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Candidates and Agents Information

Candidates and Agents Information. Local government elections – 5 May 2011. Topics. election timetable qualifications disqualifications nominations agents postal votes day of poll counting of votes candidates expenses contacts. Election Timetable. Election timetable (cont’d).

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Candidates and Agents Information

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  1. Candidates and Agents Information Local government elections – 5 May 2011

  2. Topics • election timetable • qualifications • disqualifications • nominations • agents • postal votes • day of poll • counting of votes • candidates expenses • contacts

  3. Election Timetable

  4. Election timetable (cont’d)

  5. Qualifications • Candidates must satisfy criteria on day they are nominated and on polling day: • At least 18 years of age • British, qualifying Commonwealth (with indefinite leave to remain), Irish, member state of EU • Also at least one of the following: • Registered local govt elector for local authority area • Occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in the local authority area during the whole 12 months preceding nomination • Principal or only place of work (including unpaid) during last 12 months in local authority area • Lived in local authority area during the last 12 months.

  6. Disqualifications • A person cannot be a candidate if: • employed by the local authority or hold paid office under the authority • subject of a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (or interim order) in England or Wales • they have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (inc suspended sentence) without option of a fine, during the 5 years before election day • have been disqualified under Audit Commission Act 1998 • serving a disqualification due to being found guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court • hold a politically restricted post

  7. Nominations • The Returning Officer (RO) will adjudicate the nomination on the basis of the information provided on the nomination paper. To see that it is ‘correct on its face’. • The only reasons for rejection are: • particulars are not as required by law • paper is not subscribed as required • the description is not as required

  8. Nominations (cont’d) • Nomination Paper • Points to note: • any commonly used names will appear on official notices and ballot papers • description must match certificate • description must match Electoral Commission website • proposer, seconder and assenters must use their normal signature, print their name and have their elector number

  9. Nominations (cont’d) • Consent to Nomination • Must include: • name and address details • confirm which area standing in • confirm their qualification(s) • date of birth must be included • candidate must sign and date form • witness must sign and date form

  10. Descriptions on ballot papers • Independent candidates, 2 choices: • ‘independent’ • no description • Party-nominated candidates, 2 choices: • registered name of the political party • description registered by the political party

  11. Nominations (cont’d) • Authorisation of party description (i.e. not ‘Independent’) and use of party emblem • Please note: • candidate must have written permission to use the description from the nominating officer (or a person appointed by them to act on their behalf) • description must match authorisation certificate and be the party’s registered name or a description registered with the Electoral Commission • nominating officer may allow candidate to choose a description or the party name • party candidates can ask for an emblem, an electronic version of the emblem should be supplied to the RO if required

  12. Joint candidates • Nominated by more than one party • May use registered joint descriptions • No provision for joint emblems

  13. Agents • Election agent • must be officially appointed and accept the appointment by noon on 7 April 2011 • Polling agent • the RO requires notice in writing of any people appointed as polling agents by 26 April 2011 • Counting agent • the RO requires notice in writing of any persons nominated to attend the counting of the votes by 26 April 2011

  14. Postal Votes • Code of conduct – no candidate or supporter should put themselves in a position where their honesty or integrity, or that of the candidate or party, can be questioned • Personal identifiers • absent voters required to provide a sample signature and their date of birth on their application • this information is stored electronically and checked against the security statement returned with the electors completed postal vote pack • This adds additional security steps to the processing of applications and verification of returned votes • it is important that any received applications or postal vote packs are returned to the elections office as soon as possible to ensure adequate time for processing

  15. Day of Poll • Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm • Office open [x]am to [x]pm for queries or problems relating to the administration of the election • any queries relating to regulatory issues or queries about a candidate’s campaign literature please contact the Electoral Commission (contact details shown later) • Polling station inspectors and their remit • Tellers – refer to guidance • Canvassing • Highways guidance for posters • Postal Votes – can be handed into polling stations within voting area or delivered to the elections office until 10pm.

  16. Counting of Votes • [insert local arrangements for the counting of local government election votes] • Count centre will open to candidates, agents and spectators from [x] • The count will be held in: • [insert count centre location/address] • Make sure appointments for Counting Agents are submitted to the RO prior to deadline

  17. Spending issues

  18. Candidates’ expenses • Defined as certain expenses ‘used for the purposes of the candidate’s election’ after the date they become a candidate • Responsibility of election agent • Limit on expenses: • £600 + 5 pence per elector in ward/division • reduced for joint candidates

  19. Candidates’ expenses returns • Returns due 35 days after result of election • Returns made public by Returning Officer • Sample of returns reviewed by the Electoral Commission • Failure to submit an expenses return is a criminal offence

  20. Contacts

  21. Contacts • Elections office – [insert] • Highways department – [insert] • Electoral Commission contacts [delete as appropriate] • Eastern and South East Office 020 7271 0600 • London Office 020 7271 0689 • Midlands Office 02476 820086 • North of England Office 01904 567990 • South West Office 01392 314617 • Party and Election Finance 020 7271 0616

  22. Questions

  23. Thank you Please ensure you take your candidate’s pack for guidance

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