Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025
| Act of the Scottish Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make further provision about eligibility of elected representatives in the Scottish Parliament and in local government and to reform certain aspects of the law relating to Scottish parliamentary and local government elections. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2025 asp 4 |
| Introduced by | Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 29 January 2025 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through the Parliament | |
| Text of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (asp 4) is an act of the Scottish Parliament which made several reforms to the administration of devolved Scottish elections.
Provisions
The act expanded candidacy eligibility and eligibility to vote to all of those with limited and indefinite right to remain.[1]
The act makes several changes to campaign rules around ballots in order to improve "improve fairness, transparency, and controls against foreign spending".[2]
The presiding officer can delay elections by an additional 8 weeks, 4 weeks longer than before.[1]
The act prevents anyone found guilty of electoral intimidation or a range of criminal offences from standing.[3]
Automated voter registration pilots are allowed under the act.[3]
Under amendments sought by Conservative MSP Graham Simpson during the legislative passage, after the announcement by Scottish National Party MP Stephen Flynn of his intentions to be a candidate in the next Scottish Parliament election, the act allows the Scottish government to introduce regulations relating to banning dual mandates after consultation.[4] In January 2025, the consultation on banning dual mandates was launched.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill" (PDF). Law Society of Scotland. 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Meighan, Craig (18 June 2024). "Call for more clarity on Government's 'significant' Scottish election reforms". STV News. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Monitor 89 / March 2025" (PDF). Constitution Unit, University College London. 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Cochrane, Angus (18 November 2024). "Opposition MSPs back move to ban 'double jobbing'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Views sought on dual mandates consultation". Scottish Legal News. 21 January 2025. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.