In the last few weeks the Electoral Commission has produced guidance for both the General and Local elections in 2010
Guidance for candidates and agents for both the local and general elections are now available to download:1. Guidance for candidates and agents: local government elections in England 6 May 2010 (PDF)
2. Guidance for candidates and agents: 2010 UK Parliamentary general elections in Great Britain (PDF)
In addition the Electoral Commission has completely revised the recommended forms for election expenses for the General Election for 2010. The 2009 legislation now requires a return for expenditure from 1/1/10 to the dissolution (this may not be the same date as the Prime Minister announces that the General Election is a called) – the long campaign period.
The forms are based on those used at the local elections in recent years and are down-loadable Excel spreadsheets. In a new departure they now include calculated summary totals on the main page that will automatically update when you enter on the subsequent detail pages. Some may choose to use these sheets before the elections as a way to budget and kept track of expenditure. It also has formulas to help you calculate your limits as well as instructions on how to use them .
1. Return of a candidate’s election expenditure (long campaign): UK Parliamentary general election (XLS)
2. Return of a candidate’s election expenditure (short campaign): UK Parliamentary general election (XLS)