To become nominated as an individual regional candidate at the a Scottish Parliament elections, you need to submit a completed set of nomination papers to the place fixed by the Regional Returning Officer (RRO) with a £500 deposit by 4pm, 23 working days before the poll.1
This deadline is set out in law and cannot be changed for any reason.
Nomination papers can be delivered from the day after the publication of the notice of election. The times and place for delivery of nomination papers will be set out in the notice of election published by the RRO.2
There are two nomination papers that you must submit to make your nomination valid:3
the nomination form
your consent to nomination
You can obtain nomination papers from the RRO. Contact details can be obtained from our website. Alternatively, we have produced a set of nomination papers that you could use.
If you, your agent or someone you trust are unable to complete the nomination form, the RRO can help by preparing the form for your signature.4
You should check with the RRO at the earliest opportunity what assistance may be available.
The RRO may also be able to offer informal checks of your completed nomination papers before you submit them. You should find out from the RRO whether they plan to offer informal checks.
Note that any information you provide on your nomination papers must be true to the best of your knowledge. It is an offence to provide a false statement on your nomination papers. Providing a false statement could invalidate your election, and is also punishable by a maximum fine of £10,000 (or unlimited if convicted on indictment) and/or imprisonment.5