uk parliamentary general election nomination pack · chris highcock 0131 469 3126 ... member of...

UK Parliamentary General Election Nomination Pack

Edinburgh South Burgh Constituency

1.

Constituency:


Date of Election:

Thursday 7 May 2015

Description

Documents to

be returned

Comments

for Election

Team only

1.List of Contents and Checklist for Nomination Pack

2.Letter to Prospective Candidates

3.Election Timetable/Main Dates

4.Candidates and Election Agents Guidance Notes

5.Deposit Return Form

6.Candidate Checklist

7.Nomination Paper (including List of Subscribers)

8.Candidate’s Home Address Form

9.Candidate’s Consent to Nomination

10.Certificate of Authorisation (Party Candidate only)

11.Request for Party Emblem (Party Candidate only)

12.Notification of Election Agent (all candidates)

13.Request for Register of Electors and Absent Voters

14.Guidelines for Display of Posters

15.Statutory provision for use of Schools and Rooms

16.Spending Limits – Long and Short Campaigns

17.Information on Polling Places

18.Electoral Commission’s Code of Conduct for Campaigners

19.Previous Edinburgh South Burgh Constituency Results from 2010

20.Notice of Withdrawal

21.Forms for appointment of Polling Agents, Postal Voting Agents and Counting Agents

22. Requirements of Secrecy for Polling, Postal Voting and Count

Note: It would be helpful if you could complete the forms in BLOCK CAPITALS as appropriate. If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact the Elections Nominations Team:

Chris Highcock 0131 469 3126

Fran Cattanach 0131 469 3074

Ros Wilson 0131 469 3820

UK Parliamentary General

Election 2015

List of Contents and Checklist for Nomination Pack for

Candidates and Agents

2. To: Candidates for the UK Parliamentary General Election

Dear Sir/Madam UK Parliamentary General Election - Thursday 7 May 2015 Edinburgh South Burgh Constituency I enclose nomination papers, including relevant supporting documentation, for the election of a Member of Parliament to represent the Edinburgh South Burgh Constituency. The election will be held on Thursday 7 May 2015. I have made arrangements for my staff to accept nomination papers between 10am and 4pm from Wednesday 1 April 2015 and on each working day thereafter until 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2015. Nominations and deposits will be taken within the City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ. Specific access arrangements to allow nominations to be taken have been put in place. The deposit for each nomination (£500) may be paid by electronic bank transfer, legal tender or banker’s draft (from banks operating in the UK only) and by debit or credit card (with an additional transaction fee of £6 for credit cards). As candidates and agents will be aware, the nomination period for the UK Parliamentary General Election is very tight as it straddles the Easter weekend. To assist in ensuring that an appropriate member of staff is on hand to receive nominations it would be helpful if candidates could call 0131 469 3820 or 0131 469 3074 to make an appointment. For the avoidance of doubt, completed nomination papers must be lodged not later than 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2015 at City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ. Candidates are advised to read the Electoral Commission’s Guidance to Candidates and Agents which contains all the relevant information regarding this Election. A candidates and agents briefing session will be held on Wednesday 18 March 2015, at 6pm in the City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ. This session will provide additional information about the poll and count and will be facilitated by myself and members of my team. It will be an important opportunity to clarify any issues or ask questions you may have about the arrangements for the election. Yours faithfully Dame Sue Bruce Returning Officer Enc

3.

Timetable for the UK Parliamentary general election: 7 May 2015

The days which are disregarded in calculating the timetable are Saturday, Sunday, Good Friday, other bank holidays and any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

Please be aware that the timetable may change in the event of days being appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

This timetable is based on the assumption that the writ is received on the day following the dissolution of Parliament. If in a particular constituency the writ is received on a different date:

The notice of election in that particular constituency must be published no later than 4pm on the second day following the receipt of the writ.

The period for delivery of nomination papers will begin from the day after the publication of notice of election. The deadline for nominations will remain the same (i.e. 4pm on 19 working days before the poll).

Event Working days before poll (deadline if not midnight)

Date (deadline if not midnight)

Dissolution of Parliament

25 days Monday 30 March

Receipt of writ 24 days Tuesday 31 March

Publication of notice of election

Not later than 22 days (4pm)

Not later than 4pm on Thursday 2 April

Delivery of nomination papers

From the day after the publication of the notice of election until the sixth day after the date of dissolution

Between 10am and 4pm on any working day after publication of notice of election until Thursday 9 April

Deadline for delivery of nomination papers

19 days (4pm) 4pm on Thursday 9 April

Deadline for withdrawals of nomination




Making objections to nomination papers (except for objections on the grounds that an individual candidate may be disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1981 – see Commission guidance)

On 19 days (10am to 5pm), subject to the following: Between 10 am – 12 noon objections can be made to all delivered nominations Between 12 noon and 5pm objections can only be made to nominations delivered after 4pm, 20 days before the poll

Between 10am and 12 noon on Thursday 9 April objections can be made to all delivered nominations Between 12 noon and 5pm on Thursday 9 April objections can only be made to nominations delivered after 4pm on Wednesday 8 April

Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agent


Publication of statement of persons nominated, including notice of poll and situation of polling stations

If no objections: on 19 days (at 5pm) If objection(s) are made: Not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than 18 days (4pm)

If no objections: at 5pm on Thursday 9 April Objection(s) made: not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than 4pm on Friday 10 April

Publication of first interim election notice of alteration

On 19 days

Thursday 9 April

Deadline for receiving applications for registration

12 days Monday 20 April

Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes

11 days (5pm) 5pm on Tuesday 21 April



Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies)

6 days (5pm) 5pm on Tuesday 28 April

Publication of second interim election notice of alteration

Between 18 days and 6 days

Between Friday 10 April and Tuesday 28 April (inclusive)

Publication of final election notice of alteration

5 days Wednesday 29 April

Deadline for notification of appointment polling and counting agents

5 days Wednesday 29 April

First date that electors can apply for a replacement for lost postal votes

4 days Thursday 30 April

Polling day

0 (7am to 10pm) 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May

Last time for re-issue of spoilt or lost postal votes

0 (5pm) 5pm on Thursday 7 May

Deadline for emergency proxy applications


Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal


After the declaration of result



Event Deadline Date

Delivery of return as to election expenses

Within 35 calendar days after the date the election result is declared

If result declared on Thursday 7 May: by Thursday 11 June If result declared on Friday 8 May: by Friday 12 June

Deadline for sending postal vote identifier rejection notices

Within the period of three months beginning with the date of the poll

By Thursday 6 August 2015

4.

UK Parliamentary General Election Thursday 7 May 2015

The Nomination Process

A Quick Guide for Candidates and Election Agents

DAME SUE BRUCE Returning Officer for the Edinburgh Constituencies

c/o Election Office City Chambers

High Street Edinburgh

EH1 1YJ

March 2015

2

Purpose This guide is for Candidates and Election Agents. It provides useful information to:

help you contest the UK Parliamentary General Election on 7 May 2015; and

explain how the Returning Officer (the “RO”) and her Election Team for this constituency will run the Election.

