A UK Parliamentary election was held on Thursday 4th July 2024.
At a UK Parliamentary election, registered voters in every area of the country vote for a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent their constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 constituencies in the UK, 57 of which are in Scotland.
For this election, voters were asked to mark their ballot paper by placing a cross [X] in the box next to their choice.
This election was run on UK Parliamentary constituency boundaries which changed recently. There are four constituencies which cover the Fife local government area:
As a result of the recent boundary changes, part of the Clackmannanshire local government area now falls into the new Dunfermline and Dollar constituency.
The Returning Officer is responsible for the administration of the election in their constituency. The Chief Executive of Fife Council is the Returning Officer for all four of the above constituencies.
The counting of the votes cast for the UK Parliamentary Election took place immediately after the close of poll on Thursday 4th July 2024.
At UK parliamentary elections in the UK, you must now show photographic ID to vote in person at a polling station. For more information go to our Voter ID – UK Parliament Election webpage.
If you do not have an accepted form of ID, you can apply for a free voter authority certificate, but you must do this by 5pm on Wednesday 26th June 2024.
Visit the Government's Apply for photo ID to vote - voter authority certificate page.
Back To TopYou can vote in the UK Parliamentary election on Thursday 4th July 2024 if you’re registered to vote and are:
If your name is not on the register, you will not be able to vote.
The last date to apply to be registered for this election is Tuesday 18th June 2024.
You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will need your national insurance number.
Alternatively, you can contact the electoral registration officer in Fife.
If you live in Clackmannanshire you will need to contact the electoral registration officer for Clackmannanshire.
Back To TopThe counting of votes cast for all four constituencies for the UK Parliamentary election was held in the Michael Wood Centre, Glenrothes on the evening of Thursday 4th July 2024.
Back To TopIf you wish to stand for election, you can download a nomination pack and the Returning Officer’s local guidance notes below:
Alternatively, you can collect a paper nomination pack from the election office at Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT.
Nominations will be accepted by the Returning Officer between 10am and 4pm on any working day from Tuesday 4 June 2024. Nomination papers must be returned by hand to the Election Office, Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT. Nominations papers submitted by email or fax will not be accepted.
Candidates are encouraged to make an appointment to submit their nomination papers so that they can be checked prior to formal submission.
The deadline for submission of nomination papers is 4pm on Friday 7th June 2024.
The Returning Officer will hold a virtual meeting after the close of nominations with all nominated candidates and their agents on Friday 14th June 2024 to discuss local arrangements for holding the poll. Invitations will be issued to all candidates and election agents after the close of nominations.
Returning Officer & Election Team Privacy Notice
Security information for potential candidates
The UK government has issued a joint video regarding the safety and security of candidates for the forthcoming elections. You can view this below. It highlights where you can access relevant security advice and guidance that may be helpful to you during an election and beyond.
Back To TopThe last day to apply for a new postal or postal proxy vote, or to change or cancel an existing postal or proxy vote for the UK Parliamentary elections, was 5pm on Wednesday 19th June 2024.
The last day to apply for a new proxy vote was 5pm on Wednesday 26th June 2024.
For more information on how to apply for a postal or proxy vote visit our vote by post or proxy pages. This also includes FAQs on postal voting.
You and your appointed proxy must be registered individually to vote to apply.
If you intend to be away in the run up to the UK Parliamentary elections and cannot get to a polling station in person please contact the electoral registration officer who will be able to give you further guidance on the voting options available to you.
If you live in Clackmannanshire you will need to contact the electoral registration officer for Clackmannanshire.
The first despatch of postal votes for the UK Parliamentary elections for all four Fife constituencies was Wednesday 19thj June 2024 (for any elector who has an existing postal vote or has applied for and been granted a postal vote by Friday 7th June). For anyone applying for a postal vote after this date, they received their postal vote in the 2nd despatch of postal votes on Wednesday 26th June 2024.
Once you've received your postal pack, read the enclosed instructions, mark your vote on the ballot paper, complete the postal voting statement and put these in the envelopes provided.
You need to make sure you send your completed pack back as soon as possible and by no later than 10pm on Thursday 4th July 2024.
If it arrives later than this, your vote won't be counted.
Handling Postal Votes
If you aren’t able to post your postal vote in time, you can take it to your polling station or hand it into the Returning Officer at Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT.
You will be only able to hand in your own postal vote, and the postal votes of up to five other people. You will also be required to complete a Postal Vote Return Form when handing in your postal vote(s) to a polling station or the Returning Officer. Please do not hand over postal votes without completing this form or your postal vote(s) will be rejected.
Campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote, and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives or someone they provide regular care for.
