Political Parties and Elections Bill

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House of Commons

Session 2007 - 08
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Political Parties and Elections Bill

Political Parties and Elections Bill

EXPLANATORY NOTES
Explanatory notes to the Bill, prepared by the Ministry of Justice, are published
separately as Bill 141—EN.
EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Secretary Jack Straw has made the following statement under section 19(1)(a) of the
Human Rights Act 1998:
In my view the provisions of the Political Parties and Elections Bill are compatible
with the Convention rights.

Bill 141
54/3

Political Parties and Elections Bill

Contents
Functions of Electoral Commission
1
Compliance with controls imposed by the 2000 Act etc
2
Investigatory powers of Commission
3
Civil sanctions
Electoral Commissioners etc
4
Selection of prospective Electoral Commissioners and Commission chairman
5
Four Electoral Commissioners to be persons put forward by parties
6
Number of Electoral Commissioners
7
Political restrictions on Electoral Commissioners and staff
Political donations and expenditure
8
Declaration as to source of donation
9
Defence to charge of failing to return donation from impermissible donor
10
Election expenses incurred for person not yet a candidate
11
Election expenses: guidance by Commission
Elections
12
Election falling within canvass period
13
Local returning officers for elections to the European Parliament
General
14
Interpretation
15
Amendments and repeals
16
Transitional provision
17
Money
18
Extent
19
Commencement
20
Short title

Bill 141
54/3

Political Parties and Elections Bill
ii

Schedule 1   —
Investigatory powers of Commission: Schedule to be inserted
into the 2000 Act
Schedule 2   —
Civil sanctions: Schedule to be inserted into the 2000 Act
Schedule 3   —
Declaration as to source of donation
Schedule 4   —
Minor and consequential amendments
Schedule 5   —
Repeals

© Parliamentary copyright 2008
Revised 17 July 2008