This guide can help you but it cannot replace the law, formal Notices published by the Returning Officer or guidance from the Electoral Commission. You can find more information about elections in: Laws The relevant legislation includes:

Representation of the People Acts 1983, 1985 and 2000;

Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000;

Political Parties and Elections Act 2009;

Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001; and

Electoral Administration Act 2006 Websites Useful websites include: The Electoral Commission www.electoralcommission.org.uk and www.aboutmyvote.co.uk The City of Edinburgh Council www.edinburgh.gov.uk/elections

If you have any questions about the election or the nomination process, please contact the Election Team at any time during office hours: Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm; and Friday 9am to 4pm. Our office is closed over the Easter weekend. Please contact:

Fran Cattanach 0131 469 3074 [email protected]

Ros Wilson 0131 469 3820 [email protected]

Chris Highcock 0131 469 3126 [email protected]

Our address is: City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ. Please DO NOT deliver any election notices or forms to the Council’s HQ at Waverley Court or any other Council office.

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/

http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/elections

mailto:[email protected]



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1 Your nomination: the essentials a Take care!

Your formal nomination information must be accurate, because we use it for our documents and for the Ballot Paper. If you make a mistake, or if any information is wrong, your nomination may not be valid.

b Informal help You are responsible for making sure your information is correct, but we can help by checking it informally before you deliver your formal nomination. Our informal checks help you take part in the electoral process by trying to spot errors. They also help to avoid a situation where voters are not able to vote for you or your party. We will let you know what we are doing when we check your papers informally. At the end of the informal check, if we find a problem, we will offer them back to you. Occasionally, nomination papers cannot be accepted and new or amended papers are required in order to meet statutory requirements. It is in your own interest to make sure that our submit nomination papers in good time in case new or amended papers be required. If we do not find a problem, we will offer to accept them formally. You can then decide what you want to do. The RO and her staff also have the power to correct minor errors in a nomination paper, for example obvious errors of spelling in the details of a Candidate or registered party.

c Deadlines for the return of your nomination You can only return your completed nomination form and the other related documents between 10am and 4pm on one of the following days;

Wednesday 1 April; Thursday 2 April; Tuesday 7 April; Wednesday 8 April; and Thursday 9 April.

We cannot accept nominations on 3 April 2015 (Good Friday) or 6 April 2015 (Easter Monday). You must keep to these dates. By law, the RO cannot accept any forms received after the Closing Date (4pm on Thursday 9 April 2015). The nomination period is very short and we will be taking nominations for all 5 Edinburgh constituencies during this time. It will help us a lot if you make an appointment to deliver your nomination papers. This will allow us to provide the best service possible without making you wait for staff to become available.

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Contact Fran Cattanach on 0131 469 3074 [email protected] to arrange an appointment.

Most of your forms must be delivered by hand to the Election Team in the City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ. You can visit the City Chambers Reception on a “drop in” basis and ask for a member of the Election Team to help you, but you may have to wait until a member of the team is available to help you.

d Delivering your Nomination Papers Your nomination can only be delivered by:

You, as the Candidate;

your proposer or seconder; or

your Election Agent (assuming your agent is confirming his/her appointment on delivery of the forms)

e Nomination Pack You can find blank copies of all the papers you need in the Nomination Pack, on the Council website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/elections and on the Electoral Commission website at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/data/assets/word_doc/0011/175871/Nomination-pack-incl-election-agent-notification-form.doc

We will provide paper copies of the forms if you need them.

f Completing your Nomination Papers It is important that you pay particular attention to the rules for filling in nomination papers and related matters, found in Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983. If you have any questions, you can refer to the Electoral Commission Guidance http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/Candidate-or-agent/uk-parliamentary-general-election-great-britain or you can ask the Election Team for advice.

g A checklist is provided in Document 6 of the Nomination Pack, so you can check that you have completed all of the papers that you need to submit.



http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/data/assets/word_doc/0011/175871/Nomination-pack-incl-election-agent-notification-form.doc

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/data/assets/word_doc/0011/175871/Nomination-pack-incl-election-agent-notification-form.doc

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent/uk-parliamentary-general-election-great-britain


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2 Guidance for completing the forms a Guidance for completing The Nomination Paper

(Document 7 in the Nomination Pack) The candidate’s full surname and all other names must be filled out in full.

You can choose to have your commonly-used forenames and a commonly-used surname on the Ballot Paper and Statement of Persons Nominated, if these are different from your full name. We have the power to reject a commonly-used name if it is obscene or offensive or if we consider that is likely to mislead or confuse electors. There is no need to add a title (e.g. Mr, Dr, Cllr, etc.). If you do add a title, it will not appear on either the Statement of Persons Nominated or the Ballot Paper. You must include the names of ten “subscribers” who support your nomination. These ten people must be registered electors. Their names must be on the UK Parliamentary electoral register that is in force on 1 April 2015, for the constituency in which you propose to stand. The first two are your “proposer” and “seconder”, while the other eight are “assenters” to your nomination. Your subscribers must not have their names on any other nomination form. Each of your ten subscribers must sign your nomination form and provide their electoral number in the space beside their signature. The identifying letters for the polling district – e.g. SWC07D - must also be included. We must reject your nomination if the subscriber information is not correct, so please take time to make sure that this information is all included and is right. You will need to check the electoral register to find the elector numbers for your subscribers. You can see a copy of the electoral register at public libraries in Edinburgh, the National Library of Scotland or at the Electoral Registration Officer’s office at 17a South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9FL. Email [email protected] or telephone 0131 344 2500. If you wish to have a description other than “Independent”, then it must be authorised by a registered political party. A description may be either:

the registered party name; or

one of the descriptions the party has officially registered with the Electoral Commission.

The description and party name must exactly match that given on the Electoral Commission’s register of political parties. It if does not, we must by law reject your nomination.


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If you write the description in capital letters it will be shown in small letters on the Ballot Paper itself, unless it is in capital letters on the Electoral Commission’s register, which you can find at https://pefonline.electoralcommission.org.uk/search/searchintro.aspx

b Guidance for completing The Home Address Form (Document 8 in the Nomination Pack) You must state your full name and home address. Your home address does not need to be in the constituency in which you intend to stand.

The home address must be completed in full, must not contain abbreviations, must be your current home address and must not be a business address.

You can ask that your home address is not published on the Ballot Paper or Statement of Persons Nominated. You do this by signing the statement on the home address form.

If you choose to do this, the UK constituency or country of residence (as appropriate) of the candidate will be printed on both the Statement of Persons Nominated and the Ballot Paper.

c Guidance for completing The Consent to Nomination Form (Document 9 in the Nomination Pack) As a candidate, you must formally give your consent to being nominated. In signing this form the candidate also declares that they are not disqualified from being an MP. Again, you can find more guidance on the Electoral Commission website at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/Candidate-or-agent/uk-parliamentary-general-election-great-britain

d Guidance for completing the Certificate of Authorisation (Document 10 in the Nomination Pack) and the Request for a Party Emblem (Document 11) Your party’s registered Nominating Officer may ask for one of the party’s registered descriptions and emblems to be printed on the Ballot Paper. If you want to use the description and emblem, you will need a Certificate Of Authorisation from them. The Certificate of Authorisation must be delivered by 4pm on Thursday 9 April 2015 and forms part of your nomination papers. You should include the name of the registered party and the name or description you want to use. This must not be more than 6 words in length and must:

https://pefonline.electoralcommission.org.uk/search/searchintro.aspx



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be authorised by a certificate issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of the party;

be nominated by the party’s nominating officer; and

be accompanied by a valid consent to nomination for each Candidate.

