Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary by-elections in Great Britain

Copies of the register and lists of absent voters can be obtained from the Electoral Registration Officer. You can find their contact details on www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information.

The request must be made in writing1  and we have made a register request form and an absent voters’ lists request form available for this purpose.

The register and lists will be supplied in electronic format unless a paper copy is specifically requested.

The version of the electoral register and lists supplied will be the ones current at the time of application. You may also request the updates to the electoral registers and lists that are published in the lead-up to the poll, including the list of newly registered electors when it is published five working days before the poll. 

Any person found breaching the restrictions on use of the electoral register could face an unlimited fine in England and Wales, or a fine of up to £5,000 in Scotland.  For more information see our guidance on restrictions on the use of the electoral register.

Requesting the electoral register outside of the election period

Political parties and elected representatives are also entitled to request a copy of the electoral register outside of the election period.

Guidance on what information can be requested, when and how it can be requested, and the permitted uses of that information can be found in our factsheet:

More information can be found in our guidance on access and supply of the electoral register.