Election spending
Candidates and political parties are subject to limits on their
spending on items and services used during the regulated period of
an election. Election expenses returns relate to these permitted
spending limits and are required to provide accountability and
transparency about the campaigns of candidates. Spending limits are
set by legislation and are subject to change.
All candidates and election agents, where applicable, are
required to submit a Declaration and Return of Expenses to the
Returning Officer within a statutory timescale – whether or not
they were elected. Even if no spending was incurred, a nil return
still has to be submitted along with the declaration.
These documents are then made available for inspection, during
normal office hours at the Elections Office, for the following
statutory periods:
- UK Parliamentary Election: 2 years from receipt (public notice
must be given in two or more local newspapers)
- European Parliamentary election: 1 year (public notice must be
given in the region)
- Local Government – Borough elections: 2 years from receipt
- Local Government – Parish elections: 1 year from receipt
A copy of the documents can be provided on receipt of the
statutory fee (currently 20p for each side of each page). Please
contact the office to make an appointment to inspect or to request
a copy.
European Parliamentary election expenses returns for the North
West East Region are held by the Returning Officer for those
elections – please contact the Elections Office for contact
details.