Running electoral registration - Scotland

Online applications

An applicant will not be able to submit an incomplete proxy vote application online. 

The only exceptions are:

• where an applicant is unable to provide their NINo and they provide a statement of the reasons why as part of the application
• where an applicant is unable to provide their signature and they indicate that they will require a waiver

Where an applicant is unable to provide their NINo and they provide a statement of the reasons why, you must try to verify the applicant’s identity using the exceptions process.1  

Paper applications

You may receive paper proxy vote applications which do not contain all the required information.
You are not able to determine a proxy vote application if any of the required information is missing or incomplete. 

Where an applicant is unable to provide their NINo, and they provide a statement of the reasons why, the application is not rejected as incomplete and you must verify the identity of the applicant using the exceptions process.2  

If no explanations are provided as to why the required information is missing from a paper application you should, where possible, make enquiries to obtain the missing information. If the missing information is not submitted, you must reject the application. You should contact the applicant and explain why the application has been rejected and how to make a fresh application. If the application is made in the run up to a poll, you should explain that a new application must be received by 5pm, 6 working days before the poll, for it to be processed in time for that poll.

Unable to supply a signature or consistent signature

Where an applicant is unable to provide their signature, they should indicate that they will require a waiver and you should send out a signature waiver application for completion.