Parish and Town Council - Standing as a Candidate

To stand for election to a Parish or Town Council, there are a number of criteria that you must meet.

Information on standing as a candidate in local elections is available on the Electoral Commission website.

In short, to qualify to be a candidate for a local election, the day you are nominated and on the day of the election you must satisfy the following criteria:-

  • aged 18 years or over
  • and either a UK or Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the Irish Republic, or a citizen of a member state of the EU.

In addition, you must meet at least one of the following:

  • on the day of nomination and on the day of the election you are and thereafter you continue to be registered as a voter in the Parish
  • for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election you have occupied any land other other premises as owner or tenant in the Parish
  • for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election your principal or only place of work has been in the Parish
  • for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election you have resided in the Parish or within three miles of it

You will be unable to be elected and to serve as a Councillor if:

  • you are a paid employee of the Parish
  • you are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order
  • you have within five years, before the day of the election, been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months without the option of a fine

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