Guidance for Police Area Returning Officers administering a Police and Crime Commissioner election in England and Wales

After the close of nominations you must publish a statement of persons nominated and a notice of poll.1   

You can find more information on the content of these notices in our guidance for PAROs on Statement of Persons Nominated and the Notice of poll.

As you will now know which candidates are standing in your area, it is important to revisit your project plan and risk register. You should check whether they are still suitable or if any amendments are needed to ensure that processes run smoothly, safely and efficiently.

Factors to consider could include the number of candidates standing, the level of experience that the candidates and the political parties represented have of standing for election and their knowledge of electoral processes, as well as any local risks or issues that could require specific management by Local Returning Officers (LROs) at polling stations or the count.

Where you have made arrangements to do so, you should forward the email and phone contact details of candidates standing in the election to the FEOA. You should ensure that candidates are aware of how their information will be used and provide them with the opportunity to opt out if necessary. For more information, see our guidance for LROs on working with your local police force.

Nomination in more than one area

A candidate may not stand for election in more than one PCC election held on the same date. A candidate who is validly nominated for more than one police area must withdraw from being a candidate in all areas except one, before the deadline for withdrawals. If they do not, they will be deemed to have withdrawn from being a candidate in all police areas.2

Uncontested elections

The election is uncontested if either:

• only one valid nomination is received 
• all valid nominations are properly withdrawn by the deadline except one

If the election is uncontested, you must, as soon as practicable, declare the remaining validly nominated candidate elected.    

You must give public notice of the name and description (if any) of the elected candidate.  

You must send a copy of the notice to the Minister and to each LRO in the police area, and you should take steps to ensure that each LRO publishes the notice in their voting area.3