The European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2004

Payment of expenses through election agent

39.—(1) Subject to paragraph (5), no payment (of whatever nature) shall be made by—

(a) a candidate at an election, or

(b) any other person,

in respect of election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate unless it is made 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 or by a receipt.

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

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

(5) This regulation does not apply to—

(a) any expenses which are, in accordance with regulations 40(1) or (2), 44(6) or 45(2), paid by the candidate;

(b) any expenses which are paid in accordance with regulation 40(4) by a person authorised as mentioned in that provision;

(c) any expenses included in a declaration made by the election agent under regulation 41; or

(d) any expenses which are to be regarded as incurred by or on behalf of the candidate by virtue of regulation 55(5)(b).

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