What happens if a spending return or declaration isn’t submitted?
Failure to submit a spending return or declaration by the deadline without an authorised excuse is a criminal offence.1
The Electoral Commission has a legal remit to secure compliance with the rules on candidates’ spending and donations, but no sanctioning powers in respect of breaches. Suspected breaches of the rules should be referred to the police.
If a candidate has been elected but the spending return and/or declaration has not been submitted by the deadline they are barred from sitting or voting, and can be subject to a forfeit or fine of £50 per day if they do so.2