Schedule 2

AMENDMENTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS RULES

1 The Parliamentary Elections Rules set out in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 shall be amended as follows.
2 After rule 6 (nomination of candidates) insert-
"Nomination papers: name of registered political party
6A (1) A nomination paper may not include a description of a candidate which is likely to lead voters to associate the candidate with a registered political party unless the description is authorised by a certificate-
(a) issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of the party,and
(b) received by the returning officer at some time during the period for delivery of nomination papers set out in the Table in rule 1.
(2) A person shall be guilty of a corrupt practice if he fraudulently purports to be authorised to issue a certificate under paragraph (1) on behalf of a registered political party's nominating officer.
(3) In the application of this rule in relation to an election "registered political party"
means a party which was registered under the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 at the time by which the notice of election is required to be published by virtue of rule 1."
3 (1) Rule 12 (decisions as to validity of nomination papers) is amended as follows.
(2) At the beginning of paragraph (3) insert "Subject to paragraph (3A),".
(3) After paragraph (3) insert-
"(3A) If in the returning officer's opinion a nomination paper breaks rule 6A(1),he shall give a decision to that effect as soon as practicable after the close of the period for delivery of nomination papers set out in the Table in rule 1."