Item 15 on our agenda this afternoon is the Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) (Amendment) Order 2020, and I call on the Counsel General to move the motion—Jeremy Miles. 

Motion NDM7506 Rebecca Evans

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) (Amendment) Order 2020 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 8 December 2020. 

Motion moved.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The Welsh Government wants to take all steps to ensure that the Senedd elections take place in May of next year, despite the ongoing challenges arising as a result of the COVID pandemic. That is why we are introducing this enabling legislation for that election. 

The Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) (Amendment) Order is the next step in that process. The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007 sets out detailed rules for the conduct of elections to the Senedd, and includes provision for legal challenge. Ahead of each Senedd election, the conduct Order is reviewed and amended to take account of any policy or legislative change since the last election. The Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) (Amendment) Order 2020 outlines amendments to the 2007 Order in readiness for next year's Senedd general election. 

I would like to thank the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for their consideration of this Order, and for their subsequent report. The Order was withdrawn and relaid in response to the technical points highlighted by the committee. I am grateful for their prompt consideration, which allowed us to continue to meet our timetable. 

The amendments to the Order were subject to a 12-week public consultation, and we have worked closely on them with the Electoral Commission. The consultation ended in September of this year. The consultation included, amongst other things, the implementation of changes arising as a result of the name change of the legislature and the extension of the franchise and disqualification provisions introduced by the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020. It also proposed giving candidates the option of not publishing their home address at Senedd elections. In addition to these provisions, we made further changes following the consultation. These were allowing political parties to use the term 'Welsh' or 'Cymru' on nomination and ballot papers, replacing personal fees for returning officers with payments to electoral administration teams, and ensuring that information about 14 and 15-year-old attainers is protected. I commend the Order to the Senedd. 

Thank you. I have no Members who wish to speak in this debate. Therefore, the proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? [Objection.] Object, therefore we defer voting under this item until voting time. 

Voting deferred until voting time.

We will now suspend proceedings to allow for changeovers in the Chamber. If you're leaving the Chamber, please do so promptly and the bell will be rung two minutes before proceedings will restart. Thank you.

Plenary was suspended at 17:00.

The Senedd reconvened at 17:13, with the Deputy Presiding Officer in the Chair.