Last amended by Elections Act 2022 in 2022. Introduced voter ID requirements, reformed postal voting rules, changed role of Electoral Commission, and modified overseas voter eligibility.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Representation of the People Act 1983 is the principal statute governing UK parliamentary and local elections. It sets out the franchise (who can vote), registration, conduct of elections, election offences, and the election petition process for challenging results. Substantially amended many times, it remains the foundation of electoral law.
Key Points
- Defines the franchise for parliamentary and local elections (Part I)
- Establishes voter registration system and electoral register (Part I)
- Sets out conduct of elections: nomination, polling, counting (Part II)
- Creates election offences: corrupt practices and illegal practices (Part II)
- Provides for election petitions to challenge results in Election Court (Part III)
- Candidates' expenses limits and declaration requirements (Part II)
- Establishes who may vote in UK elections
- Governs election conduct and procedures
- Creates electoral offences including personation and bribery
- Provides for election petitions to challenge results
- Voter ID requirement (since 2023)
- Establishes the franchise — who is entitled to vote in parliamentary and local elections
- Provides for the electoral register and the duties of Electoral Registration Officers
- Regulates the conduct of elections: nomination of candidates, polling, and counting
- Sets limits on election expenses and requires returns to be made
- Creates electoral offences: personation (s.60), undue influence (s.115), bribery (s.113), making false statements about candidates (s.106)
- Provides for election petitions — the only way to challenge the result of an election (Part III)
- Extensively amended by the Elections Act 2022 (voter ID requirements, postal vote changes)
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2022 — Elections Act 2022
Introduced voter ID requirements, reformed postal voting rules, changed role of Electoral Commission, and modified overseas voter eligibility.
2000 — Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
Established the Electoral Commission and regulated party funding.
2022 — Elections Act 2022
Introduced voter ID, reformed postal and proxy voting, and changed the Electoral Commission's framework.
2000 — Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
Created the Electoral Commission and introduced party registration and donation controls.
2022 — Elections Act 2022
Introduced photographic voter ID, reformed postal voting, and changed the role of the Electoral Commission.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is allowed to vote in UK parliamentary and local elections?
- To vote in a parliamentary election, you must be registered in the register of parliamentary electors on the polling date and not be subject to legal incapacity. You must also be a Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or, in certain elections, an EU citizen. For local government elections, you must be registered in the local government electors register and not be subject to legal incapacity.
- Do I need to show ID to vote in UK elections?
- Since 2023, under the Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended by the Elections Act 2022, you must show approved photographic identification before being issued a ballot paper. This requirement applies to all voters in UK elections. If you do not have approved ID, you may need to apply for a free voter ID card or use other accepted forms of identification.
- How can I challenge the result of an election?
- Election petitions are the only legal method to challenge the result of an election. They are governed by Part III of the Representation of the People Act 1983. If a petition is successful, the Election Court can declare the result void or alter the outcome. This process allows for judicial review of election conduct and results.
- What is the main law governing UK elections?
- The Representation of the People Act 1983 is the principal statute governing UK parliamentary and local elections. It covers who can vote, voter registration, election conduct, election offences, and the process for challenging results. It has been substantially amended over time, most recently by the Elections Act 2022, which introduced voter ID requirements and reformed postal voting rules.