure by third parties
    1. 85. Controlled expenditure by third parties.
    2. 86. Notional controlled expenditure.
    3. 87. Expenditure by third parties which is not controlled expenditure.
  2. Recognised third parties
    1. 88. Third parties recognised for the purposes of this Part.
    2. 89. Register of notifications for purposes of section 88.
2. Chapter II
  
  Financial controls
  1. General restrictions relating to controlled expenditure by recognised third parties
    1. 90. Restriction on incurring controlled expenditure.
    2. 91. Restriction on payments in respect of controlled expenditure.
    3. 92. Restriction on making claims in respect of controlled expenditure.
    4. 93. Disputed claims.
  2. Financial limits
    1. 94. Limits on controlled expenditure by third parties.
  3. Donations to recognised third parties
    1. 95. Control of donations to recognised third parties.
  4. Returns
    1. 96. Returns as to controlled expenditure.
    2. 97. Auditor's report on return.
    3. 98. Delivery of returns to the Commission.
    4. 99. Declaration by responsible person as to return under section 96.
    5. 100. Public inspection of returns under section 96.
Part VII

Referendums
1. Chapter I
  
  Preliminary
  1. Referendums to which this Part applies
    1. 101. Referendums to which this Part applies.
    2. 102. Referendum period.
    3. 103. Date of poll.
    4. 104. Referendum questions.
  2. Permitted participants
    1. 105. Permitted participants.
    2. 106. Declarations and notifications for purposes of section 105.
    3. 107. Register of declarations and notifications for purposes of section 105.
  3. Assistance for designated organisations
    1. 108. Designation of organisations to whom assistance is available.
    2. 109. Applications for designation under section 108.
    3. 110. Assistance available to designated organisations.
2. Chapter II
  
  Financial controls
  1. Referendum expenses
    1. 111. Referendum expenses.
    2. 112. Notional referendum expenses.
  2. General restrictions relating to referendum expenses incurred by permitted participants
    1. 113. Restriction on incurring referendum expenses.
    2. 114. Restriction on payments in respect of referendum expenses.
    3. 115. Restriction on making claims in respect of referendum expenses.
    4. 116. Disputed claims.
  3. Financial limits
    1. 117. General restriction on referendum expenses.
    2. 118. Special restrictions on referendum expenses by permitted participants.
  4. Donations to permitted participants
    1. 119. Control of donations to permitted participants.
  5. Returns
    1. 120. Returns as to referendum expenses.
    2. 121. Auditor's report on return.
    3. 122. Delivery of returns to Commission.
    4. 123. Declaration of responsible person as to return under section 120.
    5. 124. Public inspection of returns under section 120.
3. Chapter III
  
  Controls on Publications
  1. 125. Restriction on publication etc. of promotional material by central and local government etc.
  2. 126. Details to appear on referendum material.
  3. 127. Referendum campaign broadcasts.
4. Chapter IV
  
  Conduct of referendums
  1. 128. Chief Counting Officers, and counting officers, for referendums.
  2. 129. Orders regulating conduct of referendums.
Part VIII

Election campaigns and proceedings
1. Control of donations to candidates
  1. 130. Control of donations to candidates.
2. Control of election expenses
  1. 131. Election expenses incurred otherwise than by candidate.
  2. 132. Financial limits applying to candidates' election expenses.
  3. 133. Power to vary provisions about election expenses.
  4. 134. Meaning of "election expenses".
  5. 135. Meaning of "candidate".
3. Corrupt and illegal practices
  1. 136. Corrupt and illegal practices: consequences for persons convicted of such practices.
  2. 137. Corrupt and illegal practices: election petitions etc.
4. Miscellaneous amendments
  1. 138. Election campaigns and proceedings: miscellaneous amendments.
Part IX

Political donations and expenditure by companies
1. Control of political donations
  1. 139. Control of political donations by companies.
2. Disclosure of political donations and expenditure
  1. 140. Disclosure of political donations and expenditure in directors' report.
Part X

