UK Parliamentary by-elections in Northern Ireland
Guidance and resources
We have produced a document for people who want to know the basics about elections, the roles of different organisations and where to find more information.
Candidates and agents standing at Parliamentary by-elections in the UK have to follow rules set out in law regarding their election spending, and the donations and loans they can accept towards campaigning.
This page contains all the guidance and resources that you need to comply with those rules if you are a candidate or agent in a UK Parliamentary by-election in Northern Ireland. If you are looking for guidance on standing as a candidate in Northern Ireland, visit the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website
Click here to view guidance on standing at a UK Parliamentary by-election in Great Britain
Notional spending update Elections Act
Under the Elections Act 2022, two changes have been made to the legislation on candidate spending rules:
- Definition of ‘use on behalf a candidate’ in notional spending
- Making payments for local campaigning
The changes came into force on 24 November 2022. We have updated our Part 3 guidance to reflect the change.
Candidate spending at UK Parliamentary by-elections in Northern Ireland
This part covers:
- When you become a candidate
- What it means to be a candidate
- What an agent does
- What donations you can accept
- When you have to submit your spending return after the election