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

When are the postal votes opened and how will you know when an opening session if taking place?

It is likely that several opening sessions will take place before polling day, as well as on polling day itself.

The (Acting) Returning Officer must:

  • give candidates at least 48 hours’ notice of when and where the sessions will take place1
  • set out how many postal voting agents will be allowed to attend each session

There will be a final opening session after the polls have closed to open any postal votes handed in to polling stations. This session may be held at the count venue or in another location. The (Acting) Returning Officer will advise you of the location for the final opening.

For more information on the process carried out at the opening of postal votes see Stages of the postal vote opening process

Last updated: 4 December 2023