Standing as a Candidate
On this page you will find information about:
Standing as a Candidate at a Parliamentary
Election, The Prospective Candidates and Agents
Briefing
There are also links to How to Contact Electoral Services,
Previous Election Results, Elections 2010
and Temporary Jobs at Election Time
Standing as a Candidate at a Parliamentary Election
To stand for election, on the day of nomination and on the day
of poll, you must be:
- aged 18 years or over, and either
- a British citizen, or
- a citizen of the Irish Republic, or
- a citizen of a Commonwealth country who does not require leave
to enter or remain in the UK, or who has indefinite leave to remain
in the UK
There is no requirement to be a registered elector in the
Constituency.
Citizens of other countries (including other
EU member states) are not eligible to become a Member of the UK
Parliament.
In addition, you must meet not be
disqualified from becoming a Member of the UK
Parliament
- someone who is subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order in
England or a debt restrictions order in Wales
- someone who has had their estate sequestrated in Scotland and
remains undischarged
- someone who has been adjudged bankrupt in Northern Ireland and
remains undischarged
- a convicted prisoner who is serving a prison sentence of more
than 12 months
- civil servants
- members of police forces
- members of armed forces
- government-nominated directors of commercial companies
- judges
- members of the legislature of any country or territory outside
the Commonwealth
- people found guilty of certain electoral offences (corrupt or
illegal practices)
- peers who sit and can vote in the House of Lords
- bishops of the Church of England (known as the Lords Spiritual)
who are entitled to sit and vote in the House of Lords
This list is not comprehensive and detailed lists of
disqualifying offices are set out in the House of Commons
Disqualification Act 1975 (as amended)
Under the Representation of the People Act 1981 a person is
disqualified from membership of the House of Commons if they meet
ALL of the following criteria:
- They have been found guilty of one or more
offences
- They have been sentenced to be imprisoned or
detained for more than one year
- They are detained in the UK, the Republic of
Ireland, the Chanel Islands or the Isle of Man, or are unlawfully
at large at a time when they would be otherwise be detained
You cannot stand in more than one Constituency
at the same UK Parliamentary General Election
Being a Member of the European Parliament is
incompatible with being a Member of the UK Parliament
You should consult this
legislation and, if in doubt, always seek your own legal advice.
The Acting Returning Officer will not be able to advise you on this
matter.
Further guidance will be available
shortly regarding submission of nomination papers and the £500
deposit.
If you are intending to stand
as a candidate you should contact the Elections Office for a full
nomination pack.
Further guidance on standing for election can
be obtained from:
The Electoral Commission, Trevelyan House, Great
Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW, Tel: 020 721 0500. Or you
can visit the Electoral Commission
Website
Further Information
Below are links to detailed information about previous
election results, up to the minute information about the 2010
elections in Bromsgrove and Temporary Employment Information
at Election Time.
