Definition of a Parliamentary Constituency, District Ward, Polling District, Polling Place and Polling Station
The area designated by the Boundary Commission which is represented by a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons. This cannot be changed by the review – it is the division of the constituency into polling districts and places that is under review.
The District is divided into areas known as “Wards” which are represented by District Ward Councillors. Ward boundaries cannot be changed by this review – it is the polling districts and polling places which make up these wards that are under review.
A polling district is the area created by the separation of a ward into smaller parts within which a polling place can be determined which is most suitable for the electors.
A polling place is the area or building in which the number of polling stations will be selected by the (Acting) Returning Officer.
A polling station is the room or area in which voting takes place. This must be located within the polling place that has been designated for the particular polling district. The number of polling stations to be accommodated within a polling place is the decision of the (Acting) Returning Officer for the election.