Non-party campaigners: UK Parliamentary general elections

What makes an individual permissible?

Individuals must be on a UK electoral register at the time of the donation.1  This includes overseas electors. 

If you are left a bequest, and the individual was on the electoral register at any time five years before their death, you can accept the donation.2

How do you check permissibility?

You can use the electoral register to check if an individual is permissible. Registered non-party campaigners are entitled to a free copy of the full electoral register.3

A new version of the electoral register is usually published on 1 December every year, and it is updated regularly. 

You should contact the Electoral Registration Officer at the relevant local council in writing for your copy, explaining that you are asking for it as a registered non-party campaigner.4  You should also ask them to send you all the updates.

You will receive the register in electronic form unless you request a printed version of the register.5

You can find contact details for local councils through our postcode search.

You must check the register and updates carefully to make sure that the person is on the register on the date you received the donation. 

In special circumstances, people have an anonymous registration. If the individual is anonymously registered, you must provide a statement that you have seen evidence that they have an anonymous entry on the register.6  Evidence will be in the form of a certificate of anonymous registration. You must submit a copy of the certificate with your report.7

You must only use the register for checking if an individual is permissible, or for electoral purposes. You must not pass it on to anyone else.8

What do you need to record? 

You must record: 

• the individual’s full name  
• the address as it is shown on the electoral register, or if the person is an overseas elector, their home address9

You may find it helpful to note the person’s electoral number, as a record of your check.

If you have received a bequest, please contact us for advice on checking permissibility and the reporting requirements.