This page provides a range of resources that we have produced for use by the media. You can jump to the relevant section using the links below:
Media handbooks
We produce media handbooks for journalists with useful information about upcoming elections referendums.
Handbooks for polls in 2012
Our media handbooks for other elections taking place in May 2012 will be available in mid-February. You may also find our handbooks for previous elections and the UK-wide referendum that took place on 5 May 2011 useful:
Handbooks for previous polls
- Media handbook: Local government elections in England 5 May 2011 (PDF)
- Media handbook: UK general election 2010 (PDF)
- Media handbook: Referendum on the voting system for the UK Parliament (PDF) (English)
- Llawlyfr i’r Cyfryngau: Refferendwm ar y system bleidleisio i Senedd y DU (PDF) (Welsh)
Images to download
We have a selection of images that can be used by the press, which are available on our flickr site.
These images are protected by copyright and they cannot be used or made available to the public in digital form without written consent. The images must not be used for any party political purpose.
To obtain permission to use any of these images please download and return the permission form below to publications@electoralcommission.org.uk or call the Media Relations Team on 020 7271 0704.
Useful links
Below is a list of links to other areas of the site which may be of particular interest to members of the press.
Election and referendum results
You can find information on previous election and referendum results in the results and analysis area of our website.
Referendums
We have a larger role in the running of referendums than in elections. Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 we are responsible for:
- commenting on the wording of the referendum question
- registration of campaigners
- designating lead campaign organisations
- regulating campaign spending and donations
- giving grants to lead campaign organisations
- the conduct of the poll
- the announcement of the result
To find out more about referendums read our referendums factsheet (PDF) :
For information on the referendum on the law-making powers for the National Assembly for Wales visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/wales/referendum.
For information on the UK-wide referendum on the voting system for the UK Parliament go to: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/uk/referendum.
For information on elections planned for 2011 visit: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/upcoming-elections-and-referendums.
Donations to, and spending by, Political Parties and regulated individuals
The Electoral Commission is the independent party finance watchdog.
To find out who can donate to political parties and how this is reported to the Commission read our overview of donations to political parties here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/102263/to-donations-rp.pdf.
To look up a donation which has been reported to the Commission go to the register of donations to political parties, use the drop down boxes and blank fields to refine searches by political party, donor, amount etc: http://registers.electoralcommission.org.uk/regulatory-issues/regdpoliticalparties.cfm.
The Commission analyses all donations and loans to political parties to promote transparency. These reports can be found here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/party-finance-analysis.
There is also a register for donations to regulated donees - individuals and members associations, which can also be refine to narrow the search results: http://registers.electoralcommission.org.uk/regulatory-issues/regdonregulateddonee.cfm.
Political parties are required to submit statement of accounts to the Electoral Commission. This register gives all the accounts which have been submitted by each party: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/database-of-registers/statements-of-account.
The Commission keeps a register of all political parties in the UK and all political parties in Northern Ireland. The register can be found here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/database-of-registers/statements-of-account.
Our role and responsibilities
For general information on the role of the Electoral Commission and details of how to make an allegation go to: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/party-finance/enforcement.
The website contains a number of factsheets on areas of the Commission’s work including Individual Electoral Registration, Who can be on the electoral register and relevant legislation. They can be found here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/publications-and-research/factsheets-and-case-studies.
Information for voters including printable registrations forms, details or local registration officers and how to vote can be is available on the Commission’s sister site: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
Other resources
Campaigns
The Commission runs a number of public information campaigns to build voter awareness of the needs to register to be able to vote and how to do so. Our advertisements can be viewed in the campaigns section of our website.
Promoting electoral engagement
We produce a range of resources for electoral administrators, teachers, or others wishing to promote electoral engagement, available on our do politics website.
