(1) In section 2 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (“ the 1983 Act ”) (local government electors)—
(a) in subsection (1)(d), after “over” insert “ , except in Scotland (see subsection (1A)) ” ,
(b) after subsection (1) insert— “ (1A) In Scotland, voting age is 16 years or over. ” .
(2) The amendments made by subsection (1) have effect for the purposes of—
(a) an election for membership of the Scottish Parliament (by virtue of section 11 of the Scotland Act 1998) at which the poll is to be held on or after 5 April 2016,
(b) a local government election at which the poll is to be held on or after 5 May 2016,
(c) any other relevant election at which the poll is to be held on or after 5 May 2016.
(3) In subsection (2)(c), “ other relevant election ” means an election (other than one mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b)) to which section 2 of the 1983 Act applies for the purpose of determining entitlement to vote at the election.
Section 2
2. Annual canvass S
(1) In section 9A of the 1983 Act (registration officers: duty to take necessary steps), after subsection (2) insert— “ (2A) In relation to the registration of local government electors in Scotland, subsections (1) and (2)(b) do not require a registration officer to make house to house inquiries in relation to any person under the age of 16. ” .
(2) In regulation 32ZA of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (“ the 2001 Regulations ”) (canvass form)—
(a) after paragraph (3) insert— “ (3A) In relation to the registration of local government electors, the canvass form in paragraph (2) must also—
(a) require the full name and nationality of each person aged 14 or 15 who is eligible to register and is residing at the address to which the form is given, and
(b) in relation to any such person named in the form, require the person's date of birth to be included. ” ,
(b) after paragraph (5) insert— “ (5A) In relation to the registration of local government electors, the registration officer must not, under paragraph (5), print on the form the date of birth of any person aged under 16. ” .
