The Electoral Commission is responsible for:
• registering political parties
• making sure people understand and follow the rules on party and election finance
• publishing details of where parties and candidates get money from and how they spend it
• setting the standards for running elections and reporting on how well this is done
• making sure people understand it is important to register to vote, and know how to vote
• Ensuring boundary arrangements for local government in England are fair
The Commission also provides a wide range of information for the public.
Under the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), the Commission are required to maintain and publish two registers of political parties: one for Great Britain and one for Northern Ireland.
Also a register of who has given money to these parties. They publish research about elections and participation by different groups; and a range of resources for young people about the importance of politics.
The Electoral Commission strives to make sure people understand it is important to register to vote, and know how to vote.
Registering a political party
In order to register a political party in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, there are a number of issues to be considered. Information on registering a political party and all associated issues can be found on their website. To find out more about registering a political party in London contact:
Peter Dawson
Regional Liaison Officer
Telephone: 020 7271 0689
The Commission is independent of the Government and political parties and is directly accountable to Parliament through a committee chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Chair: Jenny Watson
Chief Executive: Peter Wardle
The Electoral Commission
London Office
Trevelyan House
30 Great Peter Street
London SW1P 2HW
Telephone: 020 7271 0689
Fax: 020 7271 0505
london@electoralcommission.org.uk
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/
