Combined Guidance for Returning Officers at Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections in England

Once you have decided that a nomination is valid, it cannot be challenged during the election, although it may be challenged after the election through an election petition.1
 
If you determine a nomination to be invalid, you must:2

• state this on the nomination form
• write the reasons for rejection on the form
• sign the form

At the local government election, you must send a notice of your decision that a nomination paper is valid or invalid to the candidate's home address (as stated on the home address form). This should be done as soon as practicable after your decision has been made.