Scottish Parliamentary elections
Guidance and resources for candidates and their agents at the Scottish Parliamentary election
The guidance on this page is being updated into our web-based format. The updated guidance will include the legislative amendments required for the next set of scheduled polls in 2026. Plans for the publication of the updated guidance will be communicated via the EA Bulletin.
You should continue to refer to this published guidance for any by-elections held prior to 7 May 2026.
Please contact our Electoral Commission Scotland team via [email protected] if you require any assistance.
Guidance and resources for candidates and their agents at the Scottish Parliamentary election
An overview document gives instructions on how to use this guidance and who does what at these elections:
We have also produced a document for people who want to know the basics about elections, the roles of different organisations and where to find more information.
Access to Elected Office Fund
Inclusion Scotland run an Access to Elected Office Fund Scotland that provides financial assistance to disabled candidates standing for election to help with the extra costs they may incur as a result of their disability.
For more information about applying for a grant from the Access to Elected Office Fund Scotland, see Inclusion Scotland.
Can you stand for election?
This part covers:
- Qualifications required to stand for election
- Disqualifications
- Being nominated in more than one area
Standing at the constituency election
This part covers:
- Completing and submitting your nomination papers
- What happens after the close of nominations?
- Appointing your election agent and other agents
Standing at the regional election
This part covers:
- Completing and submitting your nomination papers
- What happens after the close of nominations?
- Appointing your election agent and other agents
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
- 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:
- Making the declaration of acceptance of office
- Access to election paperwork
- Submitting your spending returns and declarations
- Questioning the result through an election petition