Article 55 Meaning of Election Expenses
In this part of this Order “election expenses” in relation to a candidate at an election, means (subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) and articles 56 and 57 below) any expenses incurred in respect of–
the acquisition or use of any property, or
the provision by any person of any goods, services or facilities,
which is or are used for the purposes of the candidate’s election after the date when he becomes a candidate at the election.
Paragraph (1) above applies whether the expenses are incurred before or after that date.
No election expenses shall be regarded as incurred, by virtue of paragraph (1) or (2) above or articles 56 and 57 below, in respect of–
the payment of any deposit required by rule 11 of the Scottish Parliamentary Election Rules set out in Schedule 2 to this Order;
the publication of any matter, other than an advertisement, relating to the election in–
a newspaper or periodical,
a broadcast made by the British Broadcasting Corporation or by Sianel Pedwar Cymru, or
a programme included in any service licensed under Part I or III of the Broadcasting Act 1990 or Part I or II of the Broadcasting Act 1996;
the provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any right conferred on candidates at an election by this Order other than facilities in respect of which expenses fall to be defrayed by virtue of articles 63 and 64 below;
the provision by any individual of his own services which he provides voluntarily in his own time and free of charge.
In this article and in articles 56 and 57 below “for the purposes of the candidate’s election” means with a view to, or otherwise in connection with, promoting or procuring the candidate’s election at the election.
For the purposes of this Order–
election expenses are incurred by or on behalf of a candidate at an election if they are incurred–
by the candidate or his election agent, or
by any person authorised by the candidate or his election agent to incur the expenses; and
any reference to election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate at an election includes expenses which are incurred as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) above before the date when he becomes a candidate at the election but which by virtue of paragraphs (1) and (2) above fall to be regarded as election expenses.
In this Order, any reference (in whatever terms) to promoting or procuring a candidate’s election at an election includes doing so by prejudicing the electoral prospects of another candidate at the election.