Running electoral registration - Scotland

You must set the date of a hearing to take place no earlier than three working days and no later than seven working days after the date of the notice of the hearing.1  

The applicant, or, in the case of an objection, the objector and the applicant or elector subject to an objection, are entitled to attend the hearing, as is anyone who appears to you to be interested.2  

Any person entitled to attend may do so in person, or make a written representation or have someone else attend on their behalf.3 You should ensure that as many relevant parties as possible have the opportunity to attend, in particular the applicant or, in the case of an objection, the objector and the applicant or elector subject to an objection.

You may require that evidence be given on oath or affirmation, because one of the people entitled to appear requests it, or because you think it is desirable.4 While you may administer the oath yourself, you should seek advice from your legal team to ensure that the oath is in the correct form and that the appropriate religious and non-religious options are available.

If the persons who are entitled to attend tell you they cannot attend a hearing on the date you have specified, you should attempt to rearrange the hearing if possible within the period allowed.

You may still continue to have the hearing and determine the application/objection at the hearing even if the objector, the applicant or the elector subject to an objection fail to attend. You must consider any written evidence, such as a letter or form, supplied by the applicant, elector or objector in their absence.