
2025 No. 354
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE
The Absent Voting at Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections (Signature Refresh) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2025
Made 18th November 2025
Coming into force 1st December 2025
The Scottish Ministers make the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3(1)(a) and 16(2) and (3) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 and sections 12(1)(a) and 113(2), (3) and (5) of the Scotland Act 1998, and all other powers enabling them to do so.In accordance with section 7(1) and (2)(g) and (j) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the Scottish Ministers have consulted the Electoral Commission.In accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of schedule 7 of the Scotland Act 1998, a draft of this Order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament.
Citation and commencement
1 
This Order may be cited as the Absent Voting at Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections (Signature Refresh) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2025 and comes into force on 1 December 2025.
Amendment of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001
2 
After regulation 60A (requirement to provide fresh signatures at intervals) of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 insert—“
Disapplication of January 2026 fresh signatures requirement
60AA 
Where a registration officer would be required to send a person, who remains entitled to vote by post (whether as elector or proxy) or by proxy at local government elections in Scotland, a notice under regulation 60A(1) by 31 January 2026—
(a) that requirement does not apply (and the registration officer must send a notice under regulation 60A(1) by 31 January 2027),
(b) the absent voter does not, for that reason, cease to be entitled to vote by post or by proxy for a failure to provide a fresh signature, and
(c) no determination need be made, for that reason, under regulation 60A(6).”.
Amendment of the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2015
3 
After paragraph 14 of schedule 3 (requirement to provide fresh signatures at five yearly intervals) of the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2015 insert—“
Disapplication of January 2026 fresh signatures requirement
14A 
Where an ERO would be required to send a person a notice under paragraph 14(1) by 31 January 2026—
(a) that requirement does not apply (and the ERO must send a notice under paragraph 14(1) by 31 January 2027),
(b) the absent voter does not, for that reason, cease to be entitled to vote by post or by proxy for a failure to provide a fresh signature, and
(c) no determination need be made, for that reason, under paragraph 14(6).”.
GRAEME DEY
Authorised to sign by the Scottish Ministers
St Andrew's House
Edinburgh
18th November 2025