Elections - Nominations
Electoral Nominations
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Local Government Elections
To qualify as a candidate for a local government election, a person must not be disqualified from holding office and:
- must be British or Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of the European Union; and
- be 18 years of age or more on the date of nomination and, if there is a poll, on the day of the election.
They must also meet one of the following criteria:
- have been a local government elector for the area i.e. been included in the register of electors on the date of nomination and thereafter;
- have occupied during the preceding 12 months as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the area;
- have his/her principal or only place of work during the previous twelve months in that area;
- have resided in the area for the whole of the previous twelve months, and
- in the case of parish elections only, have resided in the area for the whole of the previous twelve months, or within three miles of the area.
In order to stand for election, a candidate for a borough, county or parish election must submit a nomination paper by the statutory deadline and in the required form, together with a candidate's consent to nomination. A candidate must submit a nomination paper signed by ten electors for the ward or division but only two electors for the parish.
Parliamentary Elections
For UK Parliamentary elections, a candidate must not be disqualified from holding office and:
- must be British or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; and
- be 18 years of age or more on the date of nomination and, if there is a poll, on the day of the election.
In order to stand for election, a candidate must submit a nomination paper signed by ten electors for the constituency and lodge a deposit of £500, which is refundable.
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In order to stand for a registered political party, a candidate must gain the party's permission. Political parties have their own various eligibility criteria and selection procedures.
Candidates wishing to establish a new political party must submit the required information to the Electoral Commission.
Guidance on this, the nomination procedure and the election process generally is available in Candidates Guides published by the Electoral Commission. These deal with the incurring of expenses, role of election agents and other assistants and detail political election offences.
Should you have any difficulty obtaining a Candidates Guide or require further advice pertaining to possible candidacy at any election, please contact:
Electoral Registration Office
Council Offices
Crescent Gardens
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG1 2SG
Telephone: 01423 556011 or 556008 (9am to 5pm)