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Standing for election

Councillors are elected to the local Council to represent the local community.

How to become a candidate

You can become a candidate (someone standing for election) as a member of a political party. Contact details for political parties can be found using the Electoral Commission register of Political Parties.

You can also stand as an Independent (not affiliated to a political party). For further information about standing as an independent candidate contact:

The Independent Group
Local Government Association
LGA House
18 Smith Square
London SW1P 3HZ

Tel: 020 7664 3224
Email: independent.grouplga@local.gov.uk

Who can stand as a candidate

To stand as a candidate at a local election in England you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • be a British Citizen, and eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union

AND meet at least one of the following qualifications:

  • be registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you wish to stand; or
  • 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; or
  • your main or only place of work during the last twelve months has been in the local authority area; or
  • you have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the last twelve months

You will not be able to stand as 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
  • 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

Further information on becoming a Candidate and Nomination forms can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

If you have any queries you may also contact the Electoral Services Manager:

Tel: 01462 474305
Email: thomas.marsh@north-herts.gov.uk