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Qualifications for standing for election

To be able to stand as a party list or an individual candidate at the Senedd election you must:1

  • be at least 18 years old
  • be registered as a local government elector in Wales  
  • be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, a qualifying foreign citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of the European Union who is resident in the United Kingdom.  

A qualifying Commonwealth citizen is a Commonwealth citizen who either:2

  • does not need leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or
  • has indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

A qualifying foreign citizen is a person who is not:3  

  • a Commonwealth citizen, or
  • a citizen of the European Union, or
  • a citizen of the Republic of Ireland and  

who has or does not require leave to remain or is treated as having leave to enter or remain in the UK.

Last updated: 19 September 2025