Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Senedd elections

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

Timetable for objections 

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 the delivery of nomination papers must be made on the day of the deadline for the delivery of nomination papers on or before 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 on or before 5pm on the day of the deadline for the delivery of nominations papers. 

Decisions on objections

The Returning Officer (RO) will consider any objections made, but is entitled to hold a nomination invalid only on the following grounds:1

• the particulars of the candidate are not as required by law
• the candidate is disqualified under s16(A1) of the 2006 Act
• the candidate’s candidature is in breach of s7(5) of the 2006 Act
• the nomination paper is not subscribed as required by rule 5(6) of the Senedd election rules.

The RO’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.2 For more information see our guidance on election petitions.