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Election Factfile: Tuesday April 5
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| Between now and polling day Craig Hoy provides a daily briefing on the rules, issues and people making the 2005 election |
April 5: What happens now?
Now that the prime minister has been to see the Queen to seek the dissolution, the government's business managers will engage in horse-trading over the remaining legislation.
Some big bills, such as the ID cards legislation, are almost certain to fall.
Parliament is set to be dissolved on Monday and any legislation not on the statute book by then is effectively dead. Following dissolution, the royal proclamation and issue of writs formally takes place.
The following day the receipt of writs is recorded.
Would-be MPs have until 4.00pm on April 19 to lodge their nomination papers as a candidate.
Those seeking a postal ballot have until April 26 to lodge an application for an absent vote. The fight then continues until May 5, when the country goes to the polls.
During the election period candidates have strict rules on the amount they can spend although the parties nationally are allowed to spend up to £20m in the year leading up to polling day.
The civil service goes into 'purdah' - meaning that no policy decisions or announcements can be made until the new government is appointed by whoever is prime minister on May 6.
And remember, if you are wanting to vote and are not on the electoral register it is too late to take part in a May 5 election.
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