Election material

Election material is material whose purpose can reasonably be regarded as intending to promote or procure electoral success for:

  • one or more political parties
  • a candidate or future candidate
  • political parties, candidates, or future candidates that are linked by their support for or opposition to particular policies, or by holding particular opinions
  • other categories of candidates or future candidates that are not based on policies or opinions – for example, candidates or future candidates who went to a state school, or independent candidates (who do not stand for a political party)
  • any combination of the above

It includes material that is reasonably regarded as intended to influence voters to vote for or against one of the entities listed above – for example it includes both a positive campaign about a party’s policies, and a negative campaign criticising a rival party’s policies.

If material meets any of these criteria, it will be election material even if the material can reasonably be regarded as intended to achieve other purposes as well. There is more detail on this point in the section about non-party campaigners.

Organic digital material which is election material and is published by or on behalf of a relevant entity must include an imprint. The following are examples of organic material that constitute election material:

Example campaign asset against a party that reads 'Anyone but the Grey Party'. An imprint in the bottom right corner reads 'Promoted by The Campaign Group, 62 High Street, Engleston, AB12 3CD'.

Election material which can reasonably be regarded as intended to influence voters to vote against a political party.

Example campaign asset that reads “Vote. Vote Jane Doe for the Grey Party”. There is an imprint in the bottom right-hand corner that reads “Promoted by the Engleston Grey Party on behalf of Jane Doe, both of 110 High Street, Engleston, AB12 3CD”.

Election material which can reasonably be regarded as intending to promote or procure electoral success for a candidate.

An example campaign asset supporting a specific issue that reads 'Use your vote to save Engleston Library. Vote for a condidate who has signed our pledge'. An imprint in the bottom right hand corner reads 'Promoted by Campaigners Ltd, 98 High Street, Engleston, AB12 3CD'.

Election material which can reasonably be regarded as intending to promote or procure electoral success for a category of candidates that are linked by their support for a policy.

An example asset not promoting a specific issue that reads 'Vote for a candidate who lives and works in Engleston'. An imprint in the bottom right hand corner reads 'Promoted by Campaigners Ltd, 98 High Street, Engleston, AB12 3CD'.

Election material which can reasonably be regarded as intending to promote or procure electoral success for a category of candidates that are linked by something other than a policy.

Last updated: 2 November 2023