Standing for Election

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I stand for election?
• Is there any reason why I cant stand for election?
• What happens when?
• How do I get nominated?
• Now I'm nominated what happens next?
• How much can I spend?

Can I stand for election?

You can stand as a candidate at a local election in England 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 hand in your nomination papers.

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

• You are a registered local government elector in the local authority areas, both on the day you are nominated and election day (usually the first Thursday in May). You can check whether you are registered by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer at your local council; or
• You have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day you are nominated and election day; or
• Your main or only place of work during the 12 months before the day you are nominated and election day has been in the local authority area; or
• You have occupied, either as an owner or a tenant, any land or premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day you are nominated and election day.

Is there any reason why I can't stand for election?

Certain people are disqualified from being elected to a local authority. You cannot be a candidate if:

• You are employed by the local authority you want to be elected to, or you hold a paid office under the authority (including any joint boards or committees); or
• You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order (please note: this disqualification was introduced from 1 April 2004); or
• You have been sentenced to a prison term of three months or more, without the option of a fine, at any time during the five years before polling day (i.e. since 10 June 1999); or

You might also be disqualified from standing for election because:

• You have been convicted or reported guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court; or
• You have been disqualified following a decision of the Adjudication Panel for England; or
• You have been disqualified following the issue of a certificate by a local authority auditor relating to the loss of more than £2,000.

There are also a number of politically restricted local authority posts (normally senior positions such as the head of paid service or statutory chief officer, for example). If you hold one of these posts you will be disqualified from election to any local authority in Great Britain.

What happens when?

There are several dates and deadlines that you'll need to remember during the election process.

• Notice of election
• Deadline for nominations
• Polling Day
• Deadline for election expenses returns

How do I get nominated?

If you've answered the questions above and you're eligible and not disqualified, you'll need to complete a set of nomination forms and submit them to the Returning Officer for your area. To help you complete these forms, see the guidance in section 5 of the Electoral Commission's comprehensive candidates' guidance document

The first paper to complete is your nomination form, which you'll need to get 10 local people from your ward to sign.

Then you need to sign your consent to nomination.

You can stand as an independent candidate, but if you want to stand as a party candidate you'll need to fill out an authorisation form and get permission if you want to use an emblem on the ballot paper.

If your nomination papers are accepted, your name will appear on the ballot paper on Election Day.

Now I'm nominated what happens next?

First, you'll need to appoint an election agent. You can act as your own agent if you'd prefer, and if you don't submit your agents details to the Returning Officer by the statutory deadline you will have to be represent yourself.

There are other rules about what you can and can't do during you campaign and on polling day, which are explained in section 8 of the Electoral Commission's comprehensive candidates' guidance document

How much can I spend?

The amount you're allowed to spend during your campaign is determined by the number of electors in your area. You'll be allowed to spend £600, plus an additional 5p for every elector on the register for your ward.

Any money you spend on goods or services which you use once you've become a candidate will count against this limit, and must be declared.

You'll have to account for all your expenditure at the end of the election, and submit a return of your expenses within 35 days of the declaration of the result of the election.

There's more information on election expenses in section 12 of the Election Commission's comprehensive candidates' guidance document.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Elections Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne OL6 6DL  View local map
0161 342 3036
0161 342 2187