Candidates and Agents Information Local government elections

Candidates and Agents Information Local government elections – 5 May 2011

Topics • • • election timetable qualifications disqualifications nominations agents postal votes day of poll counting of votes candidates expenses contacts

Election Timetable Publication of Notice of Election Not later than – 25 March 2011 Nominations Commence Close of nominations Noon – 4 April 2011 Publication of statement of persons nominated Noon – 6 April 2011 Notification of appointment of election agents Noon – 7 April 2011 Publication of notice of poll/situation of polling stations 8 April 2011 Deadline for new postal votes/changes to 5 pm – 14 April postal or proxy votes 2011 Deadline for applications to register to vote Midnight – 14 April 2011

Election timetable (cont’d) Deadline for applications for new proxy votes 5 pm – 21 April 2011 Appointment of counting and polling agents 26 April 2011 Polling day 5 May – 7 am to 10 pm Deadline to apply for new applications to vote by proxy on grounds of medical emergency 5 pm – 5 May 2011 Replacement for lost/spoilt postal votes ends 5 pm – 5 May 2011 Alterations to register to correct clerical error 9 pm – 5 May 2011 Return of election expenses + 35 days from result

Qualifications • Candidates must satisfy criteria on day they are nominated and on polling day: – At least 18 years of age – British, qualifying Commonwealth (with indefinite leave to remain), Irish, member state of EU • Also at least one of the following: – Registered local govt elector for local authority area – Occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in the local authority area during the whole 12 months preceding nomination – Principal or only place of work (including unpaid) during last 12 months in local authority area – Lived in local authority area during the last 12 months.

Disqualifications • A person cannot be a candidate if: – employed by the local authority or hold paid office under the authority – subject of a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (or interim order) in England or Wales – they have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (inc suspended sentence) without option of a fine, during the 5 years before election day – have been disqualified under Audit Commission Act 1998 – serving a disqualification due to being found guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court – hold a politically restricted post

Nominations • The Returning Officer (RO) will adjudicate the nomination on the basis of the information provided on the nomination paper. To see that it is ‘correct on its face’. • The only reasons for rejection are: – particulars are not as required by law – paper is not subscribed as required – the description is not as required

Nominations (cont’d) • Nomination Paper • Points to note: – any commonly used names will appear on official notices and ballot papers – description must match certificate – description must match Electoral Commission website – proposer, seconder and assenters must use their normal signature, print their name and have their elector number

Nominations (cont’d) • Consent to Nomination • Must include: – – – name and address details confirm which area standing in confirm their qualification(s) date of birth must be included candidate must sign and date form witness must sign and date form

Descriptions on • Independent candidates, 2 choices: – ‘independent’ ballot papers – no description • Party-nominated candidates, 2 choices: – registered name of the political party – description registered by the political party

Nominations (cont’d) • Authorisation of party description (i. e. not ‘Independent’) and use of party emblem • Please note: – candidate must have written permission to use the description from the nominating officer (or a person appointed by them to act on their behalf) – description must match authorisation certificate and be the party’s registered name or a description registered with the Electoral Commission – nominating officer may allow candidate to choose a description or the party name – party candidates can ask for an emblem, an electronic version of the emblem should be supplied to the RO if required

Joint candidates • Nominated by more than one party • May use registered joint descriptions • No provision for joint emblems

Agents • Election agent – must be officially appointed and accept the appointment by noon on 7 April 2011 • Polling agent – the RO requires notice in writing of any people appointed as polling agents by 26 April 2011 • Counting agent – the RO requires notice in writing of any persons nominated to attend the counting of the votes by 26 April 2011

Postal Votes • Code of conduct – no candidate or supporter should put themselves in a position where their honesty or integrity, or that of the candidate or party, can be questioned • Personal identifiers – absent voters required to provide a sample signature and their date of birth on their application – this information is stored electronically and checked against the security statement returned with the electors completed postal vote pack • This additional security steps to the processing of applications and verification of returned votes – it is important that any received applications or postal vote packs are returned to the elections office as soon as possible to ensure adequate time for processing

Day of Poll • Polling stations open from 7 am to 10 pm • Office open [x]am to [x]pm for queries or problems relating to the administration of the election – any queries relating to regulatory issues or queries about a candidate’s campaign literature please contact the Electoral Commission (contact details shown later) • Polling station inspectors and their remit • Tellers – refer to guidance • Canvassing • Highways guidance for posters • Postal Votes – can be handed into polling stations within voting area or delivered to the elections office until 10 pm.

Counting of Votes • [insert local arrangements for the counting of local government election votes] • Count centre will open to candidates, agents and spectators from [x] • The count will be held in: – [insert count centre location/address] • Make sure appointments for Counting Agents are submitted to the RO prior to deadline

Spending issues

Candidates’ expenses • Defined as certain expenses ‘used for the purposes of the candidate’s election’ after the date they become a candidate • Responsibility of election agent • Limit on expenses: – £ 600 + 5 pence per elector in ward/division – reduced for joint candidates

Candidates’ expenses returns • Returns due 35 days after result of election • Returns made public by Returning Officer • Sample of returns reviewed by the Electoral Commission • Failure to submit an expenses return is a criminal offence

Contacts

Contacts • Elections office – [insert] • Highways department – [insert] • Electoral Commission contacts [delete as appropriate] – Eastern and South East Office 020 7271 0600 – London Office 020 7271 0689 – Midlands Office 02476 820086 – North of England Office 01904 567990 – South West Office 01392 314617 – Party and Election Finance 020 7271 0616

Questions

Thank you Please ensure you take your candidate’s pack for guidance