Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Scottish Parliament election

Constituency contest

You must publish the notice of election for the constituency not earlier than 35 working days before the date of the poll and not later than 28 working days before the poll.1 The Convener of the EMB may direct or recommend when the notice of election for both the constituency and regional contest should be published.

The notice of election must include the following:2

• the place and the times at which nomination papers may be obtained
• the place and times for the delivery of nomination papers
• the date of the poll if the election is contested
• where you have decided to accept electronic payments, the arrangements for electronic payment of deposits
• the date by which applications for absent votes (including emergency proxies) and any cancellation or changes to existing absent voting arrangements must reach the ERO in order to be effective for the election

The notice of election should also include the date by which applications for registration must reach the ERO in order to be effective for the election.3

The address given for the delivery of nomination papers should be exact and include any room number in your offices. You should inform all reception staff at offices of the building and other connected buildings that they should not take receipt of nomination papers.

You can find a constituency notice of election template in the Starting the election timetable section of our resources page.

Regional contest

The RRO must publish the notice of election for the region not earlier than 35 working days before the date of the poll and not later than 28 working days before the poll.4 The Convener of the EMB may direct when the notice of election for both the constituency and regional contest should be published.

The notice of election must include the following:5

• the places and times at which nominations can be obtained
• the places and times at which nomination papers may be delivered
• the date of the poll if the contest is contested
• where you have decided to accept electronic payments, the arrangements for electronic payment of deposits
• the date by which applications for absent votes (including emergency proxies) and any cancellation or changes to existing absent voting arrangements must reach the ERO in order to be effective for the election

The notice of election should also include the date by which applications for registration must reach the ERO in order to be effective for the election.6

The address given for the delivery of nomination papers should be exact and include any room number in your offices. You should inform all reception staff at offices of the building and other connected buildings that they should not take receipt of nomination papers.

You can find a regional notice of election template in the Starting the election timetable section of our resources page.