These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 8(1), 23(1) and (6) and 24(3) of, and paragraph 21(b) of Schedule 7 to, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (c. 16) in order to ensure that legislation concerning the European Parliamentary elections will remain in force long enough for the post-election processes attendant on the holding of the poll on 23 May 2019 to be completed.