Local Elections (Petitions and Disqualifications) Act, 1974

Interpretation.

1.—(1) In this Act—

“the Act of 1941” means the Local Government Act, 1941 ;

“the Act of 1963” means the Electoral Act, 1963 ;

“clerk” means the town clerk of the corporation of a county or other borough, the council of an urban district or the commissioners of a town;

“costs” includes charges and expenses;

“county”, except where the context otherwise requires, includes a county borough;

“electoral offences” means offences under any statute or statutory instrument relating to local elections;

“local authority” means the council of a county, the corporation of a county or other borough, the council of an urban district, or the commissioners of a town;

“local election” means an election held pursuant to section 81 of the S.I Act of 1963 or a new election within the meaning of Part IV of the Act of 1941;

“local electoral area” means the area or any of the areas (as may be appropriate) by reference to which a local election is held;

“member” includes a lord mayor, mayor, chairman, vice-chairman, alderman, councillor and a commissioner of a town;

“the Minister”, except where the context otherwise requires, means the Minister for Local Government;

“petition” means a petition presented under this Act;

“returning officer” means the secretary or clerk of a local authority and includes a person appointed by such secretary or clerk to act as a deputy returning officer for the election of members of such authority;

“secretary” means the secretary of a county council.

(2) Any reference in this Act to any other enactment shall, except so far as the context otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or applied by or under any other enactment (including this Act).

(3) Any reference in this Act to a meeting or member of a local authority shall, where the local authority in question is the corporation of a county or other borough, be construed as a reference to a meeting or member of the council established by law in respect of such county or other borough.

(4) Any reference in this Act to a particular officer shall be construed as including a reference to any person duly appointed either as deputy for such officer or to act in the place of such officer during his absence or incapacity or during a vacancy in his office.