Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Senedd elections

There are certain office-holders who are disqualified from becoming a Member of the Senedd and from standing as a candidate at Senedd elections.1 These include:

• members of the regular armed forces
• those who hold the office of Auditor General for Wales
• those who hold the office of Childrens Commissioner for Wales, Deputy Childrens Commissioner for Wales
• civil servants
• those who hold the office of First Civil Service Commissioner and Civil Service Commissioners
• those who hold the office of Commissioner for the Commission for Equality and Human Rights
• those who hold the office of Commissioner for Older People for Wales and Deputy Commissioner for Older People for Wales
• the Commissioner for Public Appointments
• the Comptroller and Auditor General
• Members, assistant Commissioners and chief executive of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales
• The Electoral Commissioners and members of staff of the Commission
• Electoral Registration Officer for any area in Wales
• Future Generations Commissioner for Wales
• The Chief Inspector of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales
• Members of the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd  
• anyone who holds a judicial office
• members of a police force  
• members of a legislature of any country or territory outside the UK
• those who hold the office of Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
• those who hold the office of lord-lieutenant, lieutenant or high sheriff of any area in Wales  
• the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
• Returning Officer for any Senedd constituency
• The Welsh Language Commissioner, Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner and members of the Advisory Panel to the Welsh Language Commissioner
• the Senedd Commissioner for Standards
• Members of staff of the Senedd Commission.

Candidates who are directly employed by Members of the Senedd and not by the Senedd Commission are not disqualified from standing for election. However, employment relationships can be complex and we advise anyone who is unsure about whether they are disqualified to speak to the Senedd’s HR department to confirm their employment arrangements and/or seek their own legal advice.

MPs standing at the Senedd election2

Members of the House of Commons cannot be members of the Senedd. While they can stand as candidates at the Senedd election, if successful, an MP would have to resign their seat in the House of Commons within eight calendar days of being elected to the Senedd.3

Other office holders standing at the Senedd election

Certain office holders cannot be Members of the Senedd. These office holders are listed in The Senedd Cymru (Disqualification) Order 2025.  These offices include:

Members of the Scottish Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly

Members of the Scottish Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly can stand as candidates at a Senedd election, but, if successful, they would have to resign their post before taking the oath of allegiance (or making the corresponding affirmation).

Members of the House of Lords  

Members of the House of Lords can stand as candidates at a Senedd election, but if successful, they would have to already have leave of absence from the House of Lords, or have made an application for leave of absence which has not been withdrawn or refused.

Members of the council of a county or county borough or community council in Wales

Members of the council of a county or county borough or community council can stand as candidates at a Senedd election, but, if successful, they would have to resign their post before taking the oath of allegiance (or make the corresponding affirmation).4

Certain other offices holders who are listed in the Senedd Cymru (Disqualification) Order 2025 may stand as candidates at a Senedd election, but, if successful, would have to resign their office before taking the oath or allegiance (or make the corresponding affirmation).

This list is not comprehensive and detailed lists of disqualifications are set out in the Government of Wales Act 2006 (as amended) and the Senedd Cymru (Disqualification) Order 2025.