Miscellaneous and general
1. Overseas electors
  1. 141. Reduction of qualifying period for overseas electors.
2. Pre-consolidation amendments
  1. 142. Pre-consolidation amendments.
3. Election material
  1. 143. Details to appear on election material.
4. Broadcasting during election period
  1. 144. Broadcasting of local items during election period.
5. Enforcement of Act
  1. 145. General function of Commission with respect to monitoring compliance with controls imposed by the Act etc.
  2. 146. Supervisory powers of Commission.
  3. 147. Civil penalty for failure to deliver documents etc.
  4. 148. General offences.
6. Inspection of registers etc.
  1. 149. Inspection of Commission's registers etc.
7. Provisions relating to offences
  1. 150. Punishment of offences.
  2. 151. Summary proceedings.
  3. 152. Offences committed by bodies corporate.
  4. 153. Offences committed by unincorporated associations.
  5. 154. Duty of court to report convictions to Commission.
8. Variation of specified sums
  1. 155. Power to vary specified sums.
9. Supplementary
  1. 156. Orders and regulations.
  2. 157. Documents for purposes of the Act.
  3. 158. Minor and consequential amendments and repeals.
  4. 159. Financial provisions.
  5. 160. General interpretation.
  6. 161. Interpretation: donations.
  7. 162. Interpretation: exempt trust donations.
  8. 163. Short title, commencement, transitional provisions and extent.
Schedules:
1. Schedule 1
  
  The Electoral Commission.
2. Schedule 2
  
  The Speaker's Committee.
3. Schedule 3
  
  Transfer of functions of Boundary Commissions.
  1. Part I
    
    Amendments of Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.
  2. Part II
    
    Amendments of other Acts.
4. Schedule 4
  
  Applications under Part II.
  1. Part I
    
    Application for registration.
  2. Part II
    
    Application for alteration of entry.
  3. Part III
    
    Application for registration of replacement officer.
  4. Part IV
    
    Application for removal of entry.
5. Schedule 5
  
  Accounting units: application of accounting requirements.
6. Schedule 6
  
  Details to be given in donation reports.
7. Schedule 7
  
  Control of donations to individuals and members associations.
  1. Part I
    
    Introductory.
  2. Part II
    
    Controls on donations.
  3. Part III
    
    Reporting of donations by regulated donees.
  4. Part IV
    
    Reporting of donations by donors.
  5. Part V
    
    Register of donations.
  6. Part VI
    
    Power to make special provision.
8. Schedule 8
  
  Campaign expenditure: qualifying expenses.
  1. Part I
    
    Qualifying expenses.
  2. Part II
    
    Supplemental.
9. Schedule 9
  
  Limits on campaign expenditure.
  1. Part I
    
    Introductory.
  2. Part II
    
    General limits.
  3. Part III
    
    Limits applying in special circumstances.
10. Schedule 10
  
  Limits on controlled expenditure.
  1. Part I
    
    Introductory.
  2. Part II
    
    General limits.
  3. Part III
    
    Limits applying in special circumstances.
11. Schedule 11
  
  Control of donations to recognised third parties.
  1. Part I
    
    Introductory.
  2. Part II
    
    Controls on donations.
  3. Part III
    
    Reporting of donations.
12. Schedule 12
  
  Assistance available to designated organisations.
13. Schedule 13
  
  Referendum expenses: qualifying expenses.
  1. Part I
    
    Qualifying expenses.
  2. Part II
    
    Supplemental.
14. Schedule 14
  
  Limits on referendum expenses by permitted participants.
15. Schedule 15
  
  Control of donations to permitted participants.
  1. Part I
    
    Introductory.
  2. Part II
    
    Controls on donations.
  3. Part III
    
    Reporting of donations.
16. Schedule 16
  
  Control of donations to candidates: New Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983.
  1. Part I
    
    Introductory.
  2. Part II
    
    Controls on donations.
  3. Part III
    
    Reporting of donations.
17. Schedule 17
  
  Amendments relating to election petitions.
18. Schedule 18
  
  Election campaigns and proceedings: miscellaneous amendments.
19. Schedule 19
  
  Control of political donations by companies: new Part XA of Companies Act 1985.
20. Schedule 20
  
  Penalties.
21. Schedule 21
  
  Minor and consequential amendments.
22. Schedule 22
  
  Repeals.
23. Schedule 23
  
  Transitional provisions.
  1. Part I
    
    Transfer of registration of existing registered parties.
  2. Part II
    
    Other transitional provisions.

