Elections are held by thirds (ie. one third of Councillors are voted in each May). A person becomes a candidate at an election for a county or borough councillor on the day on which their nomination paper is declared valid.
However, if a person makes it known in advance of the election that they are going to be a candidate, they will become a candidate on the last day for publication of the notice of election. Most candidates are nominiated through a political party. However, individuals are welcome to stand in their own right. Before he/she can be accepted as a candidate you must get one person to agree to propose the nomination and another person to agree to second the proposal. Both of these people must be on the electoral register.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must be qualified to stand for election. The Local Government Act 1972, Section 79, sets out the qualifications for standing as a candidate and the grounds for disqualification of a candidate.
Eligible candidates must be at least 18 years old; and:
- be on the electoral register for the district, or
- have worked in the district for the previous year, or
- have lived in the district for the previous year, or
- have owned or rented land or other premises in the district for the whole of the previous year*
*The previous year is calculated from the day the candidate is nominated for election. The candidate must be a Commonwealth citizen. a citizen of Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Community.
The applicant may be disqualified as a candidate if he or she:
Evidence Required
To stand as a candidate at any election a nomination paper must be submitted. The nomination paper gives details of name, address and political description (if any). A nomination paper has to be signed by the correct number of supporters.
To stand as a candidate in a County or Borough election 10 electors (one proposer, one seconder and eight assentors) need to sign the nomination paper. Everyone signing the nomination paper must be included on the Register of Electors for the area in which the election is to be held. If someone signs your nomination paper and they are not included on the relevant Register of Electors, the paper will not be valid.
Guidance Notes
Full name and home address must be included. If desired, a description can be included. The description, if any, must consist of either:-
- a description (of not more than six words in length) which is the registered political party description;
- the word "Independent". This word must be used on its own and cannot accompany any other word;
- no description whatsoever.
Candidates cannot submit a nomination paper using a political party description unless they have their permission to do so and a certificate from them saying that they are authorised to use their description.
Agents do not have to be appointed. However, during an election some candidates appoint persons to assist them in their campaign.
More information on the appointment of polling and counting agents will be given once the decision is made to stand for election.
A successful candidate would be expected to follow the Council's Code of Conduct (click here).
Application Process
The nomination forms to stand as a candidate are available from the Electoral Services Section. To apply for a form please telephone Paula Chatterton, Electoral Services Manager on 01256 845298, or e-mail paula.chatterton@basingstoke.gov.uk
There is no charge to stand as a candidate for election. However, any costs incurred by a candidate in standing for election will have to be paid by the candidate. Details of expenses will be supplied with the nomination form.