Objections to the validity of any nomination form can be made 23 working days before the poll.1
In one exceptional circumstance, where the objection is on the grounds that a candidate is disqualified because they are serving a prison sentence of a year or more, objections can be made 22 working days before the poll.
The time within which an objection can be made depends on when the nomination papers are delivered.
Nominations delivered up to and including 4pm on the day before the deadline for the delivery of nomination papers
Objections to any nomination form delivered up to and including 4pm on the day before the deadline for delivery of nomination papers must be made in the morning of the last day for the delivery of nomination papers, until 12 noon.
Nominations delivered after 4pm on the day before the deadline for the delivery of nomination papers
Objections to any nomination form delivered after 4pm on the day before the deadline for the delivery of nomination papers must be made by 5pm on the last day for the delivery of nomination papers. Any objection must be made at, or immediately after, the time of the delivery of the nomination.
Objection on the grounds that a candidate is imprisoned for a year or more
In the rare case that the Constituency Returning Officer (CRO) considers that a candidate may be disqualified because they are imprisoned and serving a sentence of a year or more, they will publish a notice inviting objections on this ground. Any such objection may be made between 10am and 4pm on the next working day following the deadline for the delivery of nomination papers.
Decisions on objections
The CRO will consider any objections made, but is entitled to hold a nomination invalid only on the following grounds:3
that the particulars of the candidate or the witness signing the nomination paper are not as required by law
that the nomination paper is not witnessed as required
that the candidate is disqualified on the ground that they are imprisoned and serving a sentence of a year or more
The CRO’s decision that a nomination is valid is final and cannot be challenged during the election. The decision can only be challenged after an election through an election petition. For more information see our guidance on election petitions.