London Election Timetables & Nomination Deadlines

Elections and Campaign Finance England 4 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026 Flag of England

This guide explains election timetables, nomination procedures and key deadlines for candidates and agents working in London, England. Local and mayoral elections are administered by local returning officers under national election law, with practical guidance published by the Electoral Commission and by the Greater London Authority for mayoral/Assembly contests. Electoral Commission guidance[1] summarises nomination steps; borough and GLA pages set local submission points and deadlines.[2]

Timetables & Key Deadlines

Timetables vary by election type (local council, London Assembly, Mayor). Returning officers publish an official Notice of Election that fixes the key dates: close of nominations, deadline for withdrawals, postal and proxy application cut-offs, and poll day. Candidates must consult the Notice of Election for their constituency or ward for exact local times and places.

  • Notice of Election issued: fixed by returning officer (see local notice).
  • Close of nominations: date and time shown on the Notice of Election.
  • Deadline for withdrawals: usually the same day as close of nominations; check local notice.
  • Postal vote application cut-off and proxy deadlines: set in the Notice of Election and national regulations.
Always obtain the official Notice of Election from your local returning officer as your authoritative timetable.

Nominations & Candidacy

Nominations are made on prescribed nomination papers delivered to the local returning officer by the close of nominations on the date in the Notice of Election. Requirements include proposer/seconder signatures and any required assent from electors in the ward or constituency. Candidates for mayoral or Assembly posts follow additional GLA guidance and submission points for London-wide offices; consult the Greater London Authority or the relevant returning officer for exact instructions. GLA candidate information[2]

  • Nomination paper: complete and hand-deliver to the returning officer by the deadline on the Notice of Election.
  • Returning officer contact: contact details appear on the Notice of Election and local authority election pages.
  • Deposit (if required): see the Notice of Election or relevant GLA instructions; if not on the cited page, it is not specified on the cited page.
Nomination forms must be delivered in person to the returning officer unless the Notice of Election states otherwise.

Campaign Finance & Spending Returns

Campaign spending rules and reporting obligations are set out by the Electoral Commission and apply to candidates and agents. Spending limits, permitted donations, and the timetable for submitting election expense reports are published by the Commission and must be followed; check the Commission page for formats and deadlines.[1]

  • Keep accurate records of all receipts and payments during the regulated period.
  • Submit election expenses return by the statutory deadline to the returning officer (see Commission guidance).

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of election law in London involves the returning officer, the Electoral Commission (for guidance and some audits), and prosecuting authorities for criminal offences. Specific financial penalty amounts are not consistently published on the cited municipal pages for local returning officers; where amounts or fixed fines are not shown on the cited pages, this guide states that they are "not specified on the cited page" and points to the responsible enforcement body for action.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; see the Electoral Commission and the returning officer for references to legislation and penalties.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences may be subject to prosecution and court-determined penalties; specific escalation tables are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: court orders, disqualification from holding office, and criminal records may result from proven offences (see prosecuting authority guidance).
  • Enforcer and complaints: report suspected offences to the local returning officer and, for regulated finance matters, to the Electoral Commission (see contact details on their pages).[1]
  • Appeals and reviews: electoral petitions and appeals are heard in court; time limits and procedures are set by statute and the Rules of Procedure—specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
If you are under investigation or charged, seek legal advice promptly about court deadlines and the effect on candidacy.

Applications & Forms

Nomination paper forms and candidate guidance are provided by the returning officer and the Electoral Commission. Specific form numbers may be given on the Commission or local returning officer pages; if a named form or fee is not published on the cited page, it is not specified on the cited page.

  • Nomination paper: obtain from the returning officer and submit in person by the deadline.
  • Election expenses return: submit required form to the returning officer by the statutory date; format and deadlines are on the Electoral Commission page.[1]

How-To

  1. Check the Notice of Election from your local returning officer for the official timetable and deadlines.
  2. Download or collect the nomination paper, complete all sections and gather required signatures.
  3. Deliver the nomination paper in person to the returning officer by the specified deadline and obtain a receipt or confirmation.
  4. Keep full campaign finance records and submit the election expenses return to the returning officer on time.
  5. If accused of an offence or served with a notice, contact the returning officer and seek legal advice about appeals and deadlines.

FAQ

Who issues the key election dates I must follow?
The local returning officer issues the Notice of Election that fixes nomination deadlines, withdrawal dates and poll day arrangements.
Where do I get nomination forms?
Nomination papers are available from your local returning officer and from Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents.[1]
How do I report suspected breaches of election law?
Report concerns to the local returning officer and to the Electoral Commission for regulated finance issues; criminal matters may be referred to prosecuting authorities.

Key Takeaways

  • Always rely on the local Notice of Election for deadlines and submission locations.
  • Deliver nomination papers in person to the returning officer by the close of nominations.
  • Keep accurate campaign finance records and meet expense return deadlines.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Electoral Commission - Candidate and agent guidance
  2. [2] Greater London Authority - Elections and candidates

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