Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Scottish Parliament elections

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Reporting your spending

After the election, the candidate must provide a written statement of their personal expenses to their agent within 21 days of the result being declared.1

Party list candidates must also submit a declaration to the Regional Returning Officer confirming their personal expenses within 35 days of the result being declared.2

The agent must meet deadlines for:

  • receiving and paying invoices
  • sending the spending and donations return to the Returning Officer

Both the agent and the candidate must also submit declarations that the return is complete and accurate.3

You must still submit the return and declarations even if you haven’t spent any money.4  This is called a ‘nil return’.

You can find these deadlines, and more information on reporting, in after the election.

Last updated: 26 May 2026