Election 2026: The dates that matter from here

Now that the election is over and the basic - if not final - makeup of the next Parliament is known, what key dates remain?Here's what we know will happen, and when; what we don't; plus how long the key negotiations might take.Saturday 7 November: Election day. Preliminary results were counted on election night, but they don't include special votes.Underway now: Coalition talks. There is no set deadline.Friday 27 November: Official results. An estimated 399,365 special votes are added to the votes counted on election night and seats are allocated again.Wednesday 2 December: Recount deadline. Candidates and parties have three working days after the official results to apply for a judicial recount.Thursday 3 December: Writ returned. This is the last day for the result to be formally returned, confirming who the MPs elected are.Thursday 14 January 2027: Parliament must meet, no later than six weeks after the writ is returned.Tuesday 9 March 2027: Deadline for candidates to file their election expenses, donations and loans returns.