18. Payment of invoices to suppliers

18.1     Claims for payment of election expenses, from suppliers, must be received by the third party/other person within 45 days after polling day (i.e. 6 July 2015).  Claims received after this date cannot be paid by the third parties.  It is an offence to make a payment if the claim is received after the 45 days have elapsed.  To avoid disputes, it is very important that agents advise their suppliers of this requirement when placing orders for property, goods or services.  Even though such claims cannot be paid, they are still regarded as election expenses and must be accounted for in the Election Expenses Statement furnished to the Standards Commission.