Guidance for Candidates and Agents at local government elections in England

If there are more candidates than there are seats in the ward after the deadline for withdrawals, then after the close of nominations there will be a poll.1 If, however, after the deadline for withdrawals the number of validly nominated candidates in a ward is less than or equal to the number of seats to be filled, those candidates are declared to be elected.2

In this case, the Returning Officer will declare those candidates to be elected as soon as possible and will give public notice of the names of those declared elected.

Even if the election is uncontested, elected candidates must still make a declaration as to their election spending. You can find more information in our guidance about submitting spending returns and taking up office.