Election timetables
Election rules include a timetable that must be followed. This briefing explains what is in the timetables and how long they run.

This list notes the number of by-elections by session since 1945-46 together with a list of the the successful candidates in by-elections since 2005.
UK parliamentary by-elections since 1945 (97 KB , Excel Spreadsheet)
A by-election occurs when a seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant during the lifetime of a Parliament (ie between general elections), because the sitting MP dies, resigns, is elevated to the peerage, or becomes ineligible to sit for some other reason.
Under a Resolution of the House of 2 March 1623, MPs cannot directly resign their seats. Therefore, an MP wishing to resign must be appointed to one of two nominal offices of profit under the Crown. See the Library briefing Appointments to the Chiltern Hundreds and Manor of Northstead Stewardships since 1880.
The by-elections page of the Parliament website provides detailed information on results, including the number of votes cast and percentage share of the vote.
See the Commons briefing, UK Election Statistics: 1918-2021: A century of elections for a list of all by-elections in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This series of publications contains data on various subjects relating to Parliament and Government. Topics include legislation, MPs, select committees, debates, divisions and Parliamentary procedure.
Please send any comments or corrections to papers@parliament.uk.
UK parliamentary by-elections since 1945 (97 KB , Excel Spreadsheet)
Election rules include a timetable that must be followed. This briefing explains what is in the timetables and how long they run.
The government proposes reducing the voting age to 16, reviewing voter ID, improving voter registration and strengthening political donation rules.
The UK Government has said the voting age will be reduced to 16 for all elections. This briefing details the voting age for UK elections and the debate about lowering the voting age.