An Act to establish an Electoral Commission; to make provision about the registration and finances of political parties; to make provision about donations and expenditure for political purposes; to make provision about election and referendum campaigns and the conduct of referendums; to make provision about election petitions and other legal proceedings in connection with elections; to reduce the qualifying periods set out in sections 1 and 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1985; to make pre-consolidation amendments relating to European Parliamentary Elections; and for connected purposes.

[30th November 2000]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:--

Part I The Electoral Commission

Establishment of Electoral Commission and bodies with related functions

1 Establishment of the Electoral Commission

(1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as the Electoral Commission or, in Welsh, Comisiwn Etholiadol (in this Act referred to as "the Commission").

(2) The Commission shall consist of members to be known as Electoral Commissioners.

(3) There shall be not less than five, but not more than nine, Electoral Commissioners.

(4) The Electoral Commissioners shall be appointed by Her Majesty (in accordance with section 3).

(5) Her Majesty shall (in accordance with section 3) appoint one of the Electoral Commissioners to be the chairman of the Commission.

(6) Schedule 1, which makes further provision in relation to the Commission, shall have effect.

2 Speaker's Committee

(1) There shall be a Committee (to be known as "the Speaker's Committee") to perform the functions conferred on the Committee by this Act.

(2) The Speaker's Committee shall consist of the Speaker of the House of Commons, who shall be the chairman of the Committee, and the following other members, namely--

(a) the Member of the House of Commons who is for the time being the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee of the House of Commons;

(b) the Secretary of State for the Home Department (whether or not a Member of the House of Commons);

(c) a Member of the House of Commons who is a Minister of the Crown with responsibilities in relation to local government; and

(d) five Members of the House of Commons who are not Ministers of the Crown.

(3) The member of the Committee mentioned in subsection (2)(c) shall be appointed to membership of the Committee by the Prime Minister.

(4) The members of the Committee mentioned in subsection (2)(d) shall be appointed to membership of the Committee by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

(5) Schedule 2, which makes further provision in relation to the Speaker's Committee, shall have effect.

(6) In this section and that Schedule, references to the Home Affairs Select Committee shall--

(a) if the name of that Committee is changed, be taken (subject to paragraph (b)) to be references to the Committee by its new name;

(b) if the functions of that Committee at the passing of this Act with respect to electoral matters (or functions substantially corresponding thereto) become functions of a different committee of the House of Commons, be taken to be references to the committee by whom the functions are for the time being exercisable.

3 Appointment of Electoral Commissioners and Commission chairman

(1) The powers of Her Majesty under section 1(4) and (5) shall be exercisable on an Address from the House of Commons.

(2) No motion shall be made for such an Address except--

(a) with the agreement of the Speaker of the House of Commons; and

(b) after consultation with the registered leader of each registered party to which two or more Members of the House of Commons then belong.

(3) Such an Address shall specify the period (not exceeding 10 years) for which each proposed Electoral Commissioner to whom the Address relates is to hold office as such Commissioner or (as the case may be) the period for which the proposed chairman of the Commission is to hold office as such chairman.

(4) A person may not be appointed as an Electoral Commissioner if the person--

(a) is a member of a registered party;

(b) is an officer or employee of a registered party or of any accounting unit of such a party;

(d) has at any time within the last ten years--

(i) been such an officer or employee as is mentioned in paragraph (b), or

(ii) held such an office as is mentioned in paragraph (c), or

(iii) been named as a donor in the register of donations reported under Chapter III or V of Part IV.

