Generic timetable for general election

Timetable for a UK Parliamentary general election 

The days which are disregarded in calculating the timetable for a UK Parliamentary election are Saturday, Sunday, bank holidays and any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

Please be aware that the timetable may change in the event of days being appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

This timetable is based on the assumption that the writ is received on the day following the dissolution of Parliament. If in a particular constituency the writ is received on a different date:

The notice of election in that particular constituency must be published no later than 4pm on the second day following the receipt of the writ.

The period for delivery of nomination papers will begin from the day after the publication of notice of election. The deadline for nominations will remain the same (i.e. 4pm on 19 working days before the poll).

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Dissolution of Parliament

25 days

Receipt of writ

24 days

Publication of notice of election

Not later than 22 days (4pm)

Delivery of nomination papers

Between 10am and 4pm on any working day after the publication of the notice of election until 4pm on the sixth day after the date of dissolution 

Deadline for delivery of nomination papers

19 days (4pm)

Deadline for withdrawals of nomination

19 days (4pm)

Making objections to nomination papers

(except for objections on the grounds that an individual candidate may be disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1981 – see Commission guidance)

On 19 days (10am to 5pm), subject to the following:

• Between 10am and 12 noon objections can be made to all delivered nominations
• Between 12 noon and 5pm objections can only be made to nominations delivered after 4pm, 20 days before the poll

Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agent

19 days (4pm)

Publication of statement of persons nominated, including notice of poll and situation of polling stations

• If no objections: on 19 days (at 5pm)
• If objection(s) are made: Not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than 18 days (4pm)

Publication of first interim election notice of alteration

On 19 days

Deadline for receiving applications for registration 

12 days

Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes 

11 days (5pm)

Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies)

6 days (5pm)

Publication of second interim election notice of alteration

Between 18 days and 6 days

Publication of final election notice of alteration

5 days 

Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents

5 days 

First date that electors can apply for a replacement for lost postal votes

4 days 

Deadline for notification of appointment of sub agents

2 days