Getting Started
Signing In
To access AgentAid you must first sign in to your account.
- Navigate to the login page.
- Enter your registered email address and password.
- Click Sign In.
Once authenticated you will be redirected to the Dashboard.
AgentAid securely connects to your account and loads all elections assigned to you.
Selecting Your Current Election
Your dashboard always reflects the currently selected election.
To change the active election:
- Open the Dashboard.
- Locate the Election panel in the top-left section.
- Click the election selector or press Change.
- Select the election you want to manage using the play icon.
Once selected, AgentAid reloads the dashboard data.
The following information will update automatically:
- Campaign spending limits
- Expense records
- Income records
- Return template type
- Charts and reporting data
Always confirm the correct election is selected before entering financial data. Expenses and income cannot currently be transferred between elections.
Understanding the Dashboard
The dashboard provides a real-time overview of your campaign finances and reporting status.
It helps you quickly identify:
- Current spending levels
- Income received
- Outstanding compliance tasks
- Remaining spending limits
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The dashboard displays several key metrics for the selected election.
Income - Total recorded donations for the current election.
Spent - Total value of all confirmed (non-disputed) expenses.
Balance - Remaining funds calculated as Income − Spent.
Status Table
The status table highlights potential issues with your campaign records.
Unpaid Items - Expenses that have been recorded but not yet paid.
Disputed Items - Expenses flagged for review or correction.
No Expense Proof - Expense entries missing required supporting documents.
Errors - System-detected data issues requiring attention.
These indicators help ensure your records are complete and compliant.
Charts
Category Breakdown (Bar Chart)
The category chart shows how campaign spending is distributed across statutory categories defined by the Electoral Commission.
These include:
- Advertising
- Unsolicited Material
- Transport
- Public Meetings
- Agent and Staff Costs
- Accommodation & Administration
This allows campaign teams to monitor where funds are being allocated.
Spending Limit Chart (Pie Chart)
The spending chart visualises the relationship between:
- Total spent campaign funds
- Remaining available spending allowance
The chart updates automatically whenever new expenses are recorded.
Election Countdown
The dashboard also displays the number of days remaining until the scheduled election date.
This countdown acts as a reminder to keep campaign financial records up to date.
Generating and Printing Election Returns
AgentAid automatically prepares the correct statutory return document based on the election type.
Supported return templates include:
- Council Elections
- Westminster Elections
- Combined Authority Elections
- Mayoral Elections
- London Mayor Elections
Preparing the Return
To generate a return document:
- Navigate to the Dashboard.
- Click Download PDF / Print Returns.
- The system will begin preparing the return file.
- A progress indicator will show the document generation status.
Once completed, the return will available to download via the download page
Before Printing
Before submitting your return ensure:
- No unpaid expenses remain unresolved
- Disputed items have been reviewed
- All required proof documents have been uploaded
- Campaign spending remains within legal limits
- Income records are complete and accurate
Submitting incomplete or incorrect financial returns may result in regulatory compliance issues.
Printing
When the return document is ready:
- The document will appear in the download page.
- Select your download and download the PDF.
- Review the document carefully before official submission.
Downloads will only last for 24 hours for compliace, so dont forget to download it.
Best Practice Recommendations
- Record campaign expenses immediately after they occur.
- Upload supporting proof when adding expenses.
- Review the dashboard regularly during campaign periods.
- Perform a full compliance review before submission deadlines.