Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

Appointing your election agent and other agents

The election agent is the person responsible for the proper management of your election campaign and in particular for its financial management. You must have an election agent. If you do not appoint an agent, you will become your own agent by default.1

Once appointed, payments for election expenses can only be made by or through the election agent.2  For more information see our guidance on candidate spending.

You can also appoint other agents to observe the following electoral processes, which both you and your election agent are also entitled to observe:3

  • the opening of postal votes 
  • the poll
  • the count
Last updated: 1 December 2023