You should ensure that all parties, candidates and election agents have access to written guidance on the election process, including local arrangements, and that the information is provided in good time to enable parties, candidates and agents to act on it. As set out in our guidance on communicating with Candidates and Agents you should work with CROs to ensure that candidates at the Mayor of London election and candidates and parties at the election of London-wide Assembly Members have easy access to information on any processes that are to be carried out locally, such as the opening of postal votes and the count, and any entry requirements or additional security measures put in place. Candidates, agents and their supporters should also be briefed on the standards of behaviour that are expected at electoral events.
The purpose of providing written guidance is so that parties, candidates and agents have access to authoritative and comprehensive guidance for reference at any time to ensure that they have all the information they need to take part in an election.
Where appropriate, you can provide parties, candidates and agents with a link to where they can find the relevant information online and it will be for you to ensure in each case that candidates and agents can easily access the information they need and to do whatever is necessary to facilitate this.
You should also direct candidates and agents to the Commission’s guidance for candidates and agents at Greater London Authority elections, which is available on our website.
Accessibility
You should ensure that candidates and agents can easily access all the information they need in order to be able to participate in the election.
You should bear in mind that candidates and agents may have specific access needs, and so may need any information or guidance produced in a large-print or other format, such as Braille or audio, or in a language other than English.
You should also consider that candidates and agents may have special requirements to support their attendance at briefings and you should make briefings available online or via video conference wherever possible.
You can record your briefing and make this available online for candidates and agents to watch on demand at their convenience, with details of how they can ask any follow up questions afterwards included.
However, you will also need to consider how you will offer briefings to those who are unable to, or uncomfortable with, accessing such information online, which may require you to provide some in-person briefings. You should inform candidates and agents of your proposed approach early to assist with your planning and preparation. Those interested in receiving a briefing should be asked to register in advance so that you can track numbers as well as accessibility requirements, which will enable you to tailor your approach and put the appropriate arrangements in place.