204. Section 26 of the Act of 2001 is amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (2):

“(2A) Notwithstanding subsection (2), where the Minister is of the opinion that due to local circumstances concerning an island, and taking account of advice from the returning officer (within the meaning of the Local Elections Regulations 1995) for the election in the local electoral area in which the island is situated, it would be unnecessary or impracticable for the poll to continue on the island for the period fixed by the Minister by order under subsection (2), the Minister may by order, not later than the seventh day before polling day, shorten the period of the poll on the island.

(2B) A poll the subject of an order under subsection (2A) shall continue on the island for not less than 4 hours.

(2C) In subsection (2A), ‘local circumstances’ includes:

(a) the number of local government electors on the island;

(b) the distance between a polling station on the island and the place appointed for the counting of votes under article 74(2) of the Local Elections Regulations 1995;

(c) advance forecasts of stress of weather;

(d) foreseen transport difficulties.”.