NI Assembly Election 2022: Guidance for non-party campaigners

The Electoral Commission recently updated their guidance for non-party campaigners campaigning in the run up to the Northern Ireland Assembly election in 2022. Non-party campaigners are individuals or organisations that campaign in the run-up to elections but are not standing as political parties or candidates. This can potentially include voluntary and community organisations.

The guidance provides an overview of the rules in relation to the Northern Ireland Assembly election and covers the regulated period, spending limits, donations, when you must register with the Commission, reporting requirements and key dates and events

In the run up to the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections due to take place in May 2022, it is important for non-party campaigners to be aware of rules and regulations around campaigning during the regulated period.

During the ‘regulated period’, a set time in the run up to an election, the rules on spending and donations apply. The regulated period for the Northern Ireland Assembly election 2022 starts on 5 January 2022 and ends on 5 May 2022.

Regulated Campaign Activity

To ensure transparency, the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) sets out regulations that apply when there is significant spending on campaigning.

During the ‘regulated period’ rules and regulations about how much non-party campaigners can spend on ‘regulated campaign activity’ apply.

The Purpose Test and The Public Test

Through a ‘purpose test’, activities could be deemed as ‘regulated campaign activity’ if they can reasonably be regarded as intended to influence voters to vote for or against political parties or categories of candidates, and might include:

• press conferences or other media events that you organise
• transport in connection with publicising your campaign

The Public Test will regard activities as regulated if they are also aimed at, seen or heard by, or involve the public, including:

• the production or publication of election material
• canvassing and market research (including the use of phone banks)
• public rallies and public events

Regulated Campaign Spending

If an activity is considered as intended to influence voters to vote for or against a political party, or categories of candidates, including campaigns on policies or issues closely associated with a particular party or category of candidates then the spend on them is regarded as ‘regulated campaign spending’.

Limits on Campaigning Spend

The spending limit will depend on whether you are registered with the Electoral Commission as a registered non-party campaigner.

If you are not registered or are not eligible to register, the spending limit is £10,000 on regulated campaign activity in Northern Ireland during the regulated period.

For those who are registered with the Electoral Commission, the spending limit during the regulated period is £15,300 in Northern Ireland.

Can I register with the Electoral Commission as a non-party Campaigner?

Not everyone can register as a non-party campaigner with the Electoral Commission. To be eligible to register, individuals or organisations must fall into one of the following categories:

• an individual registered on a UK electoral register or resident in the UK
• a UK registered political party (including ‘minor’ parties)
• a UK registered company which is incorporated in the UK and carries on business in the UK
• a UK registered trade union
• a UK registered building society
• a UK registered limited liability partnership which carries on business in the UK
• a UK registered friendly, industrial or provident society
• a UK based unincorporated association that carries on the majority of its business or other activities in the UK
• a body incorporated by Royal Charter
• a UK charitable incorporated organisation
• a Scottish partnership which carries on business in the UK

If you are running a ‘general’ campaign and plan to spend more than £10,000 in Northern Ireland on ‘regulated campaign activity’, you can register with the Electoral Commission at any time before or during a regulated period.

You must register with the Electoral Commission before you spend more than these amounts on regulated campaign activity during a regulated period.

You do not need to register with if you are not spending money on regulated campaign activity or are campaigning outside a regulated period or spend less than £10,000 in Northern Ireland during the regulated period. Once you are registered, you will have to comply with the regulations set out by the Commission.

To register with the Electoral Commission you can make an online application by visiting PEF Online or completing Form TP1 and submitting it via post or as a scanned attachment on an email.

Working on a joint campaign with other non-party campaigners may affect the amount you have to spend. For more information on joint campaigns visit Joint campaigning for non-party campaigners

Further Information

Visit Non-party campaigner: Elections in Northern Ireland for a detailed overview of the guidance from the Electoral Commission.

If you require assistance or clarification, you can contact the Electoral Commission via email or on 0333 103 1928.

You can also access the guidance in more detail through the links below:

• Charities running a hustings
• Overview of non-party campaigns
• Factsheet for non-party campaigners: Imprints in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Registering as a non-party campaigner
• Managing non-party campaign spending
• Overview of regulated non-party campaigning
• Joint campaigning for non-party campaigners
• Campaign Expenditure report by a non-party campaigner
• Return of donations by a non-party campaigner

For further information on Charities and Politics visit Charities and politics | The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland