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

Starting the election timetable

This section of the guidance covers the statutory actions that must take place to enable the election timetable to formally commence.

This includes:

  • the process for the issue and receipt of the writ 
  • the subsequent publication of the notice of election 
  • the requirement to deliver poll cards as soon as is practicable after the notice of election is published

We have published a non-date specific timetable for UK Parliamentary general elections and by-elections:

A date-specific timetable will be available on our website when the next UK Parliamentary general election is announced.

Last updated: 18 November 2024