4Application of Electoral Act 2004

4 Application of Electoral Act 2004

(1)  Subject to this Act, the provisions of the Electoral Act 2004 apply so far as they are applicable, with the necessary changes, to and in respect of a referendum as if it were an Assembly election.

(2)  Without limiting subsection (1) , for the purposes of the conduct of a referendum –

(a) a reference to polling day in the Electoral Act 2004 is to be construed as a reference to the day fixed by the writ for the conduct of the poll for a referendum; and

(b) a reference to an election in the Electoral Act 2004 is to be construed as a reference to a referendum; and

(c) a reference to electoral matter in the Electoral Act 2004 is to be construed as a reference to corresponding matter in relation to a referendum; and

(d) a reference to a ballot paper, ballot material, ballot box or other thing in the Electoral Act 2004 is to be construed as a reference to a ballot paper, ballot material, ballot box or corresponding thing in relation to a referendum; and

(e) a reference to disputing the validity of an election in the Electoral Act 2004 is to be construed as a reference to disputing the validity of a referendum.

(3)  For the purposes of a referendum –

(a) the vote of an elector is to be marked on the ballot paper in the manner specified by this Act; and

(b) a ballot paper is not to be rejected as informal except in accordance with this Act.