The Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 1999

Payment of expenses through election agent: constituency and individual candidates

36.—(1) Except as permitted by article 38 below, or in pursuance of article 43 or 44 below, no payment and no advance or deposit shall be made–

(a) by a candidate for return as a constituency member or an individual candidate for return as a regional member;

(b) by any agent on behalf of such a candidate; or

(c) by any other person,

at any time in respect of election expenses otherwise than by or through the candidate’s election agent.

(2) Every payment made by an election agent in respect of any election expenses shall, except where less than £20, be vouched for by a bill stating the particulars and by a receipt.

(3) The references in the foregoing provisions of this article to an election agent shall be taken as references to the election agent acting by himself or a sub-agent.

(4) All money provided by any person other than a candidate for any election expenses, whether as gift, loan, advance or deposit, shall be paid to the candidate or his election agent and not otherwise.

(5) The foregoing provisions of this article shall not be deemed to apply to any sum disbursed by any person out of his own money for any small expense legally incurred by him if the sum is not repaid to him.

(6) A person who makes any payment, advance or deposit in contravention of paragraph (1) above, or pays in contravention of paragraph (4) above any money so provided as mentioned, shall be guilty of an illegal practice.