A Candidate of a political party who is subject to a Certificate of Authorisation and who wishes to have a party emblem printed on the Ballot Paper must also complete Document 11 – Request for a Party Emblem

e Guidance for completing the Withdrawal of Nominations (Document 20 in the Nomination Pack) If you decide to withdraw your nomination, you must deliver a Notice of Withdrawal to us before the Closing Date (4pm Thursday 9 April 2015). It must be signed by both you and a witness.

3 Paying your Deposit a You must pay a deposit of £500 to stand for election.

We must get your deposit by the Closing Date (4pm Thursday 9 April 2015). If you use an electronic, online or BACS payment, it is your responsibility to make sure that your deposit is actually in our bank account by the Closing Date.

b How to pay your deposit You can pay by legal tender (cash), banker’s draft (where the drawer is a UK bank), credit or debit card (we will charge an extra £6 for credit card transactions), or an electronic transfer of funds. Certified cheques and banker’s drafts should be made payable to The Returning Officer for the Edinburgh *(fill in name of constituency) Burgh Constituency. (e.g. The Returning Officer for the Edinburgh East Burgh Constituency.) Electronic, Online or BACS Payments If you wish to pay your deposit by electronic, online or BACS payment please use these bank account details

Sort code 83-06-08

Number 00740589 Bank name

Royal Bank of Scotland

Currency GBP Branch name

36 St Andrew Square Edinburgh

Short name

CEC-Income account

IBAN GB10RBOS83060800740589

BIC RBOSGB2L

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Make sure your “payment reference” is clear and shows your name or party (maximum 18 characters). If your reference is not clear then the payment might not be accepted, which would cause problems with your nomination. Your deposit is only accepted when the money arrives in the Council’s bank account. It is not enough for you to show us a receipt. It is your responsibility to make sure that we have your deposit in our account by the Closing Date (4pm Thursday 9 April 2015). We recommend you contact the Election Team by e-mail BEFORE making the payment to tell us:

Date money to arrive in the council’s account;

Amount of money;

Name of party /Candidate; and

Contact point in the party if there is a query.

If you do not tell us in advance, your payment may be difficult for us to trace and this may cause a delay in processing your nomination Paying by Cash If you wish to pay cash, please tell the Election Team in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

4 Returning Your Deposit As long as you get the necessary number of votes, we will return your deposit.

The necessary number of votes is one-twentieth (5%) of the total number of votes polled by all the Candidates standing in the constituency. If you do not get the necessary number of votes, your deposit will not be returned but will, instead, be paid to the Treasury. We will refund the money by the next working day after the day on which the result of the election is declared. Document 5 in the Nomination Pack is a form that tells us the details of where you want the deposit to be paid to if we are able to return it.

5 Your Election Expenses A table showing the basis for the calculation of election expenses in relation to

the short and long campaigns shown in Document 16 in the Nomination Pack. Please note that the electorate figure used to calculate the figures is based on the Register as at 2 April 2015, so the exact spending limits cannot be calculated until this number is available. Queries about election expenditure are best directed to the Electoral Commission as they monitor and regulate this area. We just collect the records from you after the election and make them available for inspection.

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6 People that you can appoint to help you in the election a An Election Agent

You must appoint an Election Agent by the Closing Date (4pm Thursday 9 April 2015). You can be your own Election Agent or it can be someone else. You should use Document 12 – Notification of Election Agent to give their name, address and office. Your Election Agent must have an office in the Constituency or in a neighbouring one. If you do not tell us who you want your Election Agent to be, the law says we must assume that you are doing this job yourself and we will publish your name on our formal notice listing the Election Agents for the constituency.

b Polling Agents You can appoint “polling agents” to visit polling stations on Polling Day. Their role is to help detect and prevent the offence of “personation” (where someone votes illegally by pretending to be another person). You must appoint any polling agents by informing us in writing by 29 April 2015 using Document 21 in the Nomination Pack. The Election Team will contact your Election Agent about this as soon as possible after the close of nominations.

c Postal Vote Agents You can appoint agents – “postal vote agents” to be attend the opening of postal vote. They will be informed in writing of the timings for these sessions. The number of agents who may be appointed will be confirmed in a formal notice about the opening of postal votes. Observers at postal vote openings must abide by the Requirement for Secrecy, which is Document 22 in the Nomination Pack. This is a very serious matter and breaches may be investigated by Police Scotland and could lead to fines or imprisonment.

d Counting Agents You can appoint “counting agents” to attend the counting of the votes. Again, this must be done in writing and you need to use the form given in the Nomination Pack. Their role is to make sure that the Count is being conducted properly, scrutinising the processes as the “eyes and ears” of the voters.

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Soon after the Closing Date (4pm Thursday 9 April 2015), the Election Team will let you know how many counting agents you will be allowed to appoint. The law says that this number can be found by dividing the number of staff counting the votes by the number of Candidates standing. However, we sometimes need to reduce the number of agents if the venue cannot safely hold that many people. In this election we expect that you will be allowed to appoint at least 21 counting agents. You must tell us the names and addresses of your counting agents in writing no later than 29 April 2015 using Document 21 in the Nomination Pack.

7 Useful Information for your Campaign a The Register of Electors and the Absent Voters List

Once your nomination has been accepted as valid, you can request a free copy of the register of electors and the absent voters list. By law, you can only use the register and/or list for electoral purposes. To request the register fill in Document 13 in the Nomination Pack – Request for Register of Electors and Absent Voters. We will sign it to confirm that you are a valid Candidate and then send it to the Electoral Registration Officer. You should arrange to collect your copy from them. Normally, it will be supplied to you in data format but you can ask for a paper copy if you prefer.

b List of Polling Places There is a list of all the Polling Places in the Constituency in the Nominations Pack and we have also provided a small map of the constituency showing the location of each (Document 17). We can supply this map as a pdf or as a larger print version although there will be a charge of £20 for an A0 size to cover the costs of production. Contact Fran Cattenach for more information.

8 Conducting your campaign a Conduct and Behaviour

We cannot give you any legal or other advice about how you or your team conduct your election campaign or about how you behave during the campaign. We only run the election, we do not “police” or regulate it. If you have any specific concerns about the behaviour of any candidates or how they are campaigning then you should contact either Police Scotland or the Electoral Commission, as appropriate.

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b Posters and Signage

You must not use street furniture or lampposts to put up any posters or campaign publicity material. If you do then they will be removed and you will be charged with the costs of removal. The decision to prohibit election posters on street furniture was taken by the City of Edinburgh Council on 2 July 2011.

9 Some general information about this election a The Election Timetable

An election timetable showing all the important dates is provided in the Nomination Pack (Document 3) and is also on the Electoral Commission website. http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/word_doc/0005/173066/UKPGE-Election-timetable.doc

b Constituencies in Edinburgh

There are five constituencies for the UK Parliament in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh East;

Edinburgh North and Leith;

Edinburgh South;

Edinburgh South West; and

Edinburgh West. We anticipate that they will all be contested at this election.

c The Returning Officer The Returning Officer for the five Edinburgh constituencies is Dame Sue Bruce. She is also the Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, but that is separate from her role as Returning Officer. The Returning Officer is personally responsible for all aspects of administering the election. For some day to day elements of this work the Returning Officer may appoint “deputes” to exercise some or all of her powers.

d Postal Votes

We will be issuing postal Ballot Papers in batches with the first issue taking place between 20/22 April 2015.

