Finances: Making a Budget and Keeping it Updated
Make a budget and keep it updated The agent should make sure every campaign has a proper budget, because: The agent is personally liable for…
When do Election Expenses Start to Count?
When do the expenses start to count? England Expenses must be accounted for from the day after the date that the candidate is deemed to…
Election Expenses Limits
Different limits are set for each type of election. The format is a flat rate, plus an amount per elector except for parliamentary by-elections. The…
Is my parliamentary constituency a “County” or a “Burgh/Borough” seat?
In UK parliamentary elections the limit on election expenditure varies according to whether your constituency is deemed to be a “County” or “Borough” seat. Do…
Completing Your Local Election Expense Return
Expenses Returns for Local Elections We all know that they have to be done but getting round to the election expenses is most activists least…
How to Process Donations
How to process donations The agent must be handed all donations and donation details, which should go through the agent’s account. The agent will then…
Permissible Donors
Permissible donors A candidate or her agent must accept donations only from permissible donors. These are: an individual registered in a UK electoral register, a…
What Counts as a Donation Under the Political Parties, Elections, and Referendums Act (PPERA)
What counts as a donation under PPERA? The controls refer to donations of more than £50 to a candidate or her election agent for the…
Handing in Your Election Return
Guidance from 2015 is available here. Handing in your election return Keep a copy of your returns. This is useful both in case of queries…
Timetable for Election Returns
Timetable for election returns After the result is declared: Within 14 days – Candidate must submit a statement of her personal expenses to the agent.…
Finances: The Agent’s Role in the Eyes of the Law
The agent’s role in the eyes of the law Control of election expenses is seen in law as one of the key responsibilities of the…
Availability of the Electoral Register
Availability of the register The party is legally entitled to a copy of the register and this entitlement is devolved to the DNO (15.1 Delegated…
Format of the Electoral Register
Format of the register Order of electors Registers must be divided into polling districts, with a letter code given to each polling district and then…
The Electoral Register: Who Can Register to Vote?
Who can register to vote? To join the electoral register someone must be 17 or over (but they cannot vote until they are 18) and…
Third party expenditure
Aside from what parties and candidates can do, individuals or groups that aim to promote or disparage electoral candidates, at either general elections or local…
Individual Electoral Registration
What is Individual Electoral Registration (IER)? Individual Electoral Registration replaces the old system of household registration – where one person in each household was meant…
What Does Registration of Political Parties Mean?
What does registration mean? All political parties have to be registered with the Electoral Commission. There is a wide range of rules that parties have…
Terms of Office if Elected
Terms of office if elected A councillor serves from formal acceptance of office to four days after polling day at the end of the four…
Withdrawal or Death of a Candidate
Withdrawal or death of a candidate After nominations there is a short period of time in which candidates may withdraw (consult the official timetable to…
Nomination: The Returning Officer’s Powers
The Returning Officer’s powers Having the Returning Officer or her staff check the nomination paper on submission is highly recommended, and you can generally be…
Deadlines and Delivery of Nomination Paperwork
Deadlines and delivery of the nomination paperwork The deadline for delivery of nomination papers is absolute, and is indicated in the timetable issued by the…
Nomination and the Deposit
Deposit There is a requirement for a deposit to accompany the nomination for General Elections but not local elections. Varying different rules apply to Mayoral,…
Candidate’s Consent to Nomination
Candidate’s consent to nomination This must be witnessed and signed by the candidate. The Returning Officer has no discretion to accept a fax or email.…
Filling in the Nomination Paper
Filling in the local election nomination paper It is a legal requirement to fill in the top of the nomination paper before getting signatures of…
Inspection by the public of Nominations Forms
Nomination papers are available for public inspection up to and including the day before the poll. During this period the nomination papers may have details…
Who Can be a Candidate in Other Elections?
Who can be a candidate in other elections? European Parliament Anyone who is 18 and not disqualified may stand. This includes citizens of other EU…
Who Can be a Parliamentary Candidate?
Who can be a Parliamentary candidate? The basic requirements are: be at least 18 years old on the day of nomination (note: not election day,…
Disqualifications for Local Candidates
Disqualifications for Local Candidates There are some groups of people who cannot be local government candidates even if they meet one of the qualifications for…
Who Can be a Local Government Candidate?
Who Can be a Local Government Candidate? Agents sometimes joke that candidates are “merely a legal necessity”. Even if, on the quiet, some agents may…
How to fill in the notification of local election agent form
This form is pretty straight forward. The only thing to look out for is the rules around the office address. See these articles for more…
How to fill in the Certificate of Indentification also known as the DNO form
1.The Delegated Nominating Officer (DNO) is the one appointed by your local party – they should have notified the Returning Officer who they are. Each…
How to fill in the Local Elections Candidates Consent to Nomination
1. The candidate must be a UK, Commonwealth or EU citizen and over 18 on nomination day. 2. to 5. Only one of these categories…