In July 2006, the UK Parliament passed legislation which allows individuals and organisations to observe proceedings at United Kingdom elections. We have a statutory 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. The observer provisions in respect of Northern Ireland came into force on 1 July 2008.
Below you will find:
- information on how to apply, including downloadable application forms
- the code of conduct all observers must follow
- 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?
Organisations and individuals over the age of 16 are entitled to apply to us for accreditation. 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?
At present, 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. Observers accredited by us do not need to give advance notice of when and where they intend to observe.
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 booklet Observers at United Kingdom elections (PDF) carefully, as it includes detailed guidance on the application process and a code of conduct. A Welsh language version of the observers booklet (PDF) is also available. Printed copies of the booklet are also available from any of our offices on request in both English and Welsh. All applicants must sign a declaration on their application form, which states that they have read and fully understood the code of conduct and agree to abide by it.
- application pack for individuals: application form (PDF), checklist (DOC), guidance and code (PDF), survey (DOC)
- application pack for individuals (Welsh language version): application form (PDF), guidance and code (PDF)
- application pack for organisations: application form (PDF), checklist (DOC), guidance and code (PDF), survey (DOC)
- application pack for organisations (Welsh language version): application form (PDF), guidance and code (PDF)
We will receive applications at any of our offices during normal business hours, or by post. 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).
Returning, Counting and Presiding Officers
Under legislation, we have an obligation to issue guidance to Returning, Counting and Presiding Officers (PDF) on the exercise of the new observer provisions. Section 6F of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) requires the relevant officers to pay regard to this guidance. 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
Following passage of the Electoral Administration Act 2006, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) now also contains provisions that:
- allow representatives of the Commission to attend electoral or referendum proceedings
- allow 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 (PDF) as part of the Code of Practice for observers at UK elections required under the new legislation.
All parts of the Code of Practice (PDF) were laid in both Houses of Parliament on 31 January 2007.
