Read in Welsh/ Darllenwch y Gymraeg
Overview
You can access all our guidance for candidates and their agents on standing for election through this page. This includes information to help candidates and agents comply with the rules on campaign spending and donations.
Between elections, there are rules on donations to individuals for political purposes. If you are a prospective candidate and you belong to a registered party please also see our page for regulated individuals.
Looking for background information?
See the Elections section of the website.
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Access to Elected Office Fund grants exemptions from candidate election spending rulesOn 22 March 2013 the law changed the election expenses rules for disabled candidates who receive a grant from the Access to Elected Office for Disabled People Fund. This means that some spending will no longer count towards the spending limit for candidates who receive money from the Fund. The exemption will apply to the Local Government elections in England in May 2013 and 2014 and to Mayoral, UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner by-elections until June 2014. Following the changes to the law, we've updated our candidates and agents guidance, produced a factsheet explaining the changes to the rules and updated our candidates spending forms. If you have any questions or want further information then please contact us for advice on 0207 271 0616 or at pef@electoralcommission.org.uk Local government elections in England and Wales: guidance update for 2013We have now updated all of our candidates and agents guidance documents for local elections in England and Wales (principal area, parish & community council and mayoral elections). |
Your feedback
We welcome feedback from those using our guidance in order to help us improve it.
Our guidance and forms
Local government elections
- Local government elections in England and Wales
- Parish and community elections in England and Wales
- Mayoral elections in England
- Local council elections in Scotland
- Guidance for candidates and agents in Northern Ireland
Greater London Authority elections
UK Parliamentary by-elections
UK general election
We regulate candidate spending during the regulated period of a UK general election and provide forms and guidance when required.
The regulated period for candidates at the 2010 UK general election ran from 1 January 2010 to 6 May 2010. The deadline for reporting expenditure and donations has passed.
European Parliamentary elections
We regulate candidate spending for non-party candidates during the regulated period of European Parliamentary elections and provide forms and guidance when required.
The regulated period for the 2009 European Parliamentary elections ran from 5 February 2009 to 4 June 2009. The deadline for reporting expenditure and donations has passed.
Scottish Parliamentary elections
We regulate candidate spending during the regulated period of elections to the Scottish Parliament and we provide forms and guidance when required.
The regulated period for candidates at the 2011 elections ran from 6 January 2011 to 5 May 2011. The deadline for reporting expenditure and donations has passed.
For archived guidance see: Standing for Scottish Parliamentary elections
National Assembly for Wales elections
We regulate candidate spending during the regulated period of elections to the National Assembly for Wales and we provide forms and guidance when required.
The regulated period for candidates at the 2011 elections ran from 25 March 2011 to 5 May 2011. The deadline for reporting expenditure and donations has passed.
For archived guidance see: Standing for National Assembly for Wales elections
Northern Ireland Assembly elections
We regulate candidate spending during the regulated period of elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and we provide forms and guidance when required.
The regulated period for candidates at the 2011 elections ran from 25 March 2011 to 5 May 2011. The deadline for reporting expenditure and donations has passed.
