Challenge an election result
How to make a challenge
To challenge an election you must apply to the Election Petitions Office. This is called issuing an election petition.
You鈥檒l need to send:
- an election petition
- an application to pay 鈥榮ecurity for costs鈥�
The Election Petitions Office will stamp the petition before you send (鈥榮erve鈥�) it to the people you鈥檙e complaining about (鈥榯he respondents鈥�). You can then apply to set a date for a hearing.
What to include in the petition
Your petition must say:
- why you鈥檙e allowed to challenge the election result
- the date and result of the election
- the reason you鈥檙e challenging the result, for example you think the votes were counted incorrectly
- what you would like to happen, for example a recount
For a UK Parliament election, you must also give the date the result was given to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. The person who oversaw the election (the 鈥榬eturning officer鈥�) can tell you this.
You can use a template to help you write the petition.
You must sign the petition. You cannot ask a solicitor to sign it for you. If you鈥檙e part of a group, you must all sign.
Application for 鈥榮ecurity for costs鈥�
You鈥檒l need to make an application to pay 鈥榮ecurity for costs鈥�. This covers the cost of going to court.
Fill in form N244 (the 鈥榓pplication notice鈥�) and send it with your petition.
Send your challenge
Send your petition and your application to pay 鈥榮ecurity for costs鈥� to the Election Petitions Office, along with your fees. The fees are:
- 拢626 to issue a petition
- 拢119 to apply for 鈥榮ecurity for costs鈥�
Make your cheque or postal order payable to 鈥楬M Courts and Tribunals Service鈥�.
You may be able to get help with court fees if you have little or no savings, are on certain benefits or have a low income.
The Election Petitions Office must receive your petition by the last day you鈥檙e allowed to challenge the result.
Election Petitions Office
Room E105
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Election Petitions Office
[email protected]
Phone: 0207 947 6877
Find out about call charges
You can also hand in your petition in person. The Election Petitions Office is open on weekdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
On the last day you鈥檙e allowed to apply, you can apply any time before midnight. Put your petition in the letterbox outside room E110 if the office is closed.
Call the Royal Courts of Justice if you need to get access to the letterbox.
Royal Courts of Justice
Phone: 0207 947 6000
Find out about call charges
You must make a statement (鈥榮wear an affidavit鈥�) the next working day in front of a solicitor or a notary public. Your statement must confirm the day and time when you put the petition in the letterbox.