Scottish Independence Referendum Bill

A bill toto hold a referendum in Scotland on a question about the independence of Scotland.
Bill ID B094
Author(s) The Rt Hon. Sir Nicholas Clack KCTL KOBC MR PC MP, 1st Baron of Milton Keynes
Amended by TBC
First reading 2021 September 9
Royal assent TBC
Commencement TBC
Affected legislation N/A

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1 Referendum on Scottish independence

  1. A referendum is to be held in Scotland on a question about the independence of Scotland.
  2. The question is— "Should Scotland be an independent country?".
  3. The ballot paper to be used for the purpose of the referendum is to be printed—
    1. in the form set out in the schedule, and
    2. according to the directions set out in the schedule
  4. The date on which the poll at the referendum is to be held is to be decided by the Secretary of State for Scotland, in cooperation with the Scottish Parliament.

2 Interpretation and other provisions

  1. References in this Act to “the referendum” are to the referendum to be held under section 1.
  2. Should a referendum take place on the topic of the European Union before the referendum, the referendum shall not be held within three months of said referendum.

3 Short title, commencement and extent

  1. This Act may be cited as the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2021.
  2. This Act comes into force on the day after royal assent.
  3. This Act extends to Scotland.

Schedule

Form of Ballot Paper

Front of ballot paper

Back of ballot paper

[Unique identifying number]

Area of [insert council name]

Referendum on [date]

Directions as to printing the ballot paper

  1. Nothing is to be printed on the ballot paper except as set out in this schedule.
  2. So far as practicable, the instructions specified in paragraphs 3 to 6 must be observed in printing the ballot paper.
  3. Words printed on the ballot paper must be printed— a. in a sans serif font (for example, Arial), and b. in characters of at least 14 point size
  4. The direction to “VOTE (X) ONLY ONCE” and the “YES” and “NO” options must be printed in bold capital letters.
  5. The ballot paper must be at least 180mm wide.
  6. The voting boxes where the vote is to be marked must each be 21mm square.
← BACK TO INDEX