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General Election timetable 2010
When Parliament is dissolved every Commons seat becomes vacant and there is a general election. Here is the expected timetable for what happens when - during the campaign and after polling day when the new MPs take their seats and Members of the Lords return.

Tuesday 6 April - General Election announced

The Prime Minister goes to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament on the following Monday 12 April

From Tuesday 6 April

Wash-up and Royal Assent

Wash-up

While Bills can be carried forward from one parliamentary session to the next, the same cannot happen between parliaments. All Bills not passed on the date the House rises are lost.

Parliament has evolved a mechanism called the "wash-up" whereby some Bills are saved and allowed to complete their passage.

Both Houses of Parliament continue to sit until the Parliament is formally dissolved on Monday 12 April.

Royal Assent

Bills receive Royal Assent when they have completed their passage through Parliament

Thursday 8 April - Prorogation expected

The formal end of the parliamentary session is marked by what is known as prorogation. Dissolution is on Monday 12 April.

Monday 12 April - Dissolution

  • Parliament dissolved


  • A proclamation of dissolution is made, announcing when Parliament will meet after the general election and setting the date of the Queen's Speech at State Opening


  • Writs issued for elections in the UK's 650 constituencies


    • Tuesday 20 April

  • Cut-off date for UK citizens aged 18 and over to register to vote in the general election


  • Also marks the deadline for voters to apply for a postal or a proxy vote


  • Candidates' nomination papers must be delivered to the local returning officer. Any candidate wishing to withdraw must do so on this date


  • Election agents, who ensure the proper management of each candidate's campaign, must also be appointed


    • Thursday 6 May - Election day

    Polling booths open between 7am and 10pm. Counting of votes will begin when the polls close.

    Friday 7 May

    Counting continues

    Tuesday 18 May

    Parliament returns

    Dates not confirmed

    Commons expected to elect the next Speaker of the House of Commons

    Royal Commission confirms the election of the Speaker of the Commons

    MPs swear an Oath of Allegiance or make an Affirmation in the Commons

    Members of the House of Lords swear an Oath of Allegiance or make an affirmation in the Lords

    State Opening of Parliament

    The Queen's Speech is delivered at the State Opening of the new Parliament. Date to be confirmed.

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