The Returning Officers' Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1987

• Citation: S.I. 1987/900
• Sections: 5

Section 1

These Regulations may be cited as the Returning Officers' Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1987, and shall come into force on 20th May 1987.

Section 2

The maximum charges to which the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland as the returing officer responsible for the conduct of a parliamentary election in Northern Ireland shall be entitled are, in respect of expenses incurred by him, the amounts specified in the Schedule to these Regulations.

Section 3

The Returning Officer’s Expenses (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1984 are hereby revoked.

I

In a contested election—

(1) For the presiding officer at each polling station (to include all expenses, other than any travelling and overnight subsistence expenses specified in this part of the Schedule)

(2)

(a) For one clerk at each polling station

(b) For additional clerks at a polling station to which there are assigned more than 700 entries in the register of electors to be used at the election (as first published), such additional clerks not to exceed one clerk for every 600 entries, or fraction thereof in excess of 700—

q27For each additional clerk (whole-time or part-time as the case may require) an amount within a range having a maximum of

(3) —

(I) For the employment of persons in connection with the manual preparations and issue of the official poll cards, including charges for superannuation contributions where payable—

(a) For the initial preparation of the cards—

q27For every 100 cards or fraction thereof

(b) For each revision—

(i) For every 100 cards or fraction thereof prepared on the initial preparation

(ii) For every 100 new cards or fraction thereof prepared

Provided that, if the number of new cards does not exceed 15 per cent of the number prepared on the initial preparation, the total allowances for the revision shall be increased by 5 per cent.

(c) For the revision of a particular section of the cards (other than such a revision carried out in the course of a revision of the whole)—

q27For every 100 new cards or fraction thereof prepared

(d) For the completion and issue of the cards on the occasion of an election—

For every 100 cards or fraction thereof issued (or withdrawn in respect of voters entitled to vote by post)

(II) For the employment of persons in connection with the issue of official poll cards which have not been prepared manually, including charges for superannuation contributions where payable—

For every 100 cards or fraction thereof

Provided that the maximum amount which a returning officer shall be entitled to charge under this paragraph shall be the total of the sums which he would be entitled to charge for such of the stages of work represented by items (I)(a), (b), (c) and (d) and ( II ) above as he has carried out, notwithstanding that the amount disbursed by him for any particular stage is greater than the amount specified above as the maximum amount for that stage; provided also that the maximum amount which a returning officer shall be entitled to charge under this paragraph shall be increased by any amount by which the maximum amount which he is entitled to charge under paragraph 4 below exceeds the amount disbursed by him for the purposes described in that paragraph.

(4) For the employment of persons in connection with the count and the ballot papers of electors entitled to vote by post, and for all clerical and other assistance employed by the returning officer or deputy returning officer for the purposes of the election, including charges for day subsistence expenses and for superannuation contributions where payable—

(a) If the number of entries in the register of electors to be used at the election (as first published) in the constituency does not exceed 50,000

For every additional 1,000 entries or fraction thereof over 50,000

(b) For every 100 persons or fraction thereof entitled to vote by post

(c) In the event of a recount of the votes being ordered—

q27For each recount

Provided that the maximum amount which a returning officer shall be entitled to charge under this paragraph shall be increased by any amount by which the maximum amount which he is entitled to charge under paragraph 3 above exceeds the amount disbursed by him for the purposes described in that paragraph.

(5) Returning or deputy returning officers' travelling and overnight subsistence expenses where necessary to make arrangements for the poll or otherwise in connection with the conduct of the election.

(6) Travelling and overnight subsistence expenses of presiding officers and poll clerks (including any expenses incurred in conveying the ballot boxes in those cases in which presiding officers or poll clerks are responsible for the transport of the boxes to or from the polling stations).

(7) Travelling and overnight subsistence expenses of clerical and other assistants employed by the returning officer or deputy returning officer where necessary to make arrangements for the poll or otherwise in connection with the conduct of the election.

(8) For printing and providing ballot papers.

(9) For printing and providing official poll cards.

(10) For printing and providing notices and other documents required in and about the election or poll and costs of publishing the same.

(11) For the renting of any building or room for the purpose of the election and for expenses of heating, lighting and cleaning any building or room for such purposes.

(12) For adapting and fitting up any building or room for the purpose of the election (including the provision of voting compartments and any necessary furniture) and restoring it to fit condition for its normal use.

(13) For providing ballot boxes, including any repairs.

(14) For the conveyance of ballot boxes and ballot papers in those cases where the cost of transport is not included in the travelling expenses of presiding officers and poll clerks under paragraph I.6 of this Schedule.

(15) For every stamping instrument required to be purchased, hired, altered or repaired.

(16) For copies of the register.

(17) For general stationery, postage, telephone calls, bank charges and miscellaneous expenses.

II

In an uncontested election for all necessary preliminary work the amount shall be the same as the amount specified for corresponding work in a contested election, except that for all clerical and other assistance employed by the returning officer for the purposes of the election, including charges for day subsistence expenses and for superannuation contributions where payable, the amount shall be not more than one-quarter of the amount specified under paragraph I.4 of this Schedule.