Northern Ireland Local Council Elections 2023

With only a few weeks to go until the local council elections, the Commission has issued a reminder that it is vital for charities to be politically independent and not party political.

In general:

• charities should be careful of associating, or becoming associated in the minds of the public, with a particular candidate.
• charities must not assist candidates with their election campaigns, financially or otherwise.
• individual members of a charity may choose to assist any candidate in a personal capacity, but officers and employees of a charity should not use their position in any campaigning activities in such a way as to suggest that the charity endorses any candidate.

 The Commission has Charities and politics guidance to assist charity trustees coming up to an election. The Electoral Commission also has non-party campaigner guidance and where to start guidance. This includes advice for charities on applying the purpose test to their campaigning activities.
 
If you have any specific questions about the rules you can contact the Electoral Commission at: infonorthernireland@electoralcommission.org.uk or by calling on 0333 103 1928.