Standing for election

To become a councillor, you will have to stand as a candidate at the local elections.  Although most candidates are generally affiliated to political parties, you can stand as an independent candidate.

Qualifications

To qualify as a candidate for elections to a local authority, a person must be at least 18 years old on the day of nomination and must be either:

• a British citizen;
• a citizen of the Republic of Ireland;
• a qualifying Commonwealth citizen; or
• a citizen of another Member State of the European Union.

A prospective candidate must also meet one of four qualifications:

• be a registered elector for the local authority area, or
• for the whole of the previous twelve months have lived in that area; or
• for the whole of the previous twelve months have occupied, as owner or tenant, any land or premises in that area; or 
• for that twelve months have had their principal or only place of work in that area.

Disqualifications

There is a range of disqualifications which can prevent a person from standing as candidate at a local election.  Further details of such disqualifications are shown on the nomination forms.

Paperwork

Any person wishing to stand as a candidate will need to complete the following paperwork:

• a nomination paper, countersigned by ten registered electors for the ward in which you are standing for election;
• a consent to nomination, confirming that you are willing to stand for election and witnessed by one other person; and
• an appointment of election agent, unless you are taking this role on yourself.

If you are a candidate for a registered political party you will also need to submit:

• a certificate of authorisation from the political party; and
• a request to use the party emblem on the ballot paper.

If you wish to receive a set of nomination papers, please contact the Electoral Services Office on 020 8379 8582 or download a generic set by clicking here.

Further generic guidance is available by clicking here.

Frequently Asked Questions