Combined Guidance for Returning Officers at Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in England

The PARO is responsible for managing the return and forfeiture of deposits at the PCC election. 

Returning deposits - Local Mayoral Elections

At a mayoral election, the £500 deposit made by or on behalf of a candidate must be returned if, after the counting of votes (including any recount) is completed, the candidate is found to have polled more than 5% of the total number of valid votes polled by all candidates in the election.

You must not return the deposit to any candidate who is found to have polled equal to or less than 5% of the total number of valid votes cast.1

If the threshold is met, you must return the deposit to the person who made it.2

The deposits that are required to be returned must be returned not later than the next working day after the result of the election is declared.3 This deadline would be met should you post a cheque no later than the next working day after the result of the election is declared.

Forfeited deposits - Local Mayoral Elections

The deposit made by or on behalf of a candidate will be forfeited to the local authority if, after the counting of the valid (including any recount) is completed, the candidate is found not to have polled more than 5% of the total number of valid votes polled by all candidates in the election.4