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/word_doc/0005/173066/UKPGE-Election-timetable.doc

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/word_doc/0005/173066/UKPGE-Election-timetable.doc

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Starting on 30 April there will be daily opening sessions for the Postal Vote packs that voters have completed and returned to us. At these openings we only be validate the voter’s identity. The Ballot Papers themselves are kept face down at this time - we do not count any Ballot Papers until 10pm on 7 May 2015. We will send invitations to attend these Postal Vote opening sessions, at least 48 hours in advance.

e Counting of Votes We will provide more detailed information about the count shortly after the close of nominations (4pm Thursday 9 April 2015). This will include information about the Count Centre facilities, procedures and the standards of behaviour that will be enforced. This year the counts for all five Edinburgh constituencies will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (The EICC). The counts will start at 10pm on 7 May, opening the boxes of postal votes that have already been returned. Other ballot boxes will be counted as soon as they have been delivered to the count. There are a range of security measures in places for the transport of ballot boxes and the storage of papers and we can provide full details of these if that would be useful.

The following people are entitled to attend the count:

Returning Officer’s staff;

Candidates and one other person chosen by each of them;

the Candidate’s Election Agent;

any appointed counting agents;

guests invited by the Returning Officer;

representatives of the Electoral Commission; and

any accredited election observers We will provide security passes for each of these individuals. Ideally these passes can be collected in advance but they can also be issued at the reception on the night. They will only be issued to those on the count attendance list and photo ID will be needed. There are usually representatives of the media in attendance, including TV, radio and newspaper journalists.

Further information about all aspects of the election is available

on the Council website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/elections


5 Deposit Return Form

Faster Payment Transfer You have requested a UK Same Day (CHAPS) payment. Please complete details of required payment below. * Candidate/Party please complete the section marked in red

Payment Details

Debit Account

* Sort Code *Official Use

* Account No

*Official Use

8 digits

* Payment Date (DD/MM/YYYY)

*Official Use

* Payment Amount

£500.00

Your reference

*Official Use

Beneficiary Details

* Beneficiary Name

*Name of Candidate/Party Bank Account

Account Details

* Sort Code

6 digits

* Account No

8 digits

Bank Details – Bank Branch Name

Information for Beneficiary

2015 UK Parliamentary General Election Deposit Return

For Treasury use only

Candidate/Party Representative Signature :

Date :

Bankline ref:

Authorised: (Council Use only)

Created:

(Council use only) Dated:

Checked:

Authorised:

To ensure receipt for return of deposit into your account please provide us with your email address;

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

This checklist is designed to assist candidates standing for election to the UK Parliament in preparing to submit their nomination, and should be read alongside the Electoral Commission's Guidance for candidates and agents.

Task Tick

Nomination paper (all candidates)

Add your full name – surname in the first box and all other names in the second

Optional - Use the commonly used name(s) box(es) if you are commonly known by a name other than your full name and want it to be used instead of your full name

Description – Party candidates can use a party name or description shown on the Electoral Commission’s website and supported by a certificate of authorisation from that party; others can use ‘Independent’ (and/or ‘Annibynnol’ in Wales) or leave this blank. Whatever you enter in this box will appear as your description on the ballot paper.

Subscribers – all ten subscribers must sign. Use your copy of the electoral register to make sure the elector number of all subscribers is accurate

Candidate’s home address form (all candidates)

Add the candidate’s full name and home address

Optional - If you do not want to have your home address printed on the ballot papers, complete part 2 of the form, giving the name of the constituency that your address is in (or country if outside the UK), and sign the form

Candidate’s consent (all candidates)

Refer to the Commission’s guidance on qualifications and disqualifications

Add your full date of birth

Sign and date the document in the presence of another person

Get the other person to complete and sign the witness section

Certificate of authorisation (party candidates only)

Ensure the certificate contains the candidate’s full name

Check the certificate allows the registered party name or description given on the nomination paper to be used (or allows the candidate to choose the party name or any registered description)

Ensure the certificate is issued by the party Nominating Officer (or someone that they have authorised to issue it on their behalf) and that it is the original copy signed by that person

Request for party emblem (party candidates only)

Write the name or description of an emblem registered by the party and published on the Electoral Commission’s website

Ensure the request is made by the candidate

Appoint an election agent (all candidates)

Give name, address and office address of the appointed election agent

Ensure the appointed agent signs the form showing their acceptance

Deposit (all candidates)

£500 deposit (to be submitted in legal tender, by a banker’s draft, credit/debit card or electronic transfer of funds by arrangement with the Returning Officer)

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UK Parliamentary General Election 2015 Candidate check list



We, the undersigned, being electors for the said Constituency, do hereby nominate the under-mentioned person as a candidate at the said election

Candidate’s Details

Candidate’s surname

Other names in full

Commonly used surname (if any)

Commonly used forenames (if any)

Description (if any) See note 5 overleaf

Subscribers

Signatures Print name

(optional)

Electoral Number

Distinctive

letter Number

Proposer:

Seconder:

We, the undersigned, being electors for the said Constituency, do hereby assent to the foregoing nomination

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Deliver to the Returning Officer by no later than 4pm on the last day to deliver nominations

Election of a member to serve in Parliament for the

Edinburgh South Burgh Constituency Date of election

7 May 2015

7 UK Parliamentary General

Election 2015 Nomination paper

Notes

1. The attention of candidates and electors is drawn to the rules for filling up nomination papers and

other provisions relating to nomination contained in the parliamentary elections rules in Schedule

1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983.

2. Where a candidate is commonly known by some title he may be described by his title as if it were

his surname.

2A. Where a candidate commonly uses a name which is different from any other name he has, the

commonly used name may also appear on the nomination paper, but if it does so, the commonly

used name (instead of any other name) will appear on the ballot paper.

2B. But the ballot paper will show the other name if the Returning Officer thinks -

(a) that the use of the commonly used name may be likely to mislead or confuse electors, or

(b) that the commonly used name is obscene or offensive.

3. An elector may not subscribe more than one nomination paper for the same election.

4. A person whose name is entered in the register may not subscribe a nomination paper if the entry

gives as the date on which he will become of voting age a date later than the day fixed for the poll.

5. A candidate supported by a certificate of authorisation signed by the Nominating Officer of a

political party (or someone on their behalf) may use the party name or a description allowed by

that certificate and registered with the Electoral Commission. A candidate may stand on behalf of

two or more different parties and use a registered joint description if supported by certificate(s) of

authorisation from each of the parties. Any candidate may alternatively use the description of

‘Independent’ (and/or ‘Annibynnol’ in Wales), or leave the description box blank.

