Guidance for the GLRO administering the GLA elections

The legislation is precise about the use of descriptions. Different rules apply to Mayor of London candidates, individual London-wide Assembly candidates and party nominations. 

In all cases, to be able to use a party’s identifiers (i.e.name, description and emblem) the party must be registered on the Commission’s register of political parties1  and be listed as allowed to field candidates in England.

Political parties can register up to 12 descriptions.

You must check that the party name or description as given on the nomination form is registered on the Commission’s register of political parties and matches it exactly. If it does not, you must reject that nomination. 

Even if a registered party is well known, it is vital to check the register of political parties for the exact details of the party as registered with the Commission.

In case of future challenges, and to maintain a clear audit trail, you should print a copy of the relevant part of the Commission’s register of political parties showing the descriptions and party name at the time of your determination.