LOCAL ELECTIONS ‘26: What is ‘Purdah’ and are we in it?
With the run up to the May 7 local elections just five weeks away, you may find yourself hearing the word ‘Purdah’ mentioned in the press and on TV from time to time. But what does it actually mean, and – more importantly – what is it all about?
Here’s a brief rundown
What does Purdah mean?
‘Purdah’ is originally a Hindustani word which translates literally into English as ‘curtain’ or ‘veil’.
Over time, the word came to prominence within British politics to represent the extended sense of “a period of seclusion or isolation” experienced when national parliaments and local authorities would effectively close down in the run-up to an election.
While ‘Purdah’ is still in use, most public bodies and media outlets now prefer to use the term “pre-election period of sensitivity” whenever an election is on the horizon. ‘Heightened sensitivity’ – which means exactly the same thing – is another term you may hear.
So, what is it all about, in a nutshell?
The pre-election period of sensitivity is essentially an agreed amount of time immediately before an election when specific restrictions on publicity are in place.
For clarity, publicity is defined as “any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or to a section of the public.”
The whole point of the pre-election period of sensitivity is to ensure neutrality and prohibit the use of public funds for publicity that could influence voters or favour candidates via press releases and new initiatives. This also includes the use of social media.
How will it affect Peterborough City Council?
Pre-election restrictions are governed by Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986, as amended in 1988. This dictates that councils should ‘not publish any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party’.
Though there will be far less going on than usual, the City Council will, by and large, continue to operate on a ‘business as normal’ approach: council officers will still do their jobs and the council communications department will still share press releases. However, the key difference is that the council will actively seek to avoid dealing with matters that may be regarded as politically controversial.
As such, it is unlikely any proactive events involving councillors will take place during this time.
Candidates and councillors – both those standing for election and those who are not – are still allowed to speak to the media during the pre-election period.
When does the pre-election period start and are we in it?
It is typically the case that the pre-election period begins around six weeks before a scheduled election is due to be held. So, yes – as of March 30 – we are now in the pre-election period.