Guidance for (Acting) Returning Officers administering a UK Parliamentary election in Great Britain

Revoking the appointment of an election agent

Once an election agent has been appointed by a candidate they cannot resign from their role. Only the candidate may revoke the appointment. In this case the candidate would need to appoint a new election agent or would become their own agent.1

If a candidate is acting as their own election agent, irrespective of whether they became an agent as a result of not appointing one or because they had given you written notice of their own appointment, they can also revoke their own appointment and appoint a new agent. 

Wherever a candidate revokes the appointment of an election agent they must notify you in writing.2 You must then publish a revised version of the notice of election agents.  A candidate may revoke the appointment of an election agent at any time during the election period.

Where possible, if an election agent is revoked but has already been involved in authorising expenditure or campaign materials, the candidate should obtain a declaration from their previous agent regarding any expenses which occurred during their time as agent, to support the candidate’s submission of their final expenses return. 

Last updated: 31 May 2023