Election Reporting in the UK | UK JournoHub

Last reviewed: 17 May 2026Next review due: 17 November 2026

What is the election reporting beat?

Election reporting covers general elections, devolved elections (Scottish Parliament, Senedd, Northern Ireland Assembly), local elections, by-elections, mayoral elections, and referendums. In the UK, elections occur at multiple levels throughout the year — there is almost always an upcoming election for journalists to cover.

Election journalism is legally sensitive: specific criminal offences apply to how elections are reported (exit polls, false statements about candidates) and broadcast journalists face strict Ofcom impartiality rules. Print and online journalists have more latitude but still face real legal risk. The growth of social media has added new dimensions — disinformation, foreign interference, and digital campaign finance require active scrutiny during every campaign.

Why election reporting matters

1Elections are the mechanism of democratic accountability — how they are covered shapes how people understand their choices.
2Misinformation about voting processes and candidate records has measurable effects on turnout and vote choice.
3Campaign finance violations are often under-reported — the Electoral Commission publishes spending returns that are primary source material.
4Candidate verification matters: candidates with undisclosed criminal records, false biographical claims, or conflicts of interest regularly stand.
5Social media has created new election influencer ecosystems that require active journalistic scrutiny.

Core legal risks for election reporters

Section 66A RPA 1983 — exit poll ban

Publishing any survey or forecast of how a person voted before polls close is a criminal offence. For general elections: do not publish any exit poll data before 10pm on election day. This includes 'hinting' at the exit poll result, publishing leaked data, or retweeting posts that contain it.

Section 106 RPA 1983 — false statements about candidates

It is an illegal corrupt practice to publish a false statement of fact about a candidate's personal character or conduct before or during an election with a view to affecting how they are voted for. This is not the same as defamation but may overlap with it. The statement must be about personal character — not policy positions. Truth is an absolute defence.

Ofcom Code Section 6 — broadcast due impartiality

Broadcasters must apply due impartiality in election coverage. This does not mean equal time for all candidates, but proportionate coverage. Ofcom issues specific guidance before each election cycle. Failure to comply can result in Ofcom sanctions, including fines and broadcast licence reviews. This does not apply to print or online-only publishers.

Digital imprint rules

Political campaigning material published online must carry a digital imprint during the regulated period — the name and address of the promoter and any person on whose behalf the material is published. The Elections Act 2022 introduced new digital imprint requirements. Failure to include a compliant imprint is an offence. Journalists should check for imprints on campaign material they are reporting on.

Defamation during campaigns

The pace of election coverage can lead to accuracy failures — publishing false claims about a candidate's record, history, or statements. The truth and public interest defences still apply. Be especially careful about unverified social media content during campaigns, where disinformation spreads rapidly.

Key data sources for election reporters

Electoral Commission ↑

Campaign spending returns, party donations, candidate nomination information, and election results.

results.elections.gov.uk ↑

Official UK election results database — general election results by constituency.

UK Parliament — election statistics ↑

House of Commons Library election data — turnout, majority sizes, swing calculations, and historical results.

Who's My MP? ↑

Find and verify current MPs by constituency — check biographical and contact information.

Ofcom — election impartiality guidance ↑

Ofcom publishes specific guidance and candidate lists for broadcasters before each election.

Full Fact ↑

Real-time election fact-checking — claims made during campaigns checked against the evidence.

Candidate verification checklist

Confirm nomination via the returning officer's official notice of poll — party press releases are not sufficient verification
Check the candidate's full name and address as declared on the nomination form
Search the candidate's name on Companies House for directorships, disqualifications, and insolvencies
Check the electoral register for the candidate's declared address
Review previous election results and public statements — verify claimed credentials and experience
Check for county court judgments, bankruptcy orders, or criminal convictions in public court records
Review the candidate's social media history for past statements that may be relevant to their candidacy

Key organisations and contacts

Electoral Commission

Regulates elections, campaign finance, and electoral integrity — press office and data portal.

Local returning officers

Run individual elections — primary contact for nomination verification and results.

Ofcom

Broadcast regulator — Section 6 guidance and complaints about election impartiality.

DCMS

Department responsible for digital imprint regulations and online election rules.

Full Fact

Independent fact-checking during election campaigns.

Institute for Government

Government transition and election logistics analysis.