Constituency name Edinburgh South Burgh Constituency

Date of election

7 May 2015

You must complete Part 1

Only complete Part 2 if you do not wish your home address to be made public

Part 1: To be completed by all candidates

Full name of candidate

Home address (in full)

Postcode

End of Part 1

If you are only completing Part 1 please now deliver this form with the nomination paper to the Returning Officer by no later than 4pm on the last day to deliver nominations

Part 2: To be completed only if you do not wish your home address to be made public

If you request that your home address is not made public then your address will not appear on the statement of persons nominated or the ballot paper

If you choose not to make your home address public, the constituency in which your home address is located (or country, if outside the UK) will appear on the statement of persons nominated and the ballot papers

Statement: I require my home address not to be made public

The constituency which my home address is located in: (insert name of parliamentary constituency)

Or

My home address is outside the UK. My home address is located in: (insert name of country)

Signature of candidate completing Part 2

Candidate’s signature:

Date:



Election 2015 Home address form

Constituency name


Date of election

7 May 2015

Candidate’s details and declaration

I: (candidate name in full)

hereby consent to my nomination as a candidate for election as member of the UK Parliament for the constituency named above

I declare that I am not a candidate at an election for any other constituency where the date of poll is the same as for this election

I declare that I am aware of the provisions of the House of Commons Disqualifications Act 1975 (as amended) and to the best of my knowledge and belief I am not disqualified from membership of the House of Commons

My date of birth is:

Day (DD) Month (MM) Year (YYYY)

Note: It is an offence to make a false declaration

Candidate’s signature: Date:

Witness details

I confirm the candidate named above signed this declaration in my presence

Witness

(name in full):

of

(address in full):

Witness’ signature: Date:



Election 2015 Consent to nomination

To accompany the nomination of a candidate standing on behalf of a registered political party

(Note: candidates standing on behalf of two or more parties require a certificate from each party and

each must allow the registered joint description to be used)


Date of election

7 May 2015

This certificate must be issued by the registered Nominating Officer of the party or by a person

authorised to sign on their behalf.

This certificate authorises the candidate to use a specific registered description or the name of the

party as registered with the Electoral Commission, or to use ‘any registered description or the party

name as registered with the Electoral Commission’.

This authorised party name or description can then be included by the candidate on the nomination

form. It is this which will appear as their description on the ballot paper. Party names and registered

descriptions are listed on the Electoral Commission’s website (www.electoralcommission.org.uk).

Details of candidate to be authorised and the allowed description/party name

The candidate

(name in full):

Name of political party:

Political party registered with the Electoral Commission

I hereby certify that the candidate may include the following registered description or party name in their nomination form:

Note: It is an offence to make a false declaration

Signature of party’s registered Nominating Officer (or person authorised by the registered Nominating Officer):

Name of person signing this form:

Date:

This form must be delivered to the Returning Officer by no later than 4pm on the last day to deliver nominations


Election 2015 Certificate of authorisation

This form is for a candidate of a political party who is subject to a certificate of authorisation and who

wishes to have a party emblem printed on the ballot paper next to their name

This form must be signed by the candidate

Candidate’s request for use of an emblem

Constituency name: Edinburgh South

Burgh Constituency Date of election:

7 May 2015

Candidate name in full:

I request that the ballot paper shall contain, against my name, the following registered emblem

(please identify which emblem if the party has registered more than one)

Emblem to be used

(Please use name or description as on Electoral Commission’s website):

Candidate’s signature:

Date:

This form is only effective if delivered for a candidate standing on behalf of a political party to the Returning Officer by no later than 4pm on the last day to deliver nominations.

Candidates standing on behalf of more than one political party and using a joint description may choose one emblem from one of the parties that you are standing for. Please indicate the name of the party and the emblem name in the ‘Emblem to be used’ box above.

UK Parliamentary General Election 2015 11 Request for a party emblem


Date of election

7 May 2015

Candidate’s notification of their election agent

I, (Candidate name in full):

Hereby declare that the name and home address of my election agent is

Agent’s name:

Agent’s address (in full):

The office address of my election agent to which all claims, notices, legal process and other documents may be sent is:

Agent’s office address in full:

Candidate’s signature (or of person on behalf of candidate):

Date:

Confirmation of acceptance by election agent

I [agent named above] confirm my acceptance as the election agent for the above named candidate.

I understand that I must carry out my duties according to law. I understand there are penalties if I fail to fulfil my duties according to law.

Agent’s signature

Date

Agent’s other details in case of query (optional – will not be published)

Home telephone:

Work telephone:

Mobile telephone:

Email address:

Return to the Returning Officer by no later than 4pm on the last day to deliver nominations

Notification of election agent 124

UK Parliamentary General Election 2015

13.

REGISTER OF ELECTORS

UK PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION – 7 May 2015

RReeqquueesstt ffoorr FFrreeee SSuuppppllyy ooff

FFuullll RReeggiisstteerr ooff EElleeccttoorrss aanndd//oorr AAbbsseenntt VVootteerrss LLiissttss

Separate requests are required to be made to Electoral Registration Officer for each of the above

documents. This form has been produced to try to simplify the request process by ensuring the

statutory requirements are met and that the registers and lists issued are in the format the

applicant requires, subject to the Electoral Registration Officer’s ability to meet that request. The

legislation requires only that the data is provided in a format held by the Registration Officer.

PART 1 - REQUEST FOR FREE COPY OF THE ELECTORAL REGISTER

The Representation of the People (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (as amended) provide for the

supply of the Full Register of Electors at Parliamentary Elections.

The entitlement is conferred on candidates and agents.

This means that the appropriate boxes below must be completed to indicate the capacity of the person

making the application. The form also requires to be signed in Part 3 by that person.

Candidates and agents should note the following restrictions on the use of registers provided to them.

THEY MAY NOT SUPPLY A COPY OF THE FULL REGISTER TO ANY PERSON, DISCLOSE ANY

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IT THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EDITED REGISTER OR

MAKE USE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION OTHER THAN FOR ELECTORAL PURPOSES.

I, Name

a candidate at the election OR an Election Agent

for a Candidate Standing Nominated

(please enter an “X” in the appropriate box)

standing for the Parliamentary

Constituency of

wish to request a copy of the register of electors and any notice of alteration to it. I understand that this will

be provided in the form of a consolidated register subject to the fact that further alterations may take place

after the supply of the register.

In either case above, please enter the name of the

relevant political party, or “Independent”, in this box

CONFIRMATION

BY RETURNING

OFFICER

To speed up the processing of a request a candidate or agent may

seek the signature of a member of the Returning Officer’s staff. In the

absence of such a signature the candidature will require to be

confirmed by the ERO prior to the issue of the register.

Returning Officer's Signature

Cont’d Over/….

Unless you indicate, by the entry of an “X” in the box opposite, that you wish your copy of the

register to be issued in PAPER FORMAT it will be issued in data format.

If you wish your copy in data format by e-mail please indicate, by entering an “X” in the box.

E-Mail Please provide e-mail address (BLOCK LETTERS)

The data will be supplied in CSV format.

PART 2 - REQUEST FOR FREE COPY OF ABSENT VOTERS LISTS

These are supplied free of charge by the ERO on written request under Regulation 61(1) of The

Representation of the People 2001 as amended. In this case, the qualifying applicants are as

described in Part 1 above. If you wish to request the issue of Absent Voting Lists please enter an

“X” in the box opposite. It will, whenever possible, be issued in the same format (either data or

paper) as the register.

