Deposit

A sum of money a parliamentary candidate must pay when standing for election.

Also used as: candidate deposit, election deposit, lost deposit, loses their deposit

Source / explainer: Read Electoral Commission guidance

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

A deposit is a sum of money that a candidate must pay when standing in a UK parliamentary election. The deposit is intended to be returned only if the candidate reaches the required share of the vote. The term is useful when explaining candidate rules, election results and why some candidates are described as losing their deposit.

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