How to maintain your registered political party
Changing which elections you intend to contest
Which parts of the UK you can contest elections in
If you are registered in Great Britain, you can change the parts of the register you appear in (England, Scotland, Wales).
This will allow you to contest elections in those parts of Great Britain.
When you submit an application to another part of the register, this requires us to assess your party’s existing identity marks on the new part of the register.
The Northern Ireland register is separate from the Great Britain register and requires a separate application.
Submit online
You can do this online, using PEF Online.
Other ways to submit
If you cannot submit online, complete a form and return it to us.
The form must be signed by:
- the current registered party treasurer
- the current registered party leader
- the current registered nominating officer
If one person holds all three positions (treasurer, party leader and nominating officer) the form must be signed by either:
- your registered additional officer
- your registered campaigns officer (if you have one)
If a registered party officer is unable to sign, they can authorise another party officer to sign on their behalf.
The application must include both:
- a declaration explaining that the replacement person is authorised to sign in the required officer’s place
- a statement explaining why the required officer is unable to sign
UK Parliamentary general elections
If your party decides that it will not be standing candidates in the next UK Parliamentary general election (UKPGE), you should notify us.
This means that you will be exempt from sending us weekly donation and loan reports during the election.
You should do this as soon as you are sure that you will not be standing candidates at the election.
If you change your mind and decide that your party will stand candidates at the next general election, you can withdraw the exemption.
Submit online
You can do this online, using PEF Online.
Other ways to submit
If you cannot submit online, complete a form and return it to us.
The forms must be signed by:
- the current registered party leader
- the current registered nominating officer
If the same person fills both these positions, the form must be signed by another registered officer of the party.
If either the party leader or nominating officer is unable to sign the form, another officer of the party must sign the form instead, making a declaration that they are authorised to sign in the registered officer’s absence, and explaining why the registered officer is unable to sign the form.
Annual renewal
If you told us when you registered that you would not be standing candidates at UKPGEs, all you need to do is confirm your intention when you submit your annual renewal.
If you do this, you will continue to be exempt from sending the weekly reports.
Minor parties
Minor parties can only contest parish or community council elections.
If you are registered as a minor party and want to contest any other elections, you will need to change your minor party status.