Combined Authority and Combined County Authority Returning Officer guidance for Combined Authority Mayoral elections

Candidates must formally consent to their nomination and deliver their consent by the deadline for delivery of nomination papers.1 The consent to nomination form is prescribed in the election rules and the candidate must use this form or a form to like effect.2 It must be submitted by hand and cannot be submitted by post, fax, email or other electronic means.3

The form must contain:

• a statement that they meet one or more of the qualifications for standing 
• their date of birth 

For candidates standing at combined authority mayoral elections the form must also contain:

• a statement that to the best of their knowledge and belief they are not disqualified from election as a combined authority mayor by reason of any disqualification set out in, or decision made under, paragraph 9 or 9A of Schedule 5B, of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, Section 34 of the Localism Act 2011, or Section 30 of the Elections Act 2022. Additionally, where a combined authority mayor is to exercise functions of a Police and Crime Commissioner, it will need to also state that they are not disqualified from election due to any disqualifications set out in, or decision made under, Sections 64 to 68 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
• a copy of paragraph 9 or 9A of Schedule 5B to the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, Section 34 of the Localism Act 2011 and, where a combined authority mayor is to exercise functions of a Police and Crime Commissioner, Sections 64 to 68 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 

For candidates standing at combined county authority mayoral elections the form must also contain:

• a statement that to the best of their knowledge and belief they are not disqualified from election as a combined county authority mayor by reason of any disqualification set out in, or decision made under, paragraph 8 or 9 of Schedule 2 to The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, Section 34 of the Localism Act 2011, or Section 30 of the Elections Act 2022. Additionally, where a combined county authority mayor is to exercise functions of a Police and Crime Commissioner, it will need to also state that they are not disqualified from election due to any disqualifications set out in, or decision made under, Sections 64 to 68 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011
• a copy of paragraph 8 or 9 of Schedule 2 to The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, Section 34 of the Localism Act 2011 and, where a combined authority mayor is to exercise functions of a Police and Crime Commissioner, Sections 64 to 68 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

Candidates are not allowed to sign their consent form earlier than one calendar month before the deadline for submitting their nomination papers.5 The consent must also be witnessed by another person and the witness must attest the form.6  

The witness must provide their name on the consent form and the witness’s address must be provided on the home address form.7

There are no restrictions on who can be a witness to the consent to nomination.