I hope that the Committee will find it useful if I go through some of the main points. As provided by the Good Friday agreement and the Elections Act, the elections in June will be by proportional representation, by the single transferrable vote, with each of the 18 Westminster constituencies returning six members. The order includes the usual provisions on how STV elections are to be conducted, which needs no explanation to those hon. Members who represent Northern Ireland seats or those who take an interest in Northern Ireland politics. What is new is that vacancies in the assembly will be filled by substitution.
Substitution is simple.
At the same time as delivering their consent to nomination, election candidates will be invited to submit to the chief electoral officer a list of up to six substitutes, in order of preference. In the event of a vacancy, the CEO will contact the names on the list in order of preference until one declares him or herself willing and able to take up the seat. In the highly unlikely event of none of the six being unable so to do, or if the original member has not submitted a list of substitutes, the vacancy will be filled through a by-election. We have consulted widely and the overwhelming view of the parties in Northern Ireland is that substitution is the fairest and the most widely supported option. I am aware that the hon.