Pre-election period - what you need to know

​13 March – 4 May 2017 = pre-election period. 

This is the run up to the local goverment elections, a period in which special rules come into force governing what we can and cannot do as council officers. In short it is business as usual, but with some changes. 

Click here to see our pre-election page, read the guidance and watch our Head of Legal and Governance explain it all. Or email preelection.guidance@aberdeenshire.gov.uk if you have any questions. 

To summarise: 

Do…

• Serve the Council, rather than any political party or group.

   

• Carry out your duties in a politically neutral way; be impartial.

   

• Make sure Council facilities or staff are not used for political purposes e.g.  room bookings, equipment, research etc.

   

• Take particular care that any publicity issued before an election cannot be perceived as seeking to influence public opinion or to promote a particular candidate or political group.

• Get clearance from the Communications Team for press releases and publicity materials.

   

• Get advice if you are organising any public event even if the event has already been organised.

   

• Ensure political balance.

   

• Ask what use Council photographs or other materials will be put to.

   

• Treat everyone participating in the political process fairly and without prejudice.

   

  Don’t…

   

• Use Council resources like stationery, word processing and communications for campaigning/ party political activities or for private purposes.

   

• Publish material that appears designed to get support for a political party or candidate

   

• Give financial or other assistance to anyone in publishing material which appears designed to get support for a political party or candidate.

   

• Issue publicity dealing with controversial issues or reporting views or policies in a way that may identify them with candidates or political parties.