The European Parliamentary Elections Regulations 1999

Limitation of election expenses of a registered party

15.—(1) Where a registered party stands for election in more than one electoral region at the same general election of MEPs, no sun shall be paid and no expense shall be incurred by the national election agent of that party, whether before, during or after that general election, on account of or in respect of the conduct or management of the election, in excess of the maximum amount calculated in accordance with paragraph (2) below.

(2) That maximum amount is £45,000 multiplied by the number of MEPs to be returned for each electoral region in which the registered party is included in the statement of parties and individual candidates nominated.

(3) Where a registered party stands for election at an election in only one electoral region, no sum shall be paid and no expense shall be incurred by the election agent of that party, whether before, during or after the election, on account of or in respect of the conduct or management of the election, in excess of the maximum amount calculated in accordance with paragraph (4) below.

(4) That maximum amount is £45,000 multiplied by the number of MEPs to be returned for the electoral region at that election.

(5) The references–

(a)in paragraph (1) above to sums being paid and expenses being incurred by the national election agent, or

(b)in paragraph (3) above to sums being paid and expenses being incurred by the election agent,

include sums being paid and expenses being incurred by a sub-agent or a person acting on the written authority of the national election agent or, as the case may be, the election agent or, in each case, a sub-agent.

(6) The maximum amounts under paragraphs (2) and (4) above for a registered party are not required to cover the personal expenses of any candidate on that party’s list of candidates.

(7) A national election agent knowingly acting in contravention of paragraph (1) above and an election agent knowingly acting in contravention of paragraph (3) above shall be guilty of an illegal practice.