How do I become a Borough Councillor?
We have 54 councillors in Basingstoke and Deane across 18 borough wards. Each year, one councillor seat in each ward will be up for election. This occurs for three consecutive years with a rest period on the fourth year.
The next scheduled local election is Thursday 4 May 2023.
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.
Qualifications
You must be at least 18 years old on the day of nomination and be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union, and meet at least one of the four qualifications below:
a) You are a registered local government elector in the Basingstoke and Deane from the day of your nomination onwards.
b) You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
c) Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the local authority area. More
d) You have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
Disqualifications
There are certain people who are disqualified from being elected to a local authority in England. You cannot be a candidate if at the time of your nomination and on polling day:
a) You are employed by the local authority or hold a paid office under the authority (including joint boards or committees).
b) You hold a politically restricted post
c) You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order.
d) You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the five years before polling day and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or applications in respect of the conviction has passed.
e) You have been disqualified under the Representation of the People Act 1983 (which covers corrupt or illegal electoral practices). The disqualification for an illegal practice begins from the date a person has been reported guilty by an election court or convicted and lasts for three years.
f) You are subject to the notification requirement of or under Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and the ordinary period allowed for making an appeal or application in respect of the order or notification has passed.
You must be confident that you meet at least one of the required qualifications and are not disqualified before submitting your nomination papers.
It is a criminal offence to make a false statement on your nomination papers.
Nomination process
To stand as a candidate at any election a nomination paper must be submitted. The nomination paper includes your name, address and political description (if any). You can contact the Electoral Services team for a nomination pack.
Before you can be accepted as a candidate you must get 2 electors (one proposer, one seconder) to sign the nomination paper. Your subscribers must be on the Basingstoke and Deane electoral register that is in force on the 25th working day before the poll. If someone signs your nomination paper and they are not included on the relevant Register of Electors, the paper will not be valid.
If you are standing as a candidate, please take a look at the Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Local Elections for further information.
Guidance notes
Full name and home address must be included on the nominations. If desired, a description can be included. The description, if any, must consist of either:
- the word "Independent". This word must be used on its own and cannot accompany any other word
- a description (of not more than six words in length) which is the registered political party description.
You can leave the description blank if you would prefer.
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. The same is true for using a political party emblem.
Candidates can appoint an agent to assist them in their campaign. However, it is not required, and candidates can act as their own agent.
More information on the appointment of polling and counting agents will be given once the decision is made to stand for election.
We would advise prospective candidates to attend the Candidates and Agents briefing run by the Electoral Services Team.
A successful candidate would be expected to follow the Councillors Code of Conduct.
Application process
The nomination form to stand as a candidate is available from the Electoral Services Team. To request a nomination pack, please contact the Electoral Services team at electoral.services@basingstoke.gov.uk or call 01256 845467.
There is no charge to stand as a candidate for a local 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.
If you would like to stand as a Borough Councillor in the 4 May 2023 election, there will be two briefing sessions held for Candidates and Agents.
Candidates and Agents Briefing - Nomination Process: 6.30pm Monday 13 February 2023
Candidates and Agents Briefing - Election Process: 6.30pm Tuesday 14 March 2023.
We would advise you to attend these briefings if possible. For more information or to book onto the briefing(s), please email electoral.services@basingstoke.gov.uk
Please note the introduction of Voter ID will be covered in the second briefing on Tuesday 14 March 2023.
If you require a copy of the register, you will need to formally request one by completing the form below:
Form to request a copy of the Electoral Register(PDF) [18 kb]
Nomination Pack - Election of Councillors to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council(PDF) [2 Mb]