Representation of the People Act 1983
The primary UK statute governing electoral law, voter registration, and election procedures including nomination rules.
Last refreshed: 10 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What election rules bind candidates and publishers on 7 May?
Timeline for Representation of the People Act 1983
Provided the Section 106 basis for the sole Osborn conviction and Section 66A exit-poll prohibition
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UK Local Elections 2026: Reed reverses postponement, government pays Reform UK costs- What is Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act?
- Section 106 makes it an offence to publish false statements about a candidate's personal character or conduct to affect their election.Source: background
- Can newspapers publish exit polls on election day UK?
- No. Section 66A bans publishing exit poll results before polls close at 22:00 on election day.Source: background
- What law governs UK local elections 2026?
- The Representation of the People Act 1983, alongside PPERA 2000 and the Elections Act 2022, sets the rules for all UK elections on 7 May 2026.Source: background
Background
The Representation of the People Act 1983 is the primary UK statute governing how elections are run, from voter registration and candidate nominations to the counting of votes. Its Section 106, which makes it an offence to publish false statements about a candidate's personal character, is a live compliance constraint during the 7 May 2026 elections, particularly around coverage of Robert Jenrick's Commons statements on legal advice.
The Act consolidated earlier electoral legislation dating back to the Reform Act 1832. It covers parliamentary and local government elections across England, Scotland, and Wales. Key provisions include rules on nomination papers, election expenses, the conduct of the poll, and Section 66A, which prohibits publishing exit poll results before polls close at 22:00 on election day.
The Act sits alongside the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) and the Elections Act 2022 to form the legal framework for every UK election, including the 5,013 English council seats, 129 Holyrood seats, and 96 Senedd seats being contested on 7 May 2026.