Guidance for (Acting) Returning Officers administering a UK Parliamentary election in Great Britain

Objections to nominations

Certain people may object to the validity of a nomination form or home address form. More information on who can object to nominations can be found in the attendance at nominations section. 

Objections can be made on the last day for delivery of nomination papers during the hours for delivery and for one hour after (i.e. up until 5pm).1  

The only exception is where the objection is on the grounds that a candidate is disqualified because they are serving a prison sentence of a year or more. In this case, objections can be made between 10am and 4pm on the next working day after the deadline for delivery of nomination papers. 

Timetable for objections 

The time within which an ordinary objection can be made depends on when the nomination papers are delivered.2  

When was the nominations form delivered? When can the nomination form be objected to?
Nominations delivered up to 4pm on the day before the deadline for delivery of nomination papers (E-20) Objection must be made between 10 am and 12 noon on the last day for submitting nomination papers (E-19)
Nominations delivered after 4pm on the day before the deadline for delivery of nomination papers (E-20) Objection must be made between 10am and 5pm on the last day for submitting nomination papers (E-19) and also must be made at or immediately after the time of the delivery of the nomination

 

Last updated: 19 December 2023