How long we keep your information

We will keep your information only for as long as is necessary to carry out our statutory duties. This page explains how long different types of information are retained.

Electoral register

Information that appears on the published electoral register is kept in archive copies.

These archive registers can be inspected after 10 years.

Election paperwork

Most paperwork relating to an election is kept for 12 months. After this time, it is securely destroyed.

There are legal restrictions on what can be inspected and by whom.

Candidate spending returns

Returns of candidate election expenditure are kept for 2 years. After this, they are either returned to the candidate or securely disposed of.

Page last updated: 24 April 2026