Acting Returning Officer

The official who runs a UK parliamentary election in a constituency.

Abbreviation: ARO

Also used as: ARO, acting returning officers, (Acting) Returning Officer, Acting Returning Officers

Source / explainer: Read Electoral Commission guidance

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

An Acting Returning Officer is the official responsible for running a UK parliamentary election in a constituency. The role includes managing the nomination process, polling arrangements, postal vote opening, the count and the declaration of the result. The term is important in by-elections and general elections because it identifies who is responsible for local administration of the poll.

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