Page:Representation of the Peoples Act 1918 (ukpga 19180064).pdf/13

1918. into single constituencies, returning not less than three nor more than seven members, such of the areas fixed as constituencies in the Ninth Schedule to this Act as they may select, but in selecting those areas they shall have regard to the advisability of applying the principle of proportional representation both to town and country.

(c) The scheme so prepared by the Commissioners shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and if both Houses by resolution adopt the scheme, the scheme.shall, with any modifications or additions which may be agreed to by both Houses, take effect as if it were enacted in this Act, and the constituencies fixed under the scheme shall be substituted, so far as necessary, for the constituencies fixed under the Ninth Schedule to this Act.

(d) In any such constituency any contested election of the full number of members shall be according to the principle of proportional representation, each elector having one transferable vote as defined by this Act.

(e) His Majesty may by Order in Council make any adaptation of the provisions of this Act as to the machinery of registration or election which may appear to him to be necessary in consequence of the adoption of the scheme.

(3) His Majesty may by Order in Council frame regulations prescribing the method of voting, and transferring and counting votes, at any election, according to the principle of the transferable vote and for adapting the provisions of the, and any other Act relating to parliamentary elections thereto, and with respect to the duties of returning officers in connection therewith; and any such regulations shall have effect as if they were enacted in this Act.

(4) No thing contained in this Act shall, except as expressly provided therein, affect the method of conducting parliamentary elections in force at the time of the passing of this Act.

Polls to be held on one day at a general election, &c.

21.—(1) At a general election all polls shall be held on one day, and the day fixed for receiving nominations shall be the same in all constituencies, and accordingly the First Schedule to the, shall be modified as shown in Part I. of the Second Schedule to this Act.

In the case of a bye-election, the poll shall take place on such day as the returning officer may appoint, not being less than four or more than eight clear days after the day fixed for nomination, and the First Schedule to the Ballot Act, 1872, shall be modified accordingly.

(2) Official telegraphic information of the writ having been issued for a parliamentary election may be given in such cases and by such persons as may be directed by His Majesty in Council, and any steps for holding an election which may be taken on or after the receipt of the writ may be taken on or after the receipt of an official telegraphic intimation of the writ having been issued.