A Practical Guide to Election Law

A Practical Guide to Election Law is for electoral law practitioners, election administrators, candidates, agents, party officers, activists, public servants, regulators, voters, and anyone interested in the mechanics underlying our democratic space. It covers seven areas: The statutory scheme created by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 as amended, including: (i) the Electoral Commission, its powers and susceptibility to judicial review; (ii) party registration and reporting of donations; (iii) regulation of members associations, office-holders, non-party campaigners, and unincorporated associations; (iv) offences. The right to vote as enabled by the right to registration. Election campaigns: candidates, agents, expenses and donations, and electoral offences. The administration of elections: from the dissolution of Parliament and notice of election, to the count and its aftermath, via returning officers, presiding officers, polling day, and voting offences. Election petitions: principles, procedure, disqualification and the scope for judicial review. The right to free elections under Article 3 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Reform of electoral law: election integrity, online campaigning, the Commission and more.