Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Senedd election

Who can bring an election petition and on what grounds?

An election petition can be used to challenge the result of elections. A petition for a Senedd election can be presented by:

• a person claiming to have been a candidate at the election
• a person claiming to have had a right to be elected or returned at the election
• a person who voted as an elector at the election or who had a right to vote at the election

An election petition may not be presented by an elector who has registered anonymously.1

What is the basis for an election petition?2

The allowable grounds for a petition are that there has been either an:

• undue election
• undue return

Who is made a respondent?

The duly elected candidate whose election is questioned will most probably be made a respondent to the petition. If the petition relates to the conduct of the election, the relevant RO, may also be a respondent to the petition.3

Deadlines for bringing petitions

A petition at a Senedd election must normally be presented within 21 calendar days of the name of the elected candidate being returned to the Clerk.4

Further time may be allowed in certain circumstances.5

Any person who is considering presenting an election petition should be advised to take their own legal advice. For any questions relating to election petitions and the process for submitting petitions, including confirmation of the deadlines, you should contact the Elections Petitions Office:

The Election Petitions Office
Room E105
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London WC2A 2LL
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 020 7947 6877