Running electoral registration - England

Application forms for the appointment of a proxy on the grounds of disability or blindness must be attested by:1  

• a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse treating the applicant for their disability or from whom the applicant is receiving care in respect of that disability
• a person registered as a member of a profession to which the Health Professions Order 2001 applies (i.e. arts therapists, chiropodists, clinical scientists, dieticians, medical laboratory technicians, occupational therapists, orthoptists, paramedics, physiotherapists, prosthetists and orthotists, radiographers, and speech and language therapists) treating the applicant for their condition or from whom the applicant is receiving care in respect of that disability
• a registered dentist, dispensing optician, optometrist, pharmaceutical chemist, osteopath or chiropractor treating the applicant for their disability or from whom the applicant is receiving care in respect of that disability
• the manager of a care home service registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 
• the warden of residential premises provided for persons of pensionable age or disabled persons, where the applicant states that they reside in such an establishment
• the manager (or their authorised representative) of a hospital registered in accordance with Section 145 of the Mental Health Act 1983 
• a registered social worker who has arranged care or assistance for the applicant
• a registered chartered psychologist who is treating the applicant for their condition or from whom the applicant is receiving care in respect of that disability

In most circumstances, the person attesting the form must provide their name and address.2 The only exception is where an application is made by an elector detained in a hospital under Section 145 of the Mental Health Act 1983.3 In this case, there is no need for the attestor to provide their address. 

In all cases, the attestor must state:4  

• the post or office that qualifies them to attest the application
• that to the best of their knowledge and belief the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to go to the polling station or to vote there unaided by reason of their disability
• that the medical condition or disability is likely to continue either indefinitely or for a period specified by the attestor

Where an application is made by an elector detained in a hospital under Section 145 of the Mental Health Act 1983, the person attesting the application must also state the statutory provision under which the applicant is liable to be detained.5