PART 3 - CANDIDATES OR AGENTS DETAILS

Candidate’s or

Agent’s Name

Candidate’s or

Agent’s Signature

Date

Address

Contact

Telephone No

Contact E-Mail

Address

NOTE - WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATES

Should a candidate to whom a register and or absent voters lists have been issued subsequently not stand

or withdraw from an election, any register or lists in hard copy should be returned to the ERO. Any copy

provided by e-mail should be destroyed. In such circumstances any usage of the register, for any purpose,

may be in contravention of the legislation.

PART 4 - DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS Copies of the register and absent voters lists will be issued as soon as possible

after the receipt of your request. Paper copies may take longer to supply.

1 If you want to collect it from the ERO’s office please enter an “X” in the box. We will advise

you by telephone or e-mail when it is available.

2 If you want to have it posted/delivered to the Candidate’s or Agent’s address shown above

please enter an “X” in the box.

3 If you have requested supply by e-mail it will be issued to you as soon as possible.

Please send this form to:

THE ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICER

17A SOUTH GYLE CRESCENT

EDINBURGH, EH12 9FL

A faxed copy will be accepted. Fax Number (0131) 344 2600

If you need additional information please telephone (0131) 344 2500

Candidates request form PGE 7 May 2015

14.

Guidelines for display of posters

- Following a decision of Council on 2 July 2011, the City of Edinburgh Council

prohibits the erection of election posters and signage on street furniture and

lampposts.

- Any such posters found to be erected on street furniture and lampposts shall be

removed forthwith. The political party or independent candidate responsible for the

erection of such posters may be charged by the Council for the posters’ removal.

15.

Statutory provision for using Schools and Rooms for public meetings

Candidates may want to engage with the public through public meetings where they can promote their views and respond to

questions from the audience.

Under Section 95 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, a candidate at a Parliamentary election is entitled to use rooms

in school premises and other publicly maintainable meeting rooms, free of charge to hold public meetings at reasonable times

of the day and these must be booked by the candidate. This right applies during the period between the publication of the

notice of election (31 March 2015) and the day of the election itself (7 May 2015).

Should you wish to use a school room for election meetings please contact Steven Motion ([email protected])

or Graham Walker ([email protected]).You will need to give reasonable notice, which will reduce the risk of the

request being refused. The council will make no hire charge for these rooms, but you candidates would need to pay for any

expenses such as heating, lighting cleaning and janitorial support and for any damage to the premises.

The obligation to provide rooms in schools is an obligation to provide a suitable room in a school (not an independent school) in

the constituency for which the candidate is standing, or if there is no such school in the constituency, to such a school in an

adjacent one.

The right to use rooms in schools does not authorise any interference with the hours during which a school is used for

educational purposes and as with publically maintainable meeting rooms it does not override any prior letting of a meeting

room.

If you wish to discuss further, contact the Election Team via [email protected] or Chris Highcock, Senior Depute

Returning Officer (0131 469 3126 / [email protected]) to discuss your requirements and what might be

suitable.





16.

UK PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

IN THE

Edinburgh East, Edinburgh North and Leith, Edinburgh South, Edinburgh South West and Edinburgh West Burgh Constituencies

7 May 2015

CANDIDATE’S ELECTION EXPENSES LIMITS LONG CAMPAIGN

The amounts given below are the limits on candidates’ election expenses based on £30,700 + 6p (burgh constituencies) for every entry in the register of electors as it has effect on the last day for publication of notice of the election. (The Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended). The electorate figure is based on the Register as at 2 April 2015, the last day for publication of the notice of election. It must be stressed that these amounts are necessarily only indicative and that candidates and their election agents must ascertain the amounts applicable to themselves by reference to the final electorate figures and the relevant legislation. DAME SUE BRUCE

Returning Officer Constituency Electorate as at 27 Feb 2015 Election Expenses Limit

Edinburgh East

64802

£ 34,588.12

Edinburgh North and Leith

78140

£ 35,388.40

Edinburgh South

63927

£ 34,535.62

Edinburgh South West

70273

£ 34,916.38

Edinburgh West

70581

£ 34,934.86

16.

UK PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

IN THE

Edinburgh East, Edinburgh North and Leith, Edinburgh South, Edinburgh South West and Edinburgh West Burgh Constituencies

7 May 2015

CANDIDATE’S ELECTION EXPENSES LIMITS SHORT CAMPAIGN

The amounts given below are the limits on candidates’ election expenses based on £8,700 + 6p (burgh constituencies) for every entry in the register of electors as it has effect on the last day for publication of notice of the election. (The Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended). The electorate figure is based on the Register as at 2 April 2015, the last day for publication of the notice of election. It must be stressed that these amounts are necessarily only indicative and that candidates and their election agents must ascertain the amounts applicable to themselves by reference to the final electorate figures and the relevant legislation. DAME SUE BRUCE

Returning Officer Constituency Electorate as at 27 February 2015 Election Expenses Limit

Edinburgh East

64802

£ 12,588.12

Edinburgh North and Leith

78140

£ 13,388.40

Edinburgh South

63927

£ 12,535.62

Edinburgh South West

70273

£ 12,916.38

Edinburgh West

70581

£ 12,934.86

17.

UK Parliamentary Elections 2015 – Edinburgh South

Polling District Reference

Polling Place Address

SE16D & SE17L

Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre 5 Moredunvale Place, Edinburgh, EH17 7LB

SE16F T. A. Centre 126 Alnwickhill Road, Edinburgh, EH16 6NQ

SE16G South Neighbourhood Office 40 Captains Road, Edinburgh, EH17 8QF

SE16H & SS16E

Liberton Kirk Halls 28/30 Kirkgate, Edinburgh, EH16 6RY

SE16I Liberton Northfield Church Hall 280 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5UR

SE16J Valley Park Community Centre 37 Southhouse Road, Edinburgh, EH17 8EU

SE16K Gilmerton Community Centre 4 Drum Street, Edinburgh, EH17 8QG

SP08D St. Fillan's Church Hall 4 Buckstone Drive, Edinburgh, EH10 6PD

SP08G Fairmilehead Parish Church Hall 1A Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, EH10 7AA

SS09F & SS10B Polwarth Parish Church Hall 36-38 Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11 1LU

SS10C Morningside United Church Main Hall 15 Chamberlain Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DJ

SS10F Church Hill Theatre - Studio 33 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DR

SS10G James Gillespie's Primary School Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh, EH9 1BD (Enter via Warrender Park Road)

SS10H South Morningside Primary School 118 Comiston Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5QN

SS10I Morningside Parish Church Halls 5 Braid Road, Edinburgh EH10 6AD

SS10J & SS09H Greenbank Church Hall 2b Braidburn Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 6ES

SS15D St. Catherine's Argyle Church 61-63 Grange Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1TY

SS15F Marchmont St Giles' Parish Church 1a Kilgraston Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2DW

SS15G Mayfield Salisbury Church Hall 18 West Mayfield, Edinburgh, EH9 1TQ

SS15I Reid Memorial Church Hall 182 West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh, EH9 3HY

SS16A St. John Vianney RC Primary School 17 Ivanhoe Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 6AU (Enter opposite Woodstock Place)

SS16B & EE16L St. Gregory's R.C. Church Hall Walter Scott Avenue, Edinburgh, EH16 5RJ (Enter via Bellenden Gardens)

