Time off for elections

Political restrictions

Employees in politically restricted posts cannot have any active political role either in or outside of work. Check the details of politically restricted posts and the restrictions that apply.

Poll Clerks and Presiding Officers 

You may take one day's paid leave to act as a Poll Clerk or a Presiding Officer at general or local election. This does not prevent you from receiving any fees for this work.

Election candidates and elected Members of Parliament 

Local government elections candidates 

If you are standing as a candidate at local government elections, you can take one day of unpaid leave on the day of the poll. You can take another day of unpaid leave if the count is carried out on a different day. 

Member of Parliament candidates 

Employees standing for election or who are elected as a Member of Parliament are entitled to leave of absence. A leave of absence is a break from your job in which you still maintain your status as an employee. 

You can take up to four weeks of unpaid time off prior to and including the day of the poll declaration. 

If you are elected, your time off will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. As a rough guide, the first 30 days of leave may be paid and the remainder unpaid. 

Booking time off  

Speak to your line manager as soon as you intend to act as a Poll Clerk or a Presiding Officer or stand as a candidate in an election.  

Once agreed, you should book your time off in My Oracle. Periods of paid leave should be recorded under ‘other paid leave’ as ‘public body service’.  Periods of unpaid leave should be recorded in as ‘unpaid leave days’ or ‘unpaid leave hours’.