Lost or Spoilt postal packs
If you lose or spoilt part of your postal pack after you receive it, you should call the election helpline on 03451 55 55 22 straightaway for guidance on how to obtain a replacement. Do not destroy your original pack if it was spoilt as you will need to return all of this to us.
Back To TopThe rules for handing in completed postal votes has changed. If you do not intend to return your postal vote via Royal Mail, you must read the guidance below.
Handing in postal votes at the polling station
There is now a limit on the number of postal votes you can hand in at a polling station. You can only hand in a maximum of five postal ballot packs for other electors plus your own.
Where the individual has been appointed as a proxy postal for another elector, handing in the proxy postal would count towards one of the five for other electors.
If an individual hands in more than five postal ballot packs for other electors, all the postal votes (other than their own) will be rejected.
If there is reason to suspect that a person has already handed in the maximum number of postal votes on any previous occasion at the election, any subsequent postal votes handed in will be rejected.
Completion of Postal Vote Return Form
Anyone handing in postal votes must complete a postal vote return form. The individual handing in the postal vote(s) will need to complete the form with their name, address, and the reason for handing in other people’s postal votes (where appropriate).
They will also need to complete a declaration that they are not handing in more than the permitted number, and that they are not a political campaigner.
If the form is not completed in full with all the required information, the postal vote(s) will be rejected. Rejected postal votes will not be included in the count.
After the election, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will write to electors who have had their postal votes rejected, telling them why.
Handing in postal votes to the Returning Officer
Electors sometimes hand postal votes in directly to the Returning Officer in advance of the election, and on polling day itself. The same restrictions, limits, and requirement to complete a form which apply at polling stations, also applies to postal votes handed to the Returning Officer or at council offices.
For the UK Parliament election on Thursday 4th July 2024, The Returning Officer will only accept postal votes handed in personally at Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT.
Postal votes handed in at any other council office will not be accepted as there will be no authorised staff present to provide and sign the postal vote return form.
Any postal votes which are left at any council building without the postal vote return form being completed will be rejected.
The Returning Officer also cannot accept any postal votes which are left in any council mailbox, or which are put into the Council’s internal mail system without the relevant form being completed.
Postal votes which are ‘left behind’
Postal votes will not be accepted if they are simply left at a polling station or a council office.
If a person hands in postal votes without completing the return of postal vote documents form, the ‘left behind’ postal votes must be rejected.
After the election, the ERO will write to electors who have had their postal vote rejected because they were left behind.
Handing in your postal vote(s) to Fife House
Please be aware - you cannot just hand them into reception, leave them on the reception desk, or post them in the mailbox at Fife House. If you do not complete the Postal Vote Return form, your postal vote will be rejected.
Handing in your postal vote to a polling station
Please be aware - you cannot just leave them at the polling station or on the desk if the staff are busy. If you do not complete the Postal Vote Return form, your postal vote will be rejected
Back To TopIf you are registered to vote, you will receive your poll card shortly. For this election, there are several new polling venues.
The 2024 Polling Districts and Polling Places map will show you where your nearest polling station is.
If you are affected by these changes, your poll card will confirm your new polling place.
Back To TopThe days which are disregarded in calculating the timetable are Saturday, Sunday, bank holidays, and any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.
Please be aware that the timetable may change in the event of days being appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.
Event | Working days before poll (deadline if not midnight | Date (deadline if not midnight) |
---|---|---|
Dissolution of Parliament | Thursday 30th May 2024 | |
Publication of notice of election | No later than 25 days | Monday 3rd June 2024 |
Delivery of nomination papers | From the day after the date of the notice of election | Tuesday 4th June 2024 |
Deadline for delivery of nomination papers | 19 days (4pm) | Friday 7th June 2024 (4pm) |
Deadline for withdrawals of nomination | 19 days (4pm) | Friday 7th June 2024 (4pm) |
Making objections to nomination (except for objections on the grounds that an individual candidate may be disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1981) | On 19 days (10am to 5pm), subject to the following:
| Friday 7th June 2024 (10am to 5pm) 10am – 12 noon objections can be made to all delivered nomination papers 12 noon to 5pm only on those nomination papers delivered after 4pm on 6th June |
Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agents | 19 days (4pm) | Friday 7th June 2024 (4pm) |
Publication of statement of persons nominated, including notice of poll and situation of polling stations |
19 days (5pm) if no objections If objection(s) are made, not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than 18 days (4pm) | Friday 7th June 2024 (5pm) If objection(s) are made: not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than Monday 10th June (4pm) |
Publication of first interim election notice of alteration | At 19 days | Friday 7th June 2024 |
Deadline for receiving applications for registration | 12 days | Tuesday 18th June 2024 |
Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes | 11 days (5pm) | Wednesday 19th June 2024 (5pm) |
Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) | 6 days (5pm) | Wednesday 26th June 2024 (5pm) |
Deadline for receiving applications for Voter Authority Certificates | 6 days (5pm) | Wednesday 26th June 2024 (5pm) |
Publication of second interim election notice of alteration | Between 18 days and 6 days | Tuesday 25th June |
Publication of final election notice of alteration | 5 days | Thursday 27th June 2024 |
Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents | 5 days | Thursday 27th June 2024 |
First date that electors can apply for replacement for a lost postal votes | 4 days | Friday 28th June 2024 |
Deadline for appointment of sub-agents | 2 days | Tuesday 2nd July 2024 |
Polling day | 0 (7am to 10pm) | Thursday 4th July 2024 (7am to 10pm) |
Last time that electors can apply for a replacement for a lost or spoilt postal vote | 0 (5pm) | Thursday 4th July 2024 (5pm) |
Deadline for emergency proxy nominations | 0 (5pm) | Thursday 4th July 2024 (5pm) |
Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal | 0 (9pm) | Thursday 4th July 2024 (9pm) |
Deadline for production of temporary Voter Authority Certificates | 0 (10pm) | Thursday 4th July 2024 (10pm) |
Delivery of return as to election expenses | +35 | Thursday 8th August 2024 |
Members of the media must apply for a security pass to attend the count venue. Please read these notes in full before attending the count.
