Why Register?
Political Parties must register with the Electoral Commission
(
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance/resources-for-those-we-regulate)
in order to contest or field candidates at local government
elections (except as stated below).
A party name cannot be used on a ballot paper unless entered on the
register of political parties maintained by the Commission.
If a party has registered with the Commission, the party name and
emblem(s) are protected, and cannot be used by any other party
contesting seats in the same part of the United Kingdom.
Exceptions:
· A candidate may choose to use the word 'independent' on the
ballot paper
· For parish council (England) and community council (Wales)
elections candidates may use up to 6 words on the ballot paper to
describe themselves without the need to register as a party with
the Commission. (Such parties may nevertheless choose to register
if they wish to prevent other parties using their party name and
emblem(s))
There is no need to register to contest them.
How to Register
An application form and guidance notes on registering as a
political party are available from the Electoral Commission's
website
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/guidance/resources-for-those-we-regulate/register-a-new-party
Registered parties are subject to
the reporting requirements set out in the PPERA in respect of
funding and expenditure. They need to keep the particulars on the
register up to date, report certain donations, provide annual
accounts and, if contesting a particular election, provide details
of campaign spending.
For further information can be obtained from the Electoral
Commission's website
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/
Electoral Commission
Treyelyan House
30 Great Peter Street
London
SW1P 2HW