How to stand as a candidate
There are 3 different types of elections that you can stand as a
candidate in:
Most candidates are nominated through a political party.
However, individuals are welcome to stand in their own right.
Check whether you're eligible to
stand as a candidate. .
Local elections
You can contact us at the Electoral Services Unit to collect a
nomination pack or alteratively download a copy Nomination Pack which
will include:
- Nomination paper
- Consent to nomination
- Appointment of election agent
- Timetable
- Code of conduct and guidance for candidates and
agents
- Maps of the relevant ward
Nomination paper: Before you can be accepted as
a candidate you must get one person to agree to propose your
nomination paper, another person to agree to second the proposal
and 8 other people to assent to it. All of these people must be on
the electoral register for the area in which the candidate is
standing.
You should deliver your nomination form to the Electoral
Services Unit no later than noon on the 19th working day before the
day of election.
Consent to nomination: You must also sign and
submit a consent to nomination form which is a declaration to the
effect that you are qualified to stand and this must be
witnessed.
Appointment of election agent: There's no
statutory requirement to appoint an agent. If you do not
submit an appointment of an election agent by noon on the 16th
working day before the day of the election, you will have to
represent yourself.
Timetable: A statutory timetable of events
leading up to the election. Election Timetable
2012Code of conduct and guidance for
candidates and agents: The dos and don'ts of the
election campaign.
Registers of electors: Registers for the ward
in which you are standing.
Maps of the relevant ward: Maps to show the
boundaries of the wards.
Note: If you are standing as a party candidate, you will also
need a signed certificate of authorisation issued by or on behalf
of the registered nominating officer of that party.
UK parliamentary elections
If you're interested in standing as a candidate in the next
parliamentary election then you'll need to contact our Electoral
Services Unit for a nomination pack.
Further guidance for candidates is available on the Electoral
Commission website:
Spending Limits
As a candidate at any election, you are subject to spending
limits during the regulated period ahead of the election.
The regulated period runs from the date a person becomes a
candidate until the date of the poll. After the election, you will
need to file an election expenses return with your (Acting)
Returning Officer.
Please note, money that you have spent on the election cannot be
claimed back. You can find further information on spending, as well
as donation controls on
The Electoral Commission . The Electoral Services Office only
holds the details of candidate's expenses for the purpose of
inspection by members of the public. If having inspected a
candidate's expense details a member of the public wishes to make a
complaint, then the complaint must be put in writing to The
Electoral Commission.
Party and Election Finance
The Electoral Commission
Trevelyan House
Great Peter Street
London SW1P 2HW
or
pef@electoralcommission.org.uk