More than half of local election candidates in 2026 experienced abuse or harassment during their campaigns, according to a report released by the Electoral Commission. The findings show that 55% of candidates faced intimidation or abuse, a rise from 47% in the previous year. Online harassment was the most common form of targeting, with 39% of candidates reporting they received unacceptable messages on social media. The report also included accounts of street stalking, verbal attacks from both political opponents and members of the public, and even physical violence. One candidate described an incident in which someone attempted to attack them at their home, initially trying to punch them before spitting at them. Despite the frequency of such incidents, only 15% of those targeted decided to report the abuse to the police. The levels of harassment varied by political party. Over half of candidates from Labour and Reform UK reported experiencing mistreatment, while 43% of Green Party candidates said they faced abuse. In contrast, 26% of Conservative candidates and 22% of Liberal Democrats reported similar experiences. Vijay Rangarajan, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, said the high levels of hostility reflect growing threats to democracy. He warned that without improvements in candidate safety, more people might be discouraged from standing in future elections. Rangarajan urged the entire electoral community to prioritize the safety of all participants, emphasizing that political parties have a responsibility to ensure their members treat all candidates with respect, regardless of political affiliation. He also called on social media companies to act more quickly in removing abusive content directed at candidates and to identify those responsible. Alex Burghart, deputy leader of the Conservative Party, said candidates must be able to campaign freely, express their views, and engage with voters without fear of abuse or intimidation. He stressed that if people are being threatened or attacked simply for running for office, it should concern everyone. Burghart highlighted that free and fair elections depend on candidates being able to speak openly and for voters to hear their messages. He added that intimidation should not be allowed to silence people or drive qualified candidates out of public life.