Imprints for political parties: Scottish Parliamentary elections and council elections in Scotland

Does everyone have to include an imprint?

For printed material such as leaflets and posters, anyone who promotes or prints election material must include an imprint by law.

For digital material, you do not have to include an imprint on your election material if you are expressing your personal opinion in material published on your own behalf and on a non-commercial basis.

Some people cannot use the personal opinion exemption due to their legal responsibilities under electoral law.

If you are one of these people, you must include an imprint on any digital election material containing text even if it is your personal opinion.

These people are:

  • A candidate at the election
  • An election agent or deputy election agent at a Scottish Parliamentary election, Scottish council election, or certain other elections
  • A holder of elective office:
    • a member of the House of Commons
    • a member of the Scottish Parliament
    • a member of the Senedd
    • a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
    • a Police and Crime Commissioner
    • a member of any local authority in the UK, excluding parish or community councils
    • a member of the Greater London Authority
    • the Mayor of London or any other elected mayor
  • A registered officer of a political party or one of its accounting units:
    • party leader
    • treasurer
    • deputy treasurer
    • nominating officer
    • campaigns officer
    • deputy campaigns officer
    • accounting unit treasurer
    • accounting unit second officer

A responsible person for a registered non-party campaigner

An organisation cannot use the personal opinion exemption.

For the separate UK-wide digital imprints regime which also applies, see our statutory guidance.

Last updated: 31 October 2023