Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Senedd elections

To become nominated as an individual candidate at the Senedd elections, you need to submit a completed set of nomination papers to the place fixed by the relevant Returning Officer (RO) with the deposit by 4pm, 19 working days before the poll.1

This deadline is set out in law and cannot be changed for any reason.
 
The start date from which you will be able to submit nomination papers, as well as the times and arrangements for delivery by hand or electronically, will be set out in the notice of election published by the RO.2

There are three nomination papers that you must submit to make your nomination valid:3

• the individual nomination form 
• a home address form
• your consent to nomination including statement of party membership

The RO can hold your nomination paper invalid if the particulars of your nomination are not as required by law.4

The RO can also reject your nomination if they conclude that it is clearly a sham, for example, if an obviously fictitious name is provided.

You can obtain nomination papers from the RO. Contact details can be obtained from our website. Alternatively, we have produced a set of nomination papers that you could use.

If you, your agent or someone you trust are unable to complete the nomination form, the RO can help by preparing the form for your signature. You should check with the RO at the earliest opportunity what assistance may be available. The RO may also be able to offer informal checks of your completed nomination papers before you submit them. You should find out from the RO whether they plan to offer informal checks.

Note that any information you provide on your nomination papers must be true to the best of your knowledge. It is an offence to provide a false statement on your nomination papers.5 Providing a false statement could invalidate your election, and is also punishable by an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment.