Security guidance for elections

There are a number of security considerations that need to be made both by those planning and those running for elections.

This collection of guidance provides advice on good security practice for candidates and those in local authorities. Much of this advice will be relevant all year round.

For candidates we recommend that you read:

1. Cyber security guidance for individuals in politics - advice on how to protect against common cyber attacks seen against individuals in politics.
2. Joint guidance for candidates in elections (pdf, 570 KB) - advice on recognising and responding to intimidatory behaviour.
3. Online Security Information for Candidates May Elections - guidance from social media platforms to secure your account and how to report incidents of online abuse.
4. CyberAware - guidance on how to stay secure online, including access to a free, tailored cyber action plan.
5. Social Media: how to use it safely - guidance on using privacy settings across social media platforms to manage your digital footprint. The ‘spotting and reporting fake accounts’ section may be of particular interest.

If you are a Returning Officer, or are helping run elections for your local authority, we recommend that you read:

1. Cyber security election guidance for local authorities - advice on good cyber security practices to protect systems that support elections.
2. Election security for polling stations and counting venues (PDF) (PDF, 1.21 MB, 28 pages) - guide to assist Returning Officers with the physical security arrangements needed for elections.

In addition, the Cabinet Office has published specific guidance on COVID-secure elections campaigning. The Electoral Commission has updated its core guidance for Returning Officers to support the delivery of the May 2022 polls.

Departmental co-owners

Departmental co-owners of the Security guidance for elections are:

• Cabinet Office
• Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
• Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI)
• National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
• The Electoral Commission
• The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• College of Policing
• National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)
• Counter Terrorism Policing

Guidance for candidates on submitting nomination papers

• Combined authority mayoral elections in England: standing as an independent candidate; standing as a political party candidate
• Local elections in England: standing as an independent candidate; standing as a political party candidate
• Parish council elections in England: standing as an independent candidate; standing as a political party candidate
• Local Authority mayoral elections in England: standing as an independent candidate; standing as a political party candidate