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Eligibility to stand as a candidate

You can stand as a candidate if you are:

  • A British citizen, or a citizen of the Irish Republic, the Commonwealth or another member state of the European Union; and
  • At least 18 years old on the day you submit your nomination papers.

You also have to meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • You are a registered local government elector in the Rochdale borough, both on the day you are nominated and election day.  You can check whether you are registered by contacting our Electoral Services Unit.
  • You have lived in the borough for a period of 12 months prior to nomination
  • Your main or only place of work has been in the borough for a period of 12 months prior to nomination
  • You have occupied, either as an owner or a tenant, any land or premises in the borough for a period of 12 months prior to nomination.

You cannot be a candidate if you:

  • Are employed by or hold a paid office in the Council (including any joint boards or committees)
  • Are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order (please note: this disqualification was introduced from 1 April 2004)
  • Have been sentenced to a prison term of three months or more, without the option of a fine, at any time during the last five years
  • Have been convicted or reported guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court
  • Have been disqualified following a decision of the Adjudication Panel for England
  • Have been disqualified following the issue of a certificate by a local authority auditor relating to the loss of more than £2000.

You may be disqualified as a candidate if you work for the Council or hold a politically restricted post with another local authority. Bankruptcy or a previous criminal conviction with a 3-month or more prison sentence would also disqualify you as a candidate.