Representation of the People Act 1983 Remedial (Scotland) Order 2025: equality impact assessment
This equality impact assessment considers the impact on people as a result of the changes made in the Representation of the People Act 1983 Remedial (Scotland) Order 2025.
Representation of the People Act 1983 Remedial (Scotland) Order 2025
Summary of aims and desired outcomes of Policy:
The Representation of the People Act 1983 Remedial (Scotland) Order 2025 makes temporary modifications to law relating to Scottish parliamentary and local government elections in Scotland. Its aim is to remove an incompatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) arising from a ban on persons detained under specified orders and directions relating to criminal justice from voting. The temporary change to the law will enable some people who are detained under these orders and directions to vote in to Scottish parliamentary and local government elections in Scotland provided any conditions specified in the Order are met.
The provisions of this Order will be in place until the end of February 2030 when they will cease to apply as a result of a ‘sunset’ provision. The Government’s intention is that this issue will be consulted upon after the May 2026 election, and primary legislation brought forward to make a permanent change.
Directorate: Constitution
Division: Elections and Constitutional Projects
Team: Elections Team
Contact
Email: ElectionsTeam@gov.scot