Guidance for Returning Officers administering Local Government Elections in England

Candidate's consent to nomination

Candidates must formally consent to their nomination and deliver their consent by the deadline for delivery of nomination papers. The consent to nomination form is prescribed and must contain the required legal references.1

The form must contain:

  • the candidate’s date of birth
  • a statement that they are not disqualified from election 
  • a statement that they meet one or more of the qualifications for standing2

The disqualification orders for candidates have been updated by the Elections Act 2022.3   It is for the candidate to ensure that they are not disqualified from standing. Neither you nor the Commission are able to confirm whether or not a candidate is disqualified.

Candidates are not allowed to sign their consent form earlier than one calendar month before the deadline for submitting their nomination papers. 

The consent must be witnessed by another person,4 but there are no restrictions on who can be a witness to the consent to nomination. The witness must provide their name on the consent form and the witness’s address must be provided on the home address form.5

The consent to nomination form can be a form to like effect, but must include all of the signatures and information required by law.6 The consent must include a copy of Sections 80 and 81A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), Section 34 of the Localism Act 2011 (as amended) and Section 30 of the Elections Act 2022.7

Last updated: 24 September 2024