Guidance

Election guidance for civil servants

Guidance on the conduct of civil servants in the pre-election period (often referred to as 'purdah').

Published 4 February 2011
Last updated 20 April 2017 — see all updates
From:
Cabinet Office and Civil Service

Documents

General election 2017: guidance for civil servants

HTML

General election 2017: guidance for civil servants

PDF, 300KB, 39 pages

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May 2017 elections: guidance on conduct

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May 2017 elections: guidance on conduct

PDF, 122KB, 10 pages

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Northern Ireland election 2017: guidance on conduct

PDF, 117KB, 7 pages

EU referendum: guidance for UK government departments on activities during the period 27 May to 23 June 2016

PDF, 320KB, 7 pages

EU referendum: guidance for UK government departments on activities during the period to 26 May 2016

PDF, 216KB, 5 pages

May 2016 elections: guidance on conduct

PDF, 198KB, 10 pages

General election 2015: guidance for civil servants

PDF, 455KB, 39 pages

Scottish referendum: guidance for UK government civil servants - in effect from 22 August 2014

PDF, 240KB, 4 pages

European and local elections guidance: 2014

PDF, 197KB, 10 pages

Local and mayoral elections guidance - 2013

PDF, 182KB, 8 pages

Conduct in the period preceding elections to Police and Crime Commissioner roles - 2012

PDF, 188KB, 11 pages

Local and mayoral elections and mayoral referenda - 2012

PDF, 119KB, 6 pages

Elections in local authorities, devolved administrations and UK referendum on voting system - 2011

PDF, 114KB, 10 pages

Referendum on extending the law making powers of National Assembly for Wales - 2011

PDF, 100KB, 9 pages

Details

This guidance covers the conduct of civil servants in the run up to local, national, European elections. It also covers the referendum on the voting system for the UK Parliament, the Scottish referendum and the EU referendum.

Published 4 February 2011
Last updated 20 April 2017 + full page history
  1. General election guidance 2017 added
  2. May 2017 local and mayoral elections guidance added.
  3. Northern Ireland election 2017 guidance added.
  4. Added May 2016 elections guidance
  5. General election 2015: guidance for civil servants published
  6. Removed out-of-date Scotland referendum guidance.
  7. Published Scottish referendum guidance for UK civil servants that takes effect from 22 August 2014.
  8. Scottish referendum guidance updated.
  9. May 2014 European Parliament and local authority elections guidance added.
  10. First published.