Open Data Manchester / Democratic Audit

Academic and civil society resources for election data analysis.

Party press offices

Manifesto launches, candidate launches, and briefings — but treat all partisan material critically.

Jargon glossary

Boundary review

The process by which constituency boundaries are redrawn — major story source every 5-8 years.

Close of nominations

The deadline by which candidates must file their nomination papers — usually around 3-4 weeks before polling day.

Deposit

A financial deposit (currently £500 for Westminster) that candidates must pay and lose if they receive less than 5% of the vote.

Dissolving Parliament

The formal act that ends a Parliament and triggers a general election.

Exit poll

A survey of voters leaving polling stations — subject to strict publication restrictions before polls close.

Notice of poll

The official document published by the returning officer listing all validly nominated candidates.

Regulated period

The period during which election spending limits and imprint rules apply — varies by election type.

Returning officer

The official responsible for running a particular election — usually the local authority chief executive.

Swing

The change in vote share between parties — a key metric for projecting election outcomes.

Writ

The formal instruction issued by the Lord Chancellor to a returning officer to hold an election.

Story ideas and angles

1.Campaign spending audit: check the Electoral Commission returns for your constituency after each election — who overspent?
2.Social media imprints: during a campaign, systematically audit political advertising for missing or non-compliant digital imprints.
3.Candidate records: build profiles of all candidates in a key seat — check Companies House, court records, and past public statements.
4.Turnout analysis: what is driving low turnout in specific wards or constituencies — and who is being disenfranchised?
5.Voter registration: has your local authority taken steps to increase registration among under-registered groups?
6.Election night logistics: how is your local returning officer planning to run the count — what are the key milestones?
7.Boundary changes: how will the new constituency boundaries affect representation and party competition in your area?

Related guides

Politics & Parliament Reporting

Hansard, lobby system, interests register, and Whitehall.

Defamation Risk Checklist

False statements about candidates and pre-publication risk.

Ethics Hub

Impartiality, fact-checking obligations, and editorial standards.

Tools Hub

Tools for data analysis, fact-checking, and election coverage.

Primary sources

Frequently asked questions

When can exit poll results be published?

Section 66A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 prohibits publishing the result of any exit poll before polling stations have closed. In a UK general election, this means 10pm on polling day. Publishing exit poll results before 10pm is a criminal offence carrying a fine. This applies to online publication as well as broadcast and print. The prohibition covers the results of any survey or forecast designed to ascertain how a person voted — not just official broadcaster exit polls.

What are the broadcast impartiality rules during an election?

Ofcom's Broadcasting Code Section 6 requires broadcasters to give due weight to main parties and significant minor parties during electoral periods. This applies throughout the formal campaign period and may be interpreted more stringently in the final days before polling. Broadcasters must apply 'due impartiality' — not necessarily equal time, but appropriate proportionality. Ofcom issues specific guidance for each election. Print and online journalists are not legally required to be impartial, but IPSO's accuracy requirements still apply.

How do I verify that a candidate is standing?

Candidates must be officially nominated and their nominations are confirmed by the returning officer. The formal statement of nominated candidates (the notice of poll) is published by the returning officer after the close of nominations — usually around three weeks before polling day. Before the close of nominations, treat candidate lists from parties as provisional. Always verify with the returning officer for your constituency. Electoral Commission and council websites often publish nomination forms.

What is the electoral period and when do campaign finance rules apply?

The regulated period for most UK elections starts several months before polling day (e.g. for general elections, from the day Parliament is dissolved). During the regulated period, campaign spending by candidates and parties is subject to Electoral Commission limits and must be declared. Publications produced during the regulated period that promote a candidate must include an imprint (publisher's name and address). Digital and online campaign material produced during the regulated period also requires an imprint — the Electoral Commission publishes guidance on digital imprints.

Can social media posts constitute illegal campaign material?

Yes. The Electoral Commission's digital imprint requirements apply to campaign material published online during the regulated period. Posts that promote or disparage a candidate or party produced by or on behalf of a candidate must carry a digital imprint. There have been several investigations and convictions relating to illegal social media campaign activity. As a journalist, be alert to campaign material online that lacks the required imprint — this is itself a story. Also be alert to coordinated inauthentic behaviour, foreign interference, and undisclosed campaign accounts.