FOI/EIR Requests for Election Matters - Edinburgh

Elections and Campaign Finance Scotland 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 12, 2026 Flag of Scotland

In Edinburgh, Scotland, individuals and organisations can ask the City of Edinburgh Council for recorded information about elections, campaign finance held by the council, polling arrangements and related materials. This guide explains when to use the Freedom of Information (FOI) or Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) routes, who to contact at the council, typical timelines and what to expect when requesting election-related information. It reflects official council procedures and is current as of February 2026.

Requests about personal data are handled separately under data protection law.

How to make a request

Decide whether your query is an FOI request (general recorded information) or an EIR request (environmental information, where applicable). Send requests using the council's published channels and include a clear description of the information, preferred format and contact details. The City of Edinburgh Council publishes guidance and the recommended contact route for FOI/EIR requests on its website Council FOI & EIR guidance[1]. For queries that specifically concern ballot papers, polling places, or the Returning Officer, use the council elections pages and Returning Officer contact information Elections and voting[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Local council pages typically set out how requests are processed but do not always list fines or criminal penalties for refusal; the City of Edinburgh Council pages do not specify monetary fines for FOI/EIR non-compliance on the cited pages Council FOI & EIR guidance[1]. For electoral offences (for example, offences under national electoral law), the council elections pages refer requesters to the Returning Officer and statutory electoral frameworks but do not list specific criminal penalties on the cited page Elections and voting[2]. If the council refuses a request or fails to respond, enforcement and appeal routes are typically via internal review followed by referral to the national regulator where applicable.

  • Fines: not specified on the cited council pages; refer to national regulators for monetary penalties where applicable.
  • Escalation: internal review, then external appeal to regulator or court; timescales are set locally or by statute and are not specified in full on the cited council pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to disclose, court enforcement or judicial review are possible where a public authority has failed to comply.
  • Enforcer/contacts: City of Edinburgh Council departments (Information Rights team and the Returning Officer for election matters) manage requests and complaints.
If you are unhappy with a council response, request an internal review before pursuing an external regulator.

Applications & Forms

The council provides contact details and an online route for FOI/EIR requests on its information rights pages; use the online form or the published email/postal address to submit a request. The cited council pages set out how to submit but do not publish a statutory fee for standard FOI requests on the cited page Council FOI & EIR guidance[1]. If fees apply (for large or repeated requests) the council will notify you with a fee estimate.

  • Form name: use the council's online FOI/EIR request route as published on the FOI page.
  • Deadline: statutory timescales apply for responses; the council page explains standard response times and review steps.
  • Submit to: Information Rights team or the Returning Officer (for election-specific records).

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Failure to respond within statutory time - outcome: internal review and possible referral to regulator.
  • Overbroad or vague requests - outcome: clarification request or refusal with explanation.
  • Withholding under exemptions (e.g., personal data, security) - outcome: partial disclosure or refusal with cited exemption.
Keep a clear record of requests, dates and any correspondence reference numbers.

FAQ

Can I request voting registers or ballot information from the council?
The electoral register and specific ballot materials may be restricted; contact the Returning Officer via the council elections pages to confirm availability and lawful grounds for release.
How long does the council have to respond to an FOI or EIR request?
Statutory timescales apply; the council's information pages explain standard response windows and internal review steps.
What if my request is refused?
Ask for an internal review, then consider referral to the national regulator or seeking legal advice if necessary.
Internal review is usually a required step before external appeal to a regulator.

How-To

  1. Identify whether the information is FOI or EIR and locate the relevant council contact on the FOI guidance page.
  2. Draft a clear request specifying dates, documents and preferred format; include contact details.
  3. Submit via the council's online form, email or postal address as published.
  4. Record the council response, deadline and any reference numbers; if refused, request an internal review.
  5. If unsatisfied after internal review, pursue appeal to the appropriate regulator or seek legal advice.
Retain all emails and reference numbers to support an internal review or appeal.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the City of Edinburgh Council FOI/EIR routes for election-related information.
  • Contact the Returning Officer for polling and ballot-specific records.
  • Request an internal review before escalating to an external regulator.

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