Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Senedd election

The table below contains a number of worked examples of various combinations of commonly used names and how this would affect the appearance of a party list or individual candidate’s name on the statement of parties and persons nominated (as appropriate).

If either the commonly used forenames or commonly used surname box is left blank, then the candidate’s actual forenames or surname, depending on which commonly used name box has been left blank, will go on the statement of parties and persons nominated and on the ballot paper.
 
You should advise the party and individual candidate’s that the use of commonly used names applies to the statement of parties and persons nominated, the notice of election agents (where a candidate is acting as the election agent) and the ballot paper. The candidate’s actual name should appear on any documents that are required to show the candidate’s name, such as the imprint and candidate’s spending returns.
 
You may also use commonly used names when declaring the result and when publishing the notice of result where the statement of parties and persons nominated shows that a candidate uses a commonly used name. You should advise all parties and individual candidates if you plan to use commonly used names in this way.

If you refuse the use of a commonly used name, the validity of the nomination form remains unaffected. Instead, the effect is that the candidate's full name will appear on the statement of parties and persons nominated (as appropriate), and the ballot paper. This should be made clear to parties, individual candidates, and agents and you must write to the candidate setting out the reasons for refusing to allow the use of the commonly used name.1