Security/ID passes
Everyone intending to visit the count must apply for media accreditation. Applications for count admission have now closed.
Count admission letters will be forwarded to the named contact as soon after 27th June 2024 as possible.
On entering the Michael Woods Centre, count admission letters must be given to the reception staff in exchange for an ID badge issued by the Returning Officer. This ID badge must be worn at all times whilst in the count venue.
If you misplace your count admission letter, please contact the Election Office immediately for a replacement. If there is insufficient time to issue a replacement, you will be asked to take photographic ID to the venue which must be shown to the reception staff on arrival – this should be in the form of a driving licence, passport or an identity badge issued by an employer. This must be agreed in advance of arrival at the count venue.
Count Venue
Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre, Viewfield, Glenrothes, KY6 2RD
UK Parliament Constituencies
Returning Officer
Ken Gourlay
Count Format Thursday 4th July 2024
We anticipate the declaration for the first constituency will take place at 2am. We are hoping that proceedings will be completed around 4am.
Count Timings
Count proceedings will begin immediately after the close of poll at 10pm on Thursday 4th July 2024.
The count venue will open at 8pm.
Access to set up equipment
There will be access to the count venue between 8am and 2pm on the day of the election to set up equipment. Anyone in attendance at 2pm will be asked to vacate the count centre until 8pm when the venue re-opens.
Car Parking
There are adequate parking facilities at the centre for all attendees.
Media Area
Members of the media will be located in the gallery overlooking the main counting hall. Tables and chairs will be provided.
On arrival at the count venue, members of the media should make their way to the gallery area.
Please note that members of the media are not permitted to enter the main counting hall at any time.
The media area should be vacated within one hour after the close of proceedings.
Communication Team
Members of the Communications Team will be at the count to act as liaison between the Returning Officer/ Count Manager/candidates/election agents and the media. All media enquiries should be directed to them in the first instance.
Wi-Fi Access
Members of the media will be provided with Wifi credentials along with your count passes.
You will not be able to plug any router into the network. Fife Council does not permit third party equipment on our network.
The data circuit is 1gb up and 1gb down.
Fife Council will not support any live broadcast over our infrastructure. Broadcasters must bring their own equipment to allow them to broadcast live, they should not rely on us to be able to do that.
If you have any specific requirements such as video streaming, please advise us in advance by emailing shona.cameron@fife.gov.uk.
Power Requirements
Power sockets are available in the gallery area.
PA system
Arrangements have been made with Apex Acoustics for feeds into the Returning Officer’s PA system. An engineer will be onsite to assist you with your requirements.
Catering
There are no refreshments provided for members of the media at the count venue by the Returning Officer. However, the venue café will be open from 8pm to 2am where you can purchase refreshments.
Further information
A Count Information Pack produced by the Returning Officer, detailing local arrangements for the count and including information, will be issued with your count admission letters.
The Electoral Commission has also produced a general guide to a UK Parliamentary election.
Contact Information
Communications
E: fifecouncil.news@fife.gov.uk
T: 01592 583312
Election Office - Shona Cameron, Electoral Services Manager
E: shona.cameron@fife.gov.uk
T: 03451 55 55 22
The UK Parliamentary Election, also known as the General Election, was held on Thursday 4th July 2024 and saw voting take place across Fife’s four constituencies to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to sit in the House of Commons.
Fife’s four UK Parliamentary constituencies are:
The results can be found on our UK Parliamentary election results July 2024 page.
Back To TopElectoral Services Team
Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, KY7 5LT