Guidance for Returning Officers administering Local Government Elections in England

Once you have decided that a nomination is valid, it cannot be challenged during the election, although it may be challenged after the election through an election petition.1
 
If you determine a nomination to be invalid, you must:2

• state this on the nomination form
• write the reasons for rejection on the form
• sign the form

In both cases you must send a notice of your decision that a nomination paper is valid or invalid to the candidate's home address (as given on the home address form).3  

This should be done as soon as practicable after your decision has been made.