After considering all of the representations, the local authority must decide on the most appropriate polling districts and polling places, which must be approved by the council.
If the review results in the alteration of one or more polling districts, the ERO must make the necessary alterations to the electoral register. Depending on the timing of the review and the extent of the changes, the ERO has three options to ensure the register reflects the new polling districts:
update the register on publication of the revised register following the conclusion of the annual canvass
re-publish a revised register at another point in the year
publish a notice of alteration
Where the ERO has decided to revise their register by republishing it to incorporate the changes, the law requires that they publish a notice 14 calendar days before the publication of the revised version of the register in a local newspaper, at their office and at some other conspicuous place or places in the area.
The legislation does not allow for a part publication of the register – a revised register can only be published for the whole of the local authority area.
Any alteration is effective on the date on which the ERO publishes a notice stating that the alterations have been made, which should be published at the same time as the register is revised or a notice of alteration published, as appropriate.