194.When a recognised third party incurs controlled expenditure during a regulated period, it will, at the end of that period, be required to submit a return specifying the election or elections taking place within the regulated period in question and containing a statement of all payments made in respect of controlled expenditure incurred during that period. This return must be accompanied by all related invoices or receipts and all declarations made, under section 86(6), in respect of property, services and facilities provided free of charge or at a substantial discount for the use or benefit of the third party. This requirement does not apply to any controlled expenditure incurred during a regulated period but before the time the third party became a recognised third party. It must also be accompanied by a declaration signed by the responsible person attesting to the accuracy of the return. It is made a criminal offence either to make a false declaration or to omit to provide such a declaration. When the controlled expenditure exceeds £250,000, the return must be independently examined by a qualified auditor and submitted to the Electoral Commission within six months. Returns not subject to the audit requirement must be submitted within three months. All returns received by the Commission are to be open to public inspection (although, under section 100 (2) the address of any individual donor to a recognised third party will be omitted from the copy of a return available for inspection).
Commentary on Sections Part VI : Controls relating to third party national election campaigns Sections 96 to 100: Returns