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

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Maintaining the security and integrity of the election

  • Candidates are one of the key public faces of the election, and your conduct will be scrutinised in detail by opponents, the media and voters.
  • Voters should be able to trust that candidates will comply with the law and maintain the security and integrity of the election process.
  • Election agents are responsible for your campaign and are legally responsible for its financial management.
  • You should make sure that your supporters fully understand the law and know what they need to do to ensure that:
    • voters can participate freely in this election, and
    • other candidates and their supporters can participate safely in this election and be free from intimidation
  • More information about security guidance for candidates and agents is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/security-guidance-for-may-2021-elections. 
  • The police can only investigate allegations of electoral fraud where there is evidence to show that an offence has taken place. Claims or allegations should always be substantiated when referred to the police.
  • You should also consider the impact on public trust and confidence of making false or unsubstantiated allegations about the conduct of other campaigners.
  • Neither the (Acting) Returning Officer nor the Commission regulate these offences. For details of how to report any allegations see our guidance on Reporting allegations of electoral fraud.
     
Last updated: 5 December 2024