TA Centre, SE16F

Greenbank Church Hall, SS10J / SS09H

St Fillan's Church Hall, SP08D

Liberton Kirk Halls, SS16E/SE16H

Reid Memorial Church Hall, SS15I

South Neighbourhood Office, SE16G

Gilmerton Community Centre, SE16K

St Catherine's Argyle Church, SS15D

Church Hill Theatre - Studio, SS10F

Valley Park Community Centre, SE16J

Polwarth Parish ChurchSS09F/SS10B

Mayfield Salisbury Church Hall, SS15G

Fairmilehead Parish Church Hall, SP08G

Liberton Northfield Church Hall, SE16I

Morningside Parish Church Halls, SS10I

South Morningside Primary School, SS10H

James Gillespie's Primary School, SS10G

St Gregory's RC Church Hall, SS16B

Marchmont St Giles' Parish Church, SS15F

St John Vianney R.C. Primary School, SS16A

Morningside UnitedMain Church Hall, SS10C

Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, SE16D/SE17L

SE16K

SE16J

SP08G

SS10J

SS15I

SS16E

SE16G

SP08D

SS16B

SS15F

SS10I

SE16D

SS15G

SS10F

SS10H

SE16I

SS15D

SE16F

SS16A

SS10G

SS10B

SS10CSS09F

SE16H

SS09HSE17L

17.Edinburgh South Westminster Parliamentary boundaries with polling places & districts 2015Produced by City of Edinburgh Council, Corporate Governance,Business Intelligence, 9 March 2015.NOT TO BE REPRODUCED

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number 100023420. City of Edinburgh Council 2015.

·

0 0.35 0.7 1.05 1.40.175Miles

LegendPolling placesPolling district boundariesEdinburgh South Westminster Parliamentary Boundary

Code of conduct for campaigners: electoral registration, postal voting, proxy voting and polling stations

Campaigners are an essential element of a healthy democracy, and their right to put their arguments to voters should be supported and protected. It is equally important, however, to ensure that the activities of campaigners do not bring into question the integrity of the electoral process. This Code provides a guide for campaigners, electoral administrators and police forces to what is, and is not, considered acceptable behaviour at polling stations and in the community during the lead-up to polling day. As a guiding principle, if there is any doubt about a particular activity, campaigners should ask themselves “What would a reasonable observer think?” More detailed guidance about electoral offences can be found in the guidance for candidates and agents, which is available at: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/173020/UKPGE-Part-4-The-campaign.pdf The Code has been sent to all registered political parties in Great Britain, and Returning Officers will draw it to the attention of all candidates and parties contesting elections. Some Returning Officers may identify the need to develop and seek agreement to specific local provisions which supplement the terms of this Code, in order to address identified local risks. Returning Officers must consult with local campaigners and the relevant national Nominating Officers as well as police forces to secure appropriate local agreement to such provisions, and should ensure that they are communicated and well-understood by campaigners locally.

18.

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/173020/UKPGE-Part-4-The-campaign.pdf

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/173020/UKPGE-Part-4-The-campaign.pdf

Scope of this code

This code covers all those actively involved in campaigning in elections or referendums in Great Britain. All references to campaigners in this code include:

Candidates standing at an election, their agents and their staff and supporters

Political party officers, members and supporters campaigning at an election

Other people and organisations campaigning for or against a candidate, a group of candidates or a party at an election

People and organisations campaigning for or against a particular outcome at a referendum

Compliance with this code

Any concerns that this code has been breached should be raised first with the candidate, political party or campaigner in question. Any further concerns should be drawn to the attention of the Electoral Commission. The Commission will raise them with the relevant party or campaigner if appropriate, and will agree appropriate actions to remedy or prevent a reoccurrence of any breach.

1 Electoral registration and absent vote applications

1.1 Campaigners should be free to encourage voters to register to vote and apply to vote by post or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf, if that is the most convenient way for them to vote.

Campaigners can help to inform voters about how to participate in elections, and Electoral Registration Officers should support you by providing you with a reasonable number of registration and absent vote application forms on request. Voters can also register online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote 1.2 Campaigners should ensure that any electoral registration forms and

postal or proxy voting application forms conform fully to the requirements of electoral law, including all the necessary questions and the options open to electors.

18.

http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

You can download electoral registration forms from www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and absent vote application forms from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

1.3 Campaigners should ensure that the local Electoral Registration Officer’s address is clearly provided as the preferred address for the return of registration and absent vote application forms.

To ensure voters can make their own choice about how to return registration or absent vote application forms, you should always clearly provide the relevant Electoral Registration Officer’s address as the preferred return address, even if an alternative address is also given. This will also minimise the risk of suspicion that completed applications could be altered or inadvertently lost or destroyed. 1.4 Campaigners should send on unaltered any completed registration or

absent vote application forms given to them to the relevant Electoral Registration Officer’s address within two working days of receipt.

To minimise the risk of absent vote applications being refused because completed forms arrive with the Electoral Registration Officer after the statutory deadline before a poll, you must ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in forwarding on application forms which you receive directly.

1.5 Campaigners should always explain to electors the implications of applying to vote by post or appointing a proxy.

It is important that electors understand that they will not be able to vote in person on polling day if they or their proxy apply for and are granted a postal vote, and will not be able to vote in person if their appointed proxy has already voted on their behalf. To avoid duplication and unnecessary administrative pressures for Electoral Registration Officers, campaigners should try to ensure that electors who are included in current postal or proxy voter lists, or have already applied for a postal or proxy vote for a particular poll, do not submit an additional application.

Postal vote applications

1.6 Campaigners should never encourage electors to have their postal ballot pack redirected to anywhere other than the address where they are registered to vote.

18.

http://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

Electors should take care to protect their ballot paper and postal ballot pack, and they will be best able to do so at their home address unless there are compelling reasons why receiving the postal ballot pack at the address where they are registered to vote would be impractical. Electors must state on the application form the reason why they need their postal ballot pack sent to another address.

Proxy vote applications

1.7 Electors should be encouraged to explore other options for people to act as a proxy – including relatives or neighbours, for example – before a campaigner agrees to be appointed as a proxy.

To minimise the risk of suspicions that campaigners may be seeking to place undue pressure on electors, electors should not be encouraged to appoint a campaigner as their proxy.

2 Postal voting ballot papers

2.1 Campaigners should never touch or handle anyone else’s ballot paper. If you are asked for assistance in completing a ballot paper, you should always refer the voter to the Returning Officer’s staff at the elections office who may be able to arrange a home visit if necessary. Assistance will also be available for electors at polling stations. 2.2 Campaigners should never observe voters completing their ballot

paper. If you are with a voter when they complete their ballot paper, remember they should always complete it in secret.

You should ensure that the voter seals both envelopes personally and immediately after completing their ballot paper and postal voting statement. If you are asked to give advice, it is acceptable and often helpful to explain the voting process, but do not offer to help anyone to complete their ballot paper. 2.3 Campaigners should never handle or take any completed ballot paper

or postal ballot packs from voters. Wherever practical, you should encourage voters to post or deliver the completed postal ballot pack themselves. If you are approached or asked for help by a voter who is unable to post their completed postal ballot pack or make any other arrangements for it to be returned in time, you should contact the Returning Officer to ask them to arrange for it to be collected. The Returning Officer may agree that it would be in the voter’s best interest for you to deliver the completed postal ballot pack to the relevant office or polling station, if there are no feasible alternative options.

