EA Bulletin: 376 Scotland

ERO Guidance update 

We have recently published our rolling registration dates resource for 2026. This includes timetables for updates to both the full and the open register, and timetables for the publication of election notices of alteration for the scheduled May polls.  

You can access our core guidance for more information ahead of publication of the revised register following the annual canvass, as well as our resource setting out who is entitled to receive what copies of the full electoral register. 

We have also recently updated our guidance to reflect the provisions set out in The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2025. These include an increase in the age limit that looked after, or formerly looked after people can register using a declaration of local connection, as well as updated rules on proxy voting.  

The proxy voting rules relate to:

• some prisoners,
• individuals accompanying someone who is receiving medical treatment, and  

• the replacement of proxies where the nominated proxy is unable to vote.  

   

New electoral register access and supply resources 

We have published two new resources to support Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) in managing requests for the electoral register from those who are entitled to receive it.

The access and supply of the electoral register factsheet summarises the legislative requirements and restrictions for registered political parties, local constituency parties, elected representatives and candidates, when requesting the electoral register.  

This factsheet will be available via the political party and candidate and agent sections of our website, but EROs are encouraged to share this with local political parties and others to help ensure that requests are clear and consistent.  

We’ve also produced a new template register request form for parties to use. The aim is to reduce incomplete or unclear requests and make the process more efficient for everyone.  You may already be aware that we have a separate template form for candidates to request the register at an election, which is available in our guidance for candidates and agents.

If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch with the Scotland team at [email protected].

Postal vote reapplication - reminder 

As part of the changes introduced by the UK Elections Act, and as noted in our previous bulletin, the first group of postal voters will need to reapply by 31 January 2026 to keep their postal vote for UK Parliament elections. If they do not reapply by this date, their postal vote will be cancelled. 

With the deadline for the first batch of electors only 2 months away, we wanted to remind you  we have published guidance on the reapplication process to support you with this work, as well as resources to help raise awareness about the process.

If you have any queries regarding our guidance or the process, please contact the Scotland Team at [email protected].