Electoral observers

Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) we have a  duty to administer an accreditation scheme for all observers at UK elections - except for Scottish local government elections, which are a devolved matter. If you want to observe at these elections, contact your local Returning Officer. 

Below you will find:

• information on how to apply, including downloadable application forms
• the Code of Practice all observers must follow (the Code has recently been revised following an extensive consultation)
  
• the registers of accredited observers, organisations and authorised Commission representatives
• guidance issued to Returning, Counting and Presiding Officers
• guidance issued to Commission representatives

Who can apply for accreditation?

Please note that even though observers are accredited by us, observers will not be observing on behalf of the Commission, nor receive any payment for their activities from the Commission.

Observer registers and list of authorised Commission representatives

We maintain downloadable registers of accredited observers (XLS), accredited organisations (XLS) and authorised Commission representatives (XLS), which are updated on a regular basis.

Where can I observe?

Observers accredited by us do not need to give advance notice of when and where they intend to observe.

Accredited observers can attend a number of election proceedings in the United Kingdom, but not those concerned exclusively with a local government election in Scotland. Those interested in observing those elections will need to seek prior permission from the relevant Returning Officer. 

What can I observe?

• proceedings at the poll
• proceedings at the issue and receipt of postal ballot papers
• proceedings at the count

How to apply

Application forms are available for download from this webpage and on request from any of our offices. Please read the Code of Practice (PDF) carefully, as it includes detailed guidance on the application process and a code of conduct. We have also produced a Welsh language version of the Code (PDF).

• application form for individuals (PDF)
• application form for individuals - in Welsh (PDF)
• application form for organisations (PDF)
• application form for organisations - in Welsh (PDF)

You can now email your application and all your supporting documents to us at observers@electoralcommission.org.uk

Please allow ten days for the processing of your application. We recommend you do not wait until an election is imminent before applying, as accreditation will not come into effect until three days after the issue of your observer ID card and your inclusion on our register of accredited observers (XLS).

We will also receive application forms at any of our offices during normal business hours, or by post.

Returning, Counting and Presiding Officers

Under legislation, we have an obligation to issue guidance to Returning, Counting and Presiding Officers on the exercise of the new observer provisions. Section 6F of PPERA requires the relevant officers to pay regard to this guidance. This guidance is contained in the Code of Practice on observing elections in the UK (PDF).

The provisions allowing for the attendance of accredited observers and Commission representatives do not derogate from the duty of relevant officers to keep public order and promote the secrecy of the ballot. Commission representatives and accredited observers must always follow all lawful directions from relevant officers and police.

We also issued additional guidance to Returning Officers conducting e-voting pilots at the 2007 May elections (PDF).

Commission representatives

PPERA allows:

• representatives of the Commission to attend electoral or referendum proceedings
• representatives of the Commission to observe the working practices of Electoral Registration Officers, Returning Officers and Counting Officers

We have published guidance for Commission representatives as part of the full Code of Practice that was laid in both Houses of the UK Parliament on 10 February 2010 (see Part D of the Code).

 
All parts of the Code of Practice (PDF) were laid in both Houses of Parliament on 10 February 2010.

Electoral Administrators:

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