someone claiming to have been a candidate at the election, or
someone claiming to have had a right to be elected or returned at the election, or
an elector (not an anonymously registered elector) who had a right to vote at the election (although they need not have voted)
someone claiming to have had a right to be returned in respect of a relevant vacancy
The allowable grounds for a petition are that there has been an:4
undue election, or
undue return
There is a separate judicial process for challenging the election of a Senedd Member on the grounds that they were or are disqualified, by application to the High Court.5
The Member, about whose election or return is complained, must be a respondent to the petition.6
If the petition complains about the conduct of the Returning Officer or their staff during the election, the Returning Officer(s) must also be a respondent.7
Normally a petition must be presented within 21 calendar days of the name of the elected candidate being returned to the Clerk of the Senedd.8
However, if the petition complains of corrupt or illegal practices involving the payment of money or other reward, or an illegal practice relating to election spending, further time may be allowed.
For any questions relating to election petitions, including to confirm the deadlines for lodging an election petition, you should contact:
The Election Petitions Office Room E105 Royal Courts of Justice Strand London WC2A 2LL Email: [email protected] Phone: 0207 947 6877
There are costs attached to an election petition. If you are considering lodging an election petition, we strongly recommend that you take independent legal advice.