Managing an Election
Each local authority must appoint a person to be the Returning
Officer at an election. This officer will be responsible for
managing all the arrangements surrounding the election. They will
report the names of those elected as councillors to the local
authority.
Nomination
The election process starts with the publication of a Notice of
Election. This Notice sets out the timetable and arrangements for
the nomination of candidates. It states the name and address of the
Returning Officer, and where nomination papers may be obtained and
where and when they should be returned.
In order to become a candidate at a local election in England,
you must be sure you are eligible to stand and then submit a set of
nomination papers before the statutory deadline. Candidates may
complete more than one set of nomination papers.
Read more about
who can stand for election and
nomination.
Uncontested elections
If, after the close of nominations and the time allowed for
withdrawals, the total number of validly nominated candidates in an
electoral area is less than or equal to the number of seats to be
filled at the election, those candidates are declared to be
elected.
Contested Election
If there are more validly nominated candidates than seats to be
filled the Returning Officer will arrange for a poll (election) to
be held. |