11/11/04 - Report to Ceann Comhairle re European elections of 11 June 2004

Chapter 5 Guidelines and advice issued in relation to the European election

In April 2004, pursuant to section 4(6)(a) of the Electoral Acts, the Standards Commission published "Guidelines for European Parliament Election 2004"

The guidelines were divided into 4 chapters as follows :

• Chapter 1 dealt with the requirements attaching to candidates at the election.
• Chapter 2 concerned the duties and responsibilities of the election agents of candidates with regard to spending at the election.
• Chapter 3 set out the duties and responsibilities attaching to the national agents of political parties with candidates contesting the election.
• Chapter 4 outlined the rules relating to "third parties", "other persons" and the publishers of newspapers, magazines, etc., in connection with the European election.

The guidelines had five appendices. Appendix 1 contained legal definitions of terms used in the guidelines. Appendix 2 provided advice regarding the treatment of the proceeds of fund-raising events. Appendix 3 provided examples of what are normally accounted for as election expenses while Appendix 4 gave examples of items which are often incorrectly included as election expenses. Appendix 5 to the guidelines was a sample Election Expenses Statement form.

Circulation of the guidelines began immediately to all candidates and election agents whose details were known to the Standards Commission at the time. Circulation to other candidates and their election agents continued as and when they became known to the Standards Commission through either direct contact, media coverage or from details provided by the returning officers for the various constituencies (see Chapter 6 below). The published guidelines were also sent to the national agent of each political party and to "other persons" who notified the Standards Commission of their intention to incur election expenses in accordance with section 31(7) of the Electoral Acts (see Chapter 7 below). The Standards Commission is satisfied that a copy of the guidelines was furnished to all relevant persons.

Representatives of the Standards Commission visited each of the four constituencies during the election campaign and met with candidates and election agents to provide advice and assistance regarding the requirements of the legislation. Campaign offices were visited and samples of election material were provided to the Standards Commission. Representatives of the Standards Commission also met with some candidates and election agents after the election to ensure, as far as possible, an accurate and prompt completion of statutory forms and to facilitate the processing of applications from candidates seeking reimbursement of election expenses. The Standards Commission is grateful to candidates, election agents and national agents for their courtesy and assistance during the course of the constituency visits.

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