Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Senedd election

Party list candidates

A registered party and each candidate included on the party list are deemed to be validly nominated if you have received the necessary deposit and the following completed forms, by 4pm, 19 working days before the poll:

• the party nomination paper1  
• a certificate authorising the use of the party name or a registered description which includes a request to use one of the party’s registered emblems (if desired)2     
• a home address form for each candidate on the party list3  
• a consent to nomination for each candidate on the party list4  

The party can submit a list of up to 8 candidates to stand in a constituency.

Any party standing at the election must be registered on the Commission’s register of political parties at http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk and be listed as allowed to field candidates in Wales.5

Individual candidates

An individual candidate is deemed to be validly nominated if you have received the deposit and the following completed forms, by 4pm, 19 working days before the poll:

• an individual nomination paper6  
• a home address form7  
• a consent to nomination8

Production of nomination papers

Nomination forms can only be produced in English and Welsh, in the prescribed form or a form to like effect and not in any alternative languages or formats.9 You must supply on request to any person as many nomination forms as they require.10
 
Information should be included with any packs sent out, signposting the information about the arrangements for delivering nomination papers by email or online. For example, you could include wording making it clear that nomination papers may be delivered electronically but can only be accepted if the delivery meets the specific requirements as set out in the electronic delivery statement as to form and delivery method.
 
We have produced a set of nomination papers, which includes the forms that you can provide to anyone who requests them.
 
Individual candidates and party list candidates do not have to use the nomination forms that you have produced and supplied,11 but the form must be as prescribed in the legislation or a form to like effect.
 
We have also produced a nominations checklist which sets out what you need to consider and specific things to look out for when determining a nomination.

You can find nominations packs and nomination checklists in the nominations section of our resource page.