Pre-election period

The pre-election period describes the period of time beginning with the publication of a notice of election. During this time specific restrictions on communications activity are in place.

This guidance note provides advice on the restrictions that apply and should be observed from 00.01hrs on Saturday 25 May 2024.

The Pre-Election Period (PEP) applies to the activities of Uttlesford District Council during the run up to the election and the advice is consistent with previous advice from the council.
 

Guidance for council members and officers

What is PEP?

On 4 July 2024 the UK General Elections will be held in electoral wards in Uttlesford.

During the period between the date on which the Notice of Election is published (25 May 2024) and polling day (4 July 2024) there are restrictions that apply to the way in which the council operates, including use of council resources and to the publicity which it can issue. PEP is sometimes also referred to under the old terminology of purdah, but the two terms have the same meaning.

When is the PEP?

PEP runs from 25 May 2024 until 4 July 2024 (polling day) inclusive of both dates. This does not affect the day of the count on 5 July.

Why does PEP impose restrictions?

The purpose of PEP is to ensure that the council remains neutral in the elections and does not appear to be supporting any particular political party or candidate in the elections. There are also some statutory restrictions. Some of these apply all the time, but have more significance immediately before elections.

The main statutory provision is Section 2 and 4 of the Local Government Act 1986 which prohibits the council from issuing any material which wholly or in part appears to support a political party/candidate. Section 4 of the Act makes it clear that a council must have regard to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.

Publicity is defined as "any communication in whatever form addressed to the public" (or a section of the public) and includes press releases, magazines, newsletters and other publications, information on the council's website and consultations. It also includes social media which may broadly be defined as any external communication channel by which can be accessed by a large number of people (e.g. Twitter, Facebook).
 

Practical guidance

The following is intended to provide practical guidance to members and officers on what can and cannot be done during PEP.

The guidance deals with the issues most likely to arise, but it cannot cover everything. The guiding principle is whether a proposed course of action may cause the council to be perceived as favouring a particular political party or candidate in the elections.

The council's business should continue as normal during PEP subject to this guiding principle and the following restrictions:

1. No press releases, or other publicity, should be issued quoting any member.
    
2. Council publications should not refer to or identify members by name or contain statements or quotes from members.
    
3. Quotes in press releases and other publicity should be from an officer.
    
4. Press releases, other publicity, officer quotes and statements must be neutral in tone, avoid controversy and avoid association with any political party or candidate in the elections, or with the policy or programme of any political party or candidate. This also applies to any displays or exhibitions on council premises or which the council is promoting or sponsoring, whether or not the material which is the subject of the exhibition or display has been produced by or on behalf of the council.
    
5. Member contact details and member information will remain on the council's website.
    
6. The Leader or relevant Executive Member may comment on emergency situations or where there is a genuine need for a member response to an important event outside the Council's control.
    
7. Members may continue with their everyday constituency work, including correspondence from constituents.
    
8. Officers should continue to keep Members informed on matters relating to their ward or portfolio as normal. members should use such information only for the purposes of their role as a councillor and not for any purpose connected with the elections.
    
9. New policies or initiatives should not be announced or commenced during PEP unless these are unavoidable or clearly not politically controversial. Any new policies or initiatives that are announced or commenced should be presented neutrally and not be associated with any political party or candidate.
    
10. The council should not commence any consultations during PEP unless they are unavoidable or required by law, in which case they should be presented neutrally and not associated with any political party or candidate.
     
11. Officers should not arrange events to highlight a council service, to celebrate completion of or commencement of a new initiative, or hold an open day during PEP.
     
12. Officers should not hold or attend meetings with candidates in the elections or with prominent political figures unless these are part of normal business and clearly not contentious. If officers have any concerns about holding or attending any meeting involving a candidate in the elections or a political figure they should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.
     
13. The Chairman of the Council may continue to attend civic functions, receive publicity and be quoted in council publications or otherwise, provided that the functions are genuinely civic in nature and not used, and provided that any attendant publicity or statements are not used, for canvassing.
     
14. The PEP restrictions apply to the council, to publicity issued by or on behalf of the council and to the use of council resources and facilities. They do not prevent members from contacting the press themselves, making political statements, organising photo shoots or engaging in political activity generally. However, they must not use council resources or facilities to do so.
     
15. PEP does not apply to the media who do not have to adapt their coverage or refrain from asking candidates or members for political comment.

If a member or officer is unsure as to whether anything is affected by PEP, or if they have a general concern, they should err on the side of caution and contact the Monitoring Officer or the Electoral Services Manager.
 

Further guidance

For further details please read the full guidance in the Local Government Association's guide and FAQs.

Guide to using social media during pre-election period on the Local Government Association (LGA) website.

FAQs about pre-election period on the LGA website.