Voting rights for detained patients
In general, detained and informal psychiatric in-patients are entitled to vote. However, under s3A Representation of the People Act 1983, certain offenders detained in mental hospitals are disenfranchised: these are those detained, or unlawfully at large, under s37, s38, s44, s51(5), s45A, s46 (now repealed) or s47 MHA; s5(2)(a) CPIA 1964; and s6(2)(a) or 14(2)(a) Criminal Appeal Act 1968. Those remanded in custody under s35, s36 or s48 are not disenfranchised. Further detail can be found in the section itself, including the provisions relevant to Scotland and Northern Ireland. Guidance on eligibility and registration can be found in the Care Quality Commission's document "Voting rights for detained patients".
Related pages
MHA 1983 s141 - Members of Parliament suffering from mental illness
External links
CQC: Voting rights for detained patients - reviewed October 2008