Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary by-elections in Great Britain Share on Email Print this page Print full guidance You are in the Qualifications and disqualifications for standing for election section Guidance for Candidates and Agents at UK Parliamentary by-elections in Great Britain What you need to know before you stand as a candidate Qualifications and disqualifications for standing for election Qualifications To be able to stand as a candidate at a UK Parliamentary by-election in Great Britain you must:be at least 18 years old1 be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or an eligible Commonwealth citizen2 An eligible Commonwealth citizen is a Commonwealth citizen who either:does not need leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, orhas indefinite leave to remain in the United KingdomCitizens of other countries are not eligible to become a Member of the UK Parliament.There is no requirement in law for you to be a registered elector in the UK. 1. Section 17(1) Electoral Administration Act 2006 (EAA 2006) ↩ Back to content at footnote 1 2. S.18 EAA 2006 ↩ Back to content at footnote 2 Last updated: 9 January 2024 Book traversal links for Qualifications Qualifications and disqualifications for standing for election Disqualifications