ELECTIONS

1. THE NEXT ELECTIONS

The results of the Borough Council elections held on 1st May 2008 are available here.

2. HOW TO BECOME A COUNCILLOR

Candidates at local elections are sometimes unfamiliar with the procedures. Here are a few notes which may be of assistance.

3. ELIGIBILITY FOR NOMINATION

To be eligible for election to a Borough Council or Parish Council, a person MUST

be 21 years of age on the day of nomination
be a Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Community
be a local government elector for the area of the borough or parish (as appropriate) OR
during the whole of the 12 months preceding
(a) have occupied (as owner or tenant) any land or premises in the borough or parish; OR
(b) have had their principle or only place of work during those 12 months in the appropriate area; OR
(c) have, during those 12 months, lived in the appropriate area; OR
(d) (for Parish Councils only) have lived within 4.8 kilometres (three miles) of the parish.

4. NOMINATION OF CANDIDATE

Each candidate must be nominated by a separate Nomination Paper which must be delivered to the Returning Officer, Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe by the date shown in the timetable.

The nomination paper must be signed by two electors for the Borough (or Parish, as the case may be) as Proposer and Seconder. A Nomination paper for a Borough election must also be signed by eight other such electors as Assentors. Parish Council nominations require only a proposer and seconder. All signatories must be electors for the Ward, Parish or Parish Ward for which the candidate is standing, and must be of an age to vote at the election.

A candidate need not give a description, but any description given must not be more than 6 words long. It may be of either a personal or political nature.

You can download a copy of the nomination form here (pdf)

5. CONSENT TO NOMINATION

The candidate must give his/her consent in writing on, or one month before, the last day for delivery of nomination papers.

You can download a copy of the Consent to Nomination form here (pdf)

6. REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES

If a candidate uses a description relating to a registered political party, the nomination paper must be accompanied by a certificate issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of the party.

7. WITHDRAWAL FROM CANDIDATURE

A candidate may withdraw his/her candidature by a written notice signed by the candidate in the presence of a witness who must also sign the notice. The notice must be delivered to the Returning Officer within the timetable.

8. ELECTION AGENT

Parish Elections Agents are not required.

Borough and County Elections Every candidate must appoint an agent. If they do not, the candidate is deemed to be their own agent.

9. CANDIDATES GUIDE

The Electoral Commission's Guide is an external website that contains details of the election timetables, nomination procedures and campaign regulations.