Parliamentary Election 2010

How do you qualify to stand for election?

1. Local Government Elections

To qualify as a candidate for a local government election, a person must not be disqualified from holding office and must also be both:

• A British or Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of the European Union.
• 18 years of age or more on the date of nomination and, if there is a poll, on the day of the election.

They must also meet one of the following criteria:

• They must be a local government elector for the area, ie included in the register of electors on the date of nomination and thereafter.
• During the preceding twelve months prior to nomination, they must have occupied as owner or tenant, any land or other premises in the area.
• His/Her principal or only place of work during the previous twelve months must have been in the area.
• For the whole of the previous twelve months, they must have resided in the area.
• In the case of parish elections only, they must have resided in the area for the whole of the previous twelve months, or within three miles of the area.

In order to stand for election, a candidate for a borough or county election must submit a nomination paper signed by ten electors for the electoral area (ward or division) by the statutory deadline and in the required form, together with a candidate's consent to nomination.

2. Parliamentary Elections

United Kingdom

To qualify as a candidate for UK Parliamentary elections, a person must not be disqualified from holding office and must also be both:

• A British or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.
• 18 years of age or more on the date of nomination and, if there is a poll, on the day of the election.

To stand for election, a candidate must submit a nomination paper signed by ten electors for the constituency and lodge a deposit of £500, which is refundable only if the candidate receives more than 5% of the total votes cast for each candidate at the election.

Europe

For European Parliamentary elections, the same qualifications would apply with the addition that the candidate would also qualify by reason of being a citizen of the European Union.

The elections for the European Parliament are based on a form of proportional representation with candidates nominated through registered political party lists or independent candidates. There is no requirement for the nomination to be signed by electors.

A deposit of £5,000 is required, which is refundable only if the candidate achieves more than 2.5% of the total votes for the region.