May 2026 elections - guidance update

We have now updated our core guidance and resources for Returning Officers at local government elections for the scheduled polls on 7 May 2026. In addition to minor updates reflecting feedback and learning from the May polls, we have also updated our guidance on managing the security of the election. This includes updated information from government on the role of the Force Elected Official Adviser, and further guidance to support you with the management of attendees at electoral events.

Our guidance and resources have also been updated to reflect that a digital version of the Veteran Card (MOD Form 100) is now an accepted form of photographic ID, following the launch by the Government in October.  

We are currently updating our polling station handbook for May 2026, and we will be following our usual process for ordering polling station handbooks. An order form link will be circulated in December, with orders finalised in January, for delivery in March 2026.

As always, we will notify you through the bulletin when any further updates to the guidance and additional resources are published.

If you have any queries, or need any further support, please contact your local Commission team at [email protected]. 

2025 canvass - information about collection of electoral registration data

As you know, each year we collect electoral registration data from EROs following the annual canvass and the publication of the revised electoral registers. This data plays an important role in our reporting on electoral registration in Great Britain and helps us to demonstrate how canvass processes have been working in practice.  

We will be asking for the same canvass data as in 2024, which will be available in your EMS systems as usual.  

We will be in touch by email at the start of December to request the data and provide instructions on how to generate the report.

If you are planning to delay the publication of your revised register, please let us know at [email protected].  

We would like to thank you in advance for your support with this work and for the time taken to supply data to us.