Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary by-elections in Great Britain

When must nomination papers be submitted? 

You should submit your nomination papers as early as possible to give you sufficient time to submit new nomination papers should your first set contain any errors.

The (A)RO will confirm the exact details of when and where they can be delivered on the notice of election.

The notice of election will be published no later than 4pm on the second working day after the writ is received by the (A)RO.1

In most cases, the notice of election will be published on the local authority's website.

You can submit nomination papers between the hours of 10am and 4pm from the day after the publication of the notice of election until 4pm, 19 working days before the poll.

If, after you have submitted your nomination papers you change your mind and no longer want to stand for election, you can withdraw, provided you do so by 4pm, 19 working days before the poll.

Last updated: 11 January 2024