Anyone can be appointed as a polling agent, provided that they are not:
the Greater London Returning Officer (GLRO), a Constituency Returning Officer (CRO) or a member of their staff1
a partner or clerk of the GLRO, CRO or a member of their staff2
anyone not entitled to vote at the election as a result of the report of an election court or a conviction for a corrupt or illegal practice under the Representation of the People Act 19833
The same person may be appointed as a polling agent for more than one candidate.4
Both you and your election agent can also automatically act as one of those agents without the need of an official appointment.5
The number of agents who may be appointed to any particular polling station is limited to four,6
or such greater number as the CRO decides to allow. If more than that number are appointed, the CRO will draw lots to determine those people who may attend. Only one polling agent for each candidate can be present in a polling station at any time, but a polling agent can be appointed to attend multiple polling stations. Your right to attend will remain unaffected by this.
Polling agents must be appointed by not later than the fifth working day before the poll.7
The request to appoint polling agents must be made in writing to the CRO.8
It must contain the names and addresses of the people being appointed. The CRO will provide forms you can use for this, or you can use the Commission’s polling agent appointment forms.
If an agent dies or becomes incapable of acting, you may appoint another agent in their place by submitting the relevant appointment form to the CRO.9
Any new appointment in these circumstances must be made without delay.