Make sure any application forms you develop include all the required information, otherwise the applications will be rejected. In particular, you must make sure that the signature and date of birth fields on postal and proxy application forms are in the correct format. You should use our absent voting application forms as a guide and you should liaise with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) who may be able to provide you with forms you can use.
Inform voters to return their completed application forms to the ERO as soon as practicable. Campaigners should not collect completed paper applications from voters and should not ask voters to send completed applications to campaigners’ addresses. Make sure your supporters follow the Code of Conduct for Campaigners at Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, Scottish council and Welsh local elections – this will help them to avoid situations where their honesty or integrity could be questioned.
Make sure your supporters are courteous when dealing with other candidates and their supporters whilst campaigning as well as at electoral events such as the verification and count.
Be aware of the deadlines for appointing an election agent, and agents to attend postal vote opening sessions, polling stations and the count. Deadlines are set out in our guidance for postal voting, polling day and the verification and count.
Comply with any additional security arrangements that Returning Officers may put in place at electoral events, such as the verification and count, for example requiring attendees to show ID or bag checks before being allowed entry and follow any instructions regarding the standards of behaviour expected.
Check that your systems for recording spending and donations are working. For more information see our guidance on donations and election spending.