Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Scottish Parliament elections

To be able to stand as a constituency or regional candidate at the Scottish Parliament election you must, on the day you are nominated and on polling day, be: 

• at least 18 years old,1  and
• either a British citizen, an Irish citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, or a qualifying foreign national2  

There is no requirement in law for you to be a registered elector in Scotland.

An eligible Commonwealth citizen is a Commonwealth citizen who either:

• does not need leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom (UK), or
• has indefinite leave to remain in the UK

An eligible qualifying foreign national is a person who is not:

• a Commonwealth citizen, or 
• a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, and

who has, (or is, by virtue of any enactment, to be treated as having) any description of such leave.