§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the powers political parties and individual candidates have to put slogans on the ballot paper; and whether each of these is agreed in advance by(a) the Electoral Commission and (b) the returning officer. [179304]
§ Mr. LeslieA registered political party can describe itself on a ballot paper using up to six words. The description can be either the party name registered with the Electoral Commission or a variation of it, providing that this is properly authorised by the party's nominating officer and approved by the returning officer. The returning officer can refuse to allow a nomination using a variation of a party's registered name if in his or her view it would lead voters to associate the candidate with another registered party.