UK Parliamentary by-elections in Great Britain
Guidance and resources
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 Great Britain.
Click here to view guidance on standing at a UK Parliamentary by-election in Northern Ireland
An overview document gives instructions on how to use this guidance and who does what at these elections. Read the overview (PDF)
We have produced a generic timetable for a UK Parliamentary by-election (DOC) which includes the statutory deadlines.
You can obtain a copy of a specific by-election timetable from the Returning Officer.
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.
Can you stand for election?
This part covers:
- Qualifications for standing for election
- Disqualifications from standing for election
Standing as an independent candidate
This part covers:
- Completing and submitting your nomination papers
- What happens after the close of nominations?
- Appointing your election agent and other agents
- What happens if a candidate dies?
Standing as a party candidate
This part covers:
- Completing and submitting your nomination papers
- What happens after the close of nominations
- Appointing your election agent and other agents
- What happens if a candidate dies?
Spending and donations
This part covers:
- How much you can spend
- The activities covered by the rules
- Which donations you can accept
- How to check donations you receive
- What information needs to be recorded and reported
The campaign
This part covers:
- Campaigning dos and don'ts
- Using the electoral register and absent voters' lists
- Using schools and rooms for public meetings
- Freepost
- Imprints on campaign publicity material
- Polling day dos and don'ts
- Reporting allegations of electoral malpractice
Your right to attend key electoral events
This part covers:
- Attending the opening of postal votes and what to expect
- Attending polling stations and what to expect
- Attending the count and what to expect
After the declaration of results
This part covers:
- Parliamentary oath of office or affirmation
- Return of the deposit
- Access to election paperwork
- Submitting your spending returns and declarations
- Questioning the result through an election petition