What is the Pre-Election Period?
The pre-election period describes the period of time immediately before elections or referendums when specific restrictions on communications activity are in place. The term ‘heightened sensitivity’ is also used. It was formerly called ‘Purdah’ which originally comes from the Persian word for “curtain” or “veil” and was used in British politics to describe the period of heightened sensitivity before elections when government, central and local departments must operate under certain constraints.
When does it apply?
The pre-election period for local authorities will start from the publication of a notice of election. For the elections on 1st May 2025 this will be no later than Tuesday 25 March 2025.
Local government sometimes views this period as a time when communications have to shut down completely. This is not the case, and the ordinary functions of councils can continue – such as factual information about elections – but some restrictions may be imposed by law. This guidance sets out what this means in practice.
Scheduled elections are being held on Thursday 1 May 2025. Durham County Council have information on the May 2025 elections on their website.
Key restrictions during pre-election period:
The pre-election restrictions are governed by Section 2 of the Local Government Act 19862, as amended in 1988.3 Essentially councils should ‘not publish any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party’.
Section 44 of the Act makes clear that councils need to have regard to the Code of Recommended Practice. The essential points from the Code of Recommended Practice are:
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- In general you should not issue any publicity which seeks to influence voters (an exception being situations covered by legislation or regulations directing publication of information for explanatory purposes).
- Particular care should be taken between the time of publication of a notice of an election and polling day.
- Consider suspending the hosting of third party material or closing public forums if these are likely to breach the Code of Recommended Practice.
- Do not publish any publicity on controversial issues or report views on proposals in a way which identifies them with candidates or parties.
- Publicity relating to individuals involved directly in the election should not be published unless expressly authorised by statute.
- You are allowed to publish factual information which identifies the names, constituencies and parties of candidates at elections.
- Section 4A of the Act enables the Secretary of State to issue a direction to an authority to comply with the Code.
During the pre-election period you are allowed to:
- You are allowed to:
- continue to discharge normal council business (including budget consultations or determining planning applications, even if they are controversial)
- publish factual information to counteract misleading, controversial or extreme (for example, racist/sexist) information.
Why it matters:
Purdah helps ensure that:
- Incumbent governments don’t abuse their position
- Public resources aren’t used for party political purposes
- Civil servants maintain their traditional political neutrality
- All parties compete on a more level playing field
These restrictions help protect the democratic process by preventing the government from using its position of power to influence election outcomes unfairly.
Further information can be found on the electoral commission website.
