Guidance for Petition Officers

This guidance has been produced to support Petition Officers in Great Britain in carrying out their role in administering a recall petition. It is based on, and should be read in accordance with, the requirements set out in the Recall of MPs Act 2015 and the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016. 

This guidance is directed towards the Petition Officer (PO) and the duties they carry out. As these duties may in practice be carried out by deputies and/or appointed staff, we use the term ‘you’ to mean the PO and whoever is carrying out the PO’s duties on their behalf.

In England and Wales, the Petition Officer is the same person as the (Acting) Returning Officer for the parliamentary constituency. 1 This can be the same person as the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).2

In Scotland, the Petition Officer is the same person as the Returning Officer for the parliamentary constituency. 3   

In this guidance we use ‘must’ to refer to a specific legal requirement, and ‘should’ or ‘may’ for recommended practice or where you have discretion. The legislation provides flexibility to enable you to make arrangements which reflect the particular needs of your constituency.  

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has also produced guidance to assist Petition Officers in the performance of their statutory duties, which we have referred to in this guidance.