§ Mr. Lilleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1985 will come into force.
§ Mr. HurdThe relevant provisions of the Act come into force on 1 January for the purpose of elections held on or after 16 February 1987. From 1 January anyone who cannot reasonably be expected to vote in person at a particular election will be able to apply to the electoral registration officer to vote by post or proxy. This means that holidaymakers and people away on business trips who previously were unable to vote will now be able to do so. Application forms and leaflets explaining the new provisions will be available from electoral registration officers. Application forms will have to be completed and returned to the electoral registration officer not later than noon on the 13th working day before polling day. But it will be possible for people taken ill shortly before polling day to apply no later than noon on the sixth working day before the poll.