Combined Section 15/16 Manual of the Standards Commission

Appendix 9 - What are election expenses

Section 31 of the Electoral Act, 1997, as amended by section 50 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2001 provides that election expenses shall be those, and only those, listed hereunder:

(a) Advertising (whatever the medium used).

Expenses in respect of such advertising include agency fees, design costs and other costs incurred in connection with the preparing, producing, distributing or otherwise disseminating such advertising.

(b) Publicity.

Expenses in respect of that matter include expenses incurred in respect of party political broadcasts, the provision of any services or facilities in connection with press conferences or other dealings with the media, media advice and training and photography.

(c) Election posters.

Expenses in respect of such material include the costs of the design, production, printing, erection and removal of election posters.

(d) Other election material.

Expenses in respect of such material include the design, production, printing and dissemination of such material (other than posters), including canvas cards, election leaflets, election manifestos, newsletters and other promotional election material.

(e) Office and Stationery.

Expenses in respect of those matters include costs incurred in the rental or use of an office premises or meeting rooms for election purposes (other than for the purposes of annual or other party conferences) and the costs of heating, electricity, insurance, purchase or rental of office equipment, telephones, stationery and postage.

(f) Transport and travel.

Expenses in respect of those matters include expenses incurred on transport and travel (by any means), petrol and diesel, rental or use of campaign vehicles, rental or use of vehicles for transport of voters on polling day, accommodation costs, taxi and hackney services and courier services.

(g) Market research.

Expenses in respect of that matter include expenses incurred in the taking of an opinion poll or other similar survey relating to an election within the period of 60 days before polling day at the election by or on behalf of a political party, a political group or a candidate at the election.

(h) Campaign workers.

Expenses in respect of that matter include payments to campaign workers, insurance and other costs.

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