EA Bulletin: 410 England

Our guidance sets out what the legislation provides for in relation to changes, deletions and additions of party names, descriptions and emblems.  

Because of the short time until the poll, we are advising parties that we will not process any new applications submitted now to register a new political party, amend a party name, amend or add an emblem, or add a description in time for use on the ballot paper at the election.  

We may, however, still make some changes where applications are already in progress. While we aim to make all updates to the online registers of political parties by Friday 28th March 2025, there remains the potential that we may need to make some further updates after that date. The final date for new parties, or new names, descriptions or emblems, to be added to the register is Monday 31st March 2025.

Update on party names, descriptions and emblems 

As per our approach to providing updates on changes made to party names, descriptions and emblems we have created a summary of updates made since 24 June 2024. 

You can find full details of what amendments have been made in our list of recent decisions to approve or reject applied-for party names, descriptions and emblems.  

When receiving nominations, Returning Officers must check that the party name or any description given on a nomination form, as well as the requested emblem, is registered on the Electoral Commission’s register of political parties and that the details provided match the registration. To ensure that you are viewing the most up-to-date information, you may need to delete your browser history or refresh the page. If you are unsure how to do this, your IT team should be able to advise you.  

Emblem Zip file  

A Zip file of emblem images is available on our website and was last updated on 18 March 2025.

While the Zip file should be used by your printer to prepare ballot papers, it is the information on the Commission’s register of political parties that should be used for confirming which emblem and description to print on the ballot papers. You should therefore ensure that you and your printers only download and use the Zip file once nominations have closed. 

Please contact [email protected]  if you have any queries about the information contained on the registers.

Please find in the drop down lists below, a summary of the updates we have made since the 24 June 2024. 

Ahead of the elections in May, we are running our ‘Your Vote is Yours Alone’ campaign in partnership with Crimestoppers. The campaign aims to raise awareness of and help prevent electoral fraud.  

We have produced a suite of resources outlining what constitutes electoral fraud. The resources also aim to empower people to protect their vote and report any concerns to Crimestoppers. You can help to prevent electoral fraud and raise awareness by sharing our resources which are available to download from our website.

There are versions for voting in a polling station and voting by post in various formats such as videos, posters & leaflets and social media templates, assets and banners.

The Electoral Commission supports the ‘My Vote My Voice’ campaign, which aims to encourage people with learning disabilities and autistic people to vote. The campaign is run by United Response, Dimensions, and Mencap, who work closely together with people with lived experience of autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health needs. As part of the campaign, My Vote My Voice have co-created Easy Read resources about local government and how they are elected that partners can use to support voters ahead of the 1 May elections.

Download Easy Read guides to local elections.  

This spring, My Vote My Voice are aiming to continue growing their coalition of over 200 organisations, register 2000 new voters, and amplify the use of these newly co-created resources about local government, their role in our daily lives, and how to have your say.

Learn more, and join My Vote My Voice as a partner.

Thank you to everyone who took part in or supported Welcome to Your Vote Week 2025.  

We would love to hear about your activities and thoughts on our resources - please take five minutes to complete our short evaluation survey.  

Schools, colleges, universities and youth groups will be entered into a prize draw to win £500 towards resources upon completion of the survey. You’ll also be able to download a certificate to share on social media.

You can complete our survey here.

What’s next?  

While this year’s Welcome to Your Vote Week has come to a close, our democratic education work continues. Our year-round education resources can be used in schools and youth group settings to support young people to understand democracy, elections and voting.  

To stay up to date, sign up for our education newsletter.  

If you have any questions or want to get in touch with us, please contact [email protected] . 

Read our new research report  

We're pleased to share our new youth facing research report: 'Young Voices on Democracy: What they know and what they need'.  

The report explores how young people feel about voting, politics and democracy, what’s being taught in schools, and the most used and trusted sources of information.  

It highlights the need for democratic education - because when young people have more information, they feel more empowered to take part.  

Read the Young Voices on Democracy report here.

As laid out in bulletin 409 England, The Electoral Commission are hosting advice surgeries for candidates and agents.  

This is a reminder that surgeries will take place on 8, 9 and 10 April 2025. If you are aware of any potential candidates and agents who may benefit from attending this webinar, please forward this information to them.  

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

If you would like to register, please complete this form.