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

Election petitions

An election petition can be used to challenge the result of combined authority mayoral elections.1

Petitions can be presented by:

• a person claiming to have been a candidate at the election,2 or
• four or more persons who voted at the election or who had a right to vote at the election, except for electors registered anonymously3  

What is the basis for an election petition?

The allowable grounds for a petition are that:4  

• the person whose election is questioned was not duly elected
• the person whose election is questioned was disqualified at the time of the election
• the election was invalidated by corrupt or illegal practices or on the grounds specified in Sections 164 and 165 of the Representation of the People Act 1983

Who is made a respondent?

The duly elected candidate whose election is questioned is likely to be made a respondent to the petition.5 As CARO, you may be a respondent to the petition if the petition relates to the conduct of the election, and if it relates to the conduct of the election in a particular constituent council area or areas, the local RO may also be a respondent.6  

Deadlines for bringing petitions

A petition must be presented within 21 days after the day on which the election was held.7 Further time is allowed in certain circumstances.8

Any person who is considering presenting an election petition should be advised to take their own legal advice. For any questions relating to election petitions, including confirming the deadlines, you should contact the Election Petitions Office:

The Election Petitions Office 
Room E113 
Royal Courts of Justice 
Strand 
London
WC2A 2LL 

Email: [email protected] 

Phone: 0207 947 6877