(5) An Electoral Commissioner, or the chairman of the Commission, may be re-appointed (or further re-appointed).

(6) In subsection (2)(b) the reference to Members of the House of Commons does not include any Member of that House who at the time in question--

(a) has not made and subscribed the oath required by the [1866 c. 19.] Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866 (or the corresponding affirmation); or

(b) is disqualified from sitting and voting in that House.

(7) In this section "registered party"--

(a) includes (in relation to times before the appointed day for the purposes of Part II of this Act) a party registered under the [1998 c. 48.] Registration of Political Parties Act 1998; and

(b) in subsection (4)(b) also includes (in relation to times before 1st April 1999) any political party.

4 Parliamentary Parties Panel

(1) There shall be a panel (to be known as "the Parliamentary Parties Panel") which consists of representatives of qualifying parties appointed in accordance with this section.

(2) The function of the panel shall be to submit representations or information to the Commission about such matters affecting political parties as the panel think fit.

(3) Where the panel submit any such representations or information to the Commission, the Commission shall--

(a) consider the representations or information, and

(b) decide whether, and (if so) to what extent, they should act on the representations or information.

(4) Each qualifying party shall be entitled to be represented on the panel by a person appointed to the panel by the treasurer of the party.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), a person so appointed shall be a member of the panel for such period as the treasurer of the party may determine when making the appointment.

(6) A person so appointed shall cease to be a member of the panel if at any time--

(a) his appointment is terminated for any reason by the treasurer of the party, or

(b) the party ceases to be a qualifying party.

(7) The panel may determine their own procedure.

(8) The validity of any proceedings of the panel shall not be affected by any failure by the treasurer of a qualifying party to make any appointment in accordance with this section.

(9) In this section "qualifying party" means a registered party--

(a) to which two or more Members of the House of Commons for the time being belong, who have made and subscribed to the oath required by the [1866 c. 19.] Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866 (or the corresponding affirmation) and are not disqualified from sitting or voting in the House; or

(b) to which two or more such Members belonged immediately after the most recent parliamentary general election.

Commission's general functions

5 Reports on elections and referendums

(1) The Commission shall, after--

(a) each election to which this section applies, and

(b) each referendum to which Part VII applies,

prepare and publish (in such manner as the Commission may determine) a report on the administration of the election or referendum.

(2) The elections to which this section applies are the following, namely--

(a) a parliamentary general election;

(b) a European Parliamentary general election;

(d) a National Assembly for Wales ordinary election;

(e) a Northern Ireland Assembly general election.

(3) After a poll held under section 36 of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998 the Commission shall, if requested to do so by the National Assembly for Wales, at the Assembly's expense prepare and publish (in such manner as the Commission may determine) a report on the administration of the poll.

6 Reviews of electoral and political matters

(1) The Commission shall keep under review, and from time to time submit reports to the Secretary of State on, the following matters, namely--

(a) such matters relating to elections to which this section applies as the Commission may determine from time to time;

(b) such matters relating to referendums to which this section applies as the Commission may so determine;

(d) if any functions are transferred by an order under section 18(1), 19(1) or 20(1), the matters in relation to which those functions are exercisable;

(e) the registration of political parties and the regulation of their income and expenditure;

(f) political advertising in the broadcast and other electronic media;

(g) the law relating to the matters mentioned in each of paragraphs (a) to (f).

(2) At the request of the Secretary of State, and within such time as the Secretary of State may specify, the Commission shall--

(a) review, and

(b) submit a report to the Secretary of State on,

such matter or matters (whether or not falling within subsection (1)) as the Secretary of State may specify.

(3) The Commission shall not, however, carry out any review (or make any report) under this section with respect to any of the following matters, namely--

(a) the funding of political parties under section 97 of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998 or for the purpose of assisting members of the Northern Ireland Assembly connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties;

(b) the conduct of referendums held in pursuance of any provision made by or under an Act of the Scottish Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly or the conduct of any poll under section 36 of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998;

(4) Where any review carried out under this section relates to elections or referendums in Northern Ireland, the Commission shall consult the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland with respect to such elections or referendums.

