Spending on campaign activities by non-party campaigners is only regulated if it can reasonably be regarded as intended to promote or procure the electoral success of:
one or more political parties
political parties or candidates who support or do not support particular policies or
by influencing voters at an upcoming election to vote in a particular way. See definition of relevant elections in Annex B.
Whether an activity can reasonably be regarded as intending to influence voters to vote in a particular way is commonly known as the ‘purpose test’.
Spending on the following activities is regulated if (i) it occurs in relation to a general campaign during a regulated period and (ii) meets the purpose test:
press conferences or other media events organised by the non-party campaigner
transport in connection with publicising the campaign
production or publication of campaign material which is made available to the public at large or any section of the public
canvassing and market research seeking views or information from members of the public