Electoral Administration Bill — 7 Jun 2006 at 17:19

Resolved in the negative, and amendment disagreed to accordingly.

moved Amendment No. 2:

After Clause 12, insert the following new clause-

"REGISTRATION IN PURSUANCE OF SERVICE DECLARATION

(1) In section 15 of the 1983 Act (service declaration), after subsection (8) insert-

"(9) The Secretary of State may by order provide that, in relation to the persons mentioned in section 14(1)(a) and (d), subsection (2)(a) above has effect as if for the period of 12 months there were substituted such other period (not exceeding five years) as he thinks appropriate.

(10) The power to make an order under subsection (9) is exercisable by statutory instrument, which may contain such incidental or consequential provision as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.

(11) No order may be made under subsection (9) unless-

(a) the Secretary of State first consults the Electoral Commission, and

(b) a draft of the instrument containing the order is laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(12) If the period substituted by an order under subsection (9) is longer than the period for the time being in force, the longer period has effect in relation to any person who immediately before the order was made was entitled to remain in a register by virtue of subsection (2)."

(2) In section 59 of that Act (supplemental provisions as to members of forces and service voters), for subsection (3) substitute-

"(3) Arrangements must be made by the appropriate government department for securing that every person having a service qualification by virtue of paragraph (a) or (b) of section 14(1) above has (so far as circumstances permit) an effective opportunity of exercising from time to time as occasion may require the rights conferred on him by this Act in relation to-

(a) registration in a register of electors (and in particular in relation to the making and cancellation of service declarations);

(b) the making and cancellation of appointments of a proxy;

(c) voting in person, by post or by proxy.

(3A) Arrangements must be made by the appropriate government department for securing that such person receives such instructions as to the effect of this Act and any regulations made under it, and such other assistance, as may be reasonably sufficient in connection with the exercise by that person and any spouse or civil partner of that person of any rights conferred on them as mentioned above.

(3B) In subsections (3) and (3A) "the appropriate government department" means, in relation to members of the forces, the Ministry of Defence, and in relation to any other person means the government department under which he is employed in the employment giving the service qualification.

(3C) The Ministry of Defence must maintain, in relation to each member of the forces who provides information relating to his registration as an elector, a record of such information.

(3D) The Ministry of Defence must make arrangements to enable each member of the forces to update annually the information recorded under subsection (3C)."

(3) In section 59(4) of that Act, for "subsection (3)" substitute "subsections (3) and (3A)"."

<[i>Amendment No. 3, as an amendment to Amendment No. 2, not moved.]

On Question, amendment agreed to.

moved Amendment No. 4:

After Clause 13, insert the following new clause-

"REGISTRATION: PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS

(1) The 1983 Act is amended as follows.

(2) In section 10 (maintenance of registers: annual canvass), after subsection (4) insert-

"(4A) Subject to subsection (4B) below, the information to be obtained by the use of such a form for the purpose of a canvass shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons in relation to whom the form is completed, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(4B) The Chief Electoral Officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read."

(3) In section 10A (maintenance of registers: registration of electors)-

(a) after subsection (1B) insert-

"(1C) Subject to subsection (1D) below, an application for registration in respect of an address in England, Scotland or Wales shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons to whom the application relates, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(1D) The Chief Electoral Officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read.";

(b) in subsection (5), at the beginning insert "Subject to subsection (5A) below,";

(c) after subsection (5) insert-

"(5A) A person's name is to be removed from the register in respect of any address if-

(a) the form mentioned in section 10(4) above in respect of that address does not include all the information relating to him required by section 10(4A) above; or

(b) the registration officer determines that he is not satisfied with the information relating to that person which was included in that form pursuant to that requirement.";

(d) in subsection (6), after "above" insert "or his name is to be removed from it by virtue of subsection (5A) above,"; and

(e) in subsection (8), after "5" insert ", (5A)".

(4) In section 13A (alteration of registers), after subsection (2B) insert-

"(2C) Subject to subsection (2D) below, an application for registration under subsection (1)(a) above in respect of an address in the United Kingdom shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons to whom the application relates, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(2D) The Chief Electoral Officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read.""

On Question, Whether the said amendment (No. 4) shall be agreed to?

Their Lordships divided: Contents, 167; Not-Contents, 144.

Debate in Parliament | Source |