What happens if a spending return or declaration isn’t submitted?
Failure to submit a spending return or declaration by the deadline without an authorised excuse is a criminal offence.1
The Electoral Commission has a legal remit to secure compliance with the rules on candidates’ spending and donations, but no sanctioning powers in respect of breaches. Suspected breaches of the rules should be referred to the police.
If the return and declaration as to a candidate’s election expenses are not delivered before the expiry of the time limited for the purpose, the candidate is, as respects that election, disqualified from being elected as, or being a Police and Crime Commissioner.2