Guidance for Candidates at Parish council elections in England

Each nomination form needs to be signed (subscribed) by two electors on the local government electoral register in the parish or, if the parish is warded, in the parish ward.

The electors must be of voting age and be on the register that is in force on the last day for publication of notice of election.1

Each elector may not subscribe more nomination forms than there are vacancies.2

For example, if there are two vacancies in a parish ward, an elector may subscribe up to two candidates' nomination forms in that ward; if three candidates submit nomination forms subscribed by the same person, the two that were submitted first will be accepted, but the third will be invalid.

You should therefore always enquire, before asking a subscriber to sign your form, if they have already signed someone else's.

If a nomination form contains more than two subscribers’ signatures, only the first two will be accepted.3 If either of the subscribers is invalid, the Returning Officer must hold the nomination form invalid, regardless of whether the form contains more than two.4

There is nothing to prevent you from subscribing your own nomination providing that you are registered in the parish, or if the parish is warded, in the parish ward.

Nomination forms should not be altered once they are subscribed. All of your details should be completed before you invite anyone to subscribe your nomination. Once the RO has formally accepted a nomination form, signatures cannot be withdrawn.

Anonymously registered electors

There may be some electors on the register who have registered anonymously because of risks to their safety. Anonymously registered electors may not subscribe nomination forms.

Anonymous electors are shown on the register with just their poll number and the letter 'N' (rather than with their name and address).

The elector number

The elector numbers of the proposer and seconder, as they appear on the electoral register must be entered on the nomination form.5 The elector number includes the distinctive numbers or letters of the polling district can usually be found at the front of the register.

Both the RO and ERO will be able to advise you how the register is laid out.

You will be entitled to a free copy of the electoral register for the parish area or parish ward you are contesting, as appropriate.6

You should use it to ensure that your nomination form is properly subscribed.

In line with data protection legislation and the electoral provision under which you have obtained the register, you must ensure that you keep the electoral register secure and, once you have finished with it, ensure that it is securely destroyed.

Data protection considerations

When collecting subscriber information, you should point out what the information will be used for, how personal data will be processed and kept secure. The lawful basis to collect the information in this form is that it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest and exercise of official authority as set out in Representation of the People Act 1983 and associated regulations.

You should also explain that the information will be shared with the RO. For further information on data protection and processing you should refer to the RO’s privacy notice on their website.

Data protection legislation applies to the processing of all personal data. Please contact the Information Commissioner's Office for further information about how the current data protection legislation affects you.