Long title | An Act to disqualify certain persons for election to the House of Commons; to make changes in the timetable for parliamentary elections; and for connected purposes. |
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Citation | 1981 c. 34 |
Territorial extent | United Kingdom |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 2 July 1981 |
Status: Amended
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Text of the Representation of the People Act 1981 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk |
The Representation of the People Act 1981 (c. 34) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
It provides:
The Act was passed following the election to the Westminster Parliament of a hunger-striker, Bobby Sands, in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election, April 1981, while he was serving a long term of imprisonment.
As a result of the Act, following the death of Bobby Sands, other prisoners on hunger strike were unable to stand in the second 1981 by-election in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.