(5) Each report made by the Commission under this section shall be published by them in such manner as they may determine.

(6) The elections and referendums to which this section applies are--

(a) in the case of elections--

(i) the elections mentioned in section 5(2),

(ii) local government elections in England or Wales, and

(iii) local elections in Northern Ireland; and

(b) in the case of referendums, referendums to which Part VII applies and those under Part II of the [2000 c. 22.] Local Government Act 2000.

7 Commission to be consulted on changes to electoral law

(1) Before making an instrument to which this section applies, the authority making the instrument shall consult the Commission.

(2) This section applies to an instrument containing--

(a) regulations under paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the [1978 c. 10.] European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 (conduct and questioning of European Parliamentary elections);

(b) an order under paragraph 4(1)(a) or (b) of that Schedule (designations of regional returning officers);

(c) an order under section 24(1)(c), (cc) or (e), 25(1)(b), 28(1)(b) or 35(2B) of the Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983 (designations of returning officers and acting returning officers);

(d) rules under section 36 of that Act (local government elections in England and Wales);

(e) regulations under that Act ("the 1983 Act"), or under the Representation of the [1985 c. 50.] People Act 1985, in relation to which section 201(2) of the 1983 Act (regulations which may not be made unless a draft of them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) has effect;

(f) an order under section 11 or 36(4) or (5) of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998 (conduct of elections to the National Assembly for Wales and of polls held by the Assembly);

(g) an order under section 12(1) or (6) of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998 (conduct of elections to the Scottish Parliament);

(h) an order under section 34(4) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998 (conduct of elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly);

(i) an order under section 17A(3) of the [1999 c. 29.] Greater London Authority Act 1999 (free delivery of election addresses at elections to the Greater London Authority).

(3) No draft Order shall be laid before Parliament under section 84(4) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998 (power to make provision with respect to elections in Northern Ireland) except after consultation with the Commission.

8 Powers with respect to elections exercisable only on Commission recommendation

(1) The function of giving directions under section 52(1) of the Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983 (directions as to discharge of registration duties) shall be exercisable only on, and in accordance with, a recommendation of the Commission.

(2) A function to which this subsection applies shall, unless the Secretary of State considers that the exercise of the function is expedient in consequence of changes in the value of money, be exercisable only on, and in accordance with, a recommendation of the Commission.

(3) Subsection (2) applies to the following functions, namely--

(a) the making of orders under section 76(2A) of that Act (limitation of expenses in connection with elections to the Greater London Authority);

(b) the making of orders under section 11 of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998 or section 12 of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998 so far as relating to the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(c) of the section (limitation of expenses in connection with elections to the National Assembly for Wales or Scottish Parliament);

(c) the making of regulations under paragraph 2(3A)(a) of Schedule 1 to the [1978 c. 10.] European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 (limitation of expenses in connection with elections to the European Parliament).

9 Involvement of Commission in changes in electoral procedures

(1) The Commission--

(a) may participate with any relevant local authority in the joint submission of proposals falling within section 10(1) of the Representation of the People Act 2000 (pilot schemes); and

(b) shall have such other functions in relation to--

(i) orders and schemes under section 10 of that Act, and

(ii) orders under section 11 of that Act (revision of procedures in the light of pilot schemes),

as are conferred on the Commission by those sections.

(2) Where any scheme under section 10 of that Act falls to be implemented following the approval by the Secretary of State of proposals jointly submitted by the Commission and a relevant local authority as mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above, the Commission may, in connection with the implementation of the scheme, provide that authority with such assistance (except financial assistance) as the Commission think fit.

(3) In this section "relevant local authority" has the same meaning as in section 10 of that Act.

10 Giving of advice and assistance

(1) The Commission may, at the request of any relevant body, provide the body with advice and assistance as respects any matter in which the Commission have skill and experience.

(2) The assistance which may be so provided includes (in particular) the secondment of members of the Commission's staff.

(3) The Commission may also--

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