Guidance for Candidates at Parish council elections in England

We call the time when the spending laws apply the ‘regulated period’.

The regulated period

The regulated period for the 2024 parish council elections in England begins on the day after the date you officially become a candidate and ends on polling day, 2 May 2024.1

When does a person officially become a candidate?

The earliest date you can officially become a candidate is the last date for publication of the notice of election, which will be Tuesday 26 March 2024.2

You will become a candidate on this date if you or others have already announced your intention to stand.3  For example, your party may have issued a press release when you were selected, or you might have mentioned your intention at a residents’ meeting.

If your intention to stand has not been announced by 26 March 2024, you will officially become a candidate on the earlier of:

• the date your intention to stand is announced
• the date when you submit your nomination papers4

This must be prior to the close of nominations, which is 4pm on Friday 5 April 2024.5