18.

3 Campaigning outside polling places

3.1 Campaigners should be allowed to put their messages to voters on polling day, including in public spaces outside polling places.

Polling station staff and police officers should not seek to discourage or remove campaigners who are otherwise peacefully communicating with voters, as long as they are not within or impeding access to the grounds of the polling place. You should be careful, however, to ensure that your approach is proportionate and should recognise that groups of supporters may be perceived as intimidating by voters. 3.2 Campaigners should keep access to polling places and the pavements

around polling places clear to allow voters to enter. The Presiding Officer is responsible for maintaining order in the polling place, and you may be asked to move by polling station staff or police officers if you are impeding access by voters to a polling place.

4 Complaints and allegations about electoral fraud

4.1 Campaigners should be prepared to give the police a statement and substantiate any allegations of electoral fraud they make.

The police will investigate allegations where someone is prepared to provide evidence or a statement in support of the complaint, but unsubstantiated claims about electoral fraud have the potential to damage confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. You should ensure you are confident that evidence can be provided to the police before considering whether it is appropriate to publicise any specific allegation. 4.2 Campaigners who are concerned or think that electoral fraud may have

taken place should raise the matter with their election agent or local party, or with the relevant Electoral Registration Officer or Returning Officer for the area.

They may be able to explain whether or not an election-related crime has been committed, and refer it to the police if appropriate or provide details of the police contact for the relevant area so that campaigners can report their allegation. Concerns about breaches of the political finance rules should be raised directly with the Electoral Commission.

18.

4.3 Any campaigner who has actual evidence that an electoral offence has

been committed should report it directly and without delay to the police.

If appropriate, the police will investigate the matter. Every police force has designated a Single Point of Contact (known as a SPOC) to lead on election matters and who will deal directly with the matter or give advice to local police officers. The Electoral Commission can help provide contact details for local police force SPOCs. Agreed and effective from [December 2014]

18.

GENERAL ELECTION 2010

Electorate 2010 59,3622010 Turnout (%) 73.92005 Turnout (%) 69.5

Successful Candidate

Majority 316

Candidate Party Votes 2010 2005

Ian MURRAY Scottish Labour Party 15,215 34.7 33.2Fred MACKINTOSH Scottish Liberal Democrats 14,899 34.0 32.3Neil HUDSON Scottish Conservative & Unionist 9,452 21.6 24.1Sandy HOWAT Scottish National Party (SNP) 3,354 7.7 6.2Steve BURGESS Scottish Green Party 881 2.0 3.2

Total Valid votes cast 43,801

Rejected papers

2010 2010 2005

Rejected papers 78 0.2 0.2Total Votes cast 43,879

% share of total votes

Ian MURRAY

Scottish Labour Party

EDINBURGH SOUTH

% share of valid votes

Party share of the valid vote (%)

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

40.0

Scottish Labour Party Scottish Liberal Democrats Scottish Conservative &Unionist

Scottish National Party(SNP)

Scottish Green Party

%

2010 2005

Printed: 04:53 07/05/2010

19.

20.


Date of election

7 May 2015

To the (Acting) Returning Officer for the above constituency

Candidate’s name

Address

Having been nominated as a candidate at the above election I hereby give you notice that I withdraw my name from candidature at such election

Signed (Candidate)

Date

Witness

The above named candidate signed this document in the place above in my presence

Witness’ name

Address

Signature of witness

Date

This form must be delivered to the (Acting) Returning Officer no later than close of nominations for this election.

UK Parliamentary General Election 2015 Withdrawal of candidate

21.

Polling agents can be appointed using this form by the candidate or their election agent. Polling agent appointments must

Local authority / voting area: City of Edinburgh

Name of ward/division/ constituency/ region/ voting area (if different from above)

Edinburgh South

Name of candidate:

Signature of candidate or election agent:

I appoint the following people as polling agents:

Name and address of polling agent (include postcode)

List of polling stations to which they are appointed

Appointment of polling agents – UK Parliamentary General Election 2015

21.

Name and address of polling agent (include postcode)

List of polling stations to which they are appointed

21.

Postal vote agents may be appointed by the candidate or their election agent using this form. Contact the elections office to find out the maximum number that you may appoint.

Local authority / voting area: City of Edinburgh

Name of ward/division/constituency/ region / voting area (if different from above)


Name of candidate:


I appoint the following people as agents to attend postal vote openings:

Name of postal vote agent Address of postal vote agent

UK Parliamentary General Election 2015 Appointment of postal vote agents

21.

Counting agents may be appointed using this form by the candidate. It must be delivered by 29 April 2015. The maximum number of counting agents that may be appointed is decided by the Returning Officer.

Local authority area: City of Edinburgh

Name of constituency (if different from above):

Edinburgh South

Name of candidate:


I appoint the following people as counting agents:

Name of counting agent Address of counting agent (including postcode)

UK Parliamentary General Election 2015

Appointment of counting agents

21.

Name of counting agent Address of counting agent (including postcode)

22.

Notification of secrecy requirements – the poll

Section 66 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as amended)

(1) The following persons –

(a) every returning officer and every presiding officer or clerk attending at a polling station,

(b) every candidate or election agent or polling agent so attending

(c) every person so attending by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting and shall not, except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate to any person before the poll is closed any information as to –

(i) the name of any elector or proxy for an elector who has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at a polling station;

(ii) the number on the register of electors of any elector who, or whose proxy, has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at a polling station; or

(iii) the official mark. [...] (3) No person shall –

(a) interfere with or attempt to interfere with a voter when recording his vote;

(b) otherwise obtain or attempt to obtain in a polling station information as to the candidate for whom a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted;

(c) communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a

polling station as to the candidate for whom a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted, or as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given to a voter at that station;

(d) directly or indirectly induce a voter to display his ballot paper after he

has marked it so as to make known to any person the name of the

candidate for whom he has or has not voted. [...] (5) No person having undertaken to assist a blind voter to vote shall communicate at any time to any person any information as to the candidate for whom that voter intends to vote or has voted, or as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given for the use of that voter. (6) If a person acts in contravention of this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.

22.

Notification of secrecy requirements – postal voting


(4) Every person attending the proceedings in connection with the issue or the receipt of ballot papers for persons voting by post shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting and shall not –

(a) except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate, before the poll is closed, to any person any information obtained at those proceedings as to the official mark; or

(b) except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate to any person at any time any information obtained at those proceedings as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper sent to any person; or

(c) except for some purpose authorised by law, attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of ballot papers the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of any ballot paper; or

(d) attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of the ballot papers the candidate for whom any vote is given in any particular ballot paper or communicate any information with respect thereto obtain at those proceedings.

[ ... ]

(6) If a person acts in contravention of this section he shall be liable on summary

conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment

for a term not exceeding 6 months.

22.

Notification of secrecy requirements – the count


[ ... ] (2) Every person attending at the counting of the votes shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting and shall not –

(a) ascertain or attempt to ascertain at the counting of the votes the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of any ballot paper; (b) communicate any information obtained at the counting of the votes as to the candidate for whom any vote is given on any particular ballot paper.

[ ... ] (6) If a person acts in contravention of this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.