Becoming a candidate at an election
Being a candidate at parish council elections
You can be a candidate at a parish council election if you are 18 or over, on the electoral register, live, work or own property in the area for at least the past 12 months or you live within 4.8km (3 miles) of the parish boundary.
You may be disqualified as a candidate if you work for the Council or hold a politically restricted post with another local authority. Bankruptcy or a previous criminal conviction with a three-month or more prison sentence would also disqualify you as a candidate.
Candidates can be stand for a political party but many parish councillors are independent. To stand as a candidate, you must complete a nomination form and a consent to nomination. If you are standing for a political party you must also have an authorisation form from them.
Your nomination must be signed by a proposer and a seconder. These people must be included on the electoral register for the area in which you are standing.
Elections for all parish councils in the Cotswold District are held every four years in May. The next scheduled elections will be in May 2011.
If a current councillor resigns or becomes disqualified or dies, the vacancy is publicised. Details of current parish council vacancies can be viewed using the 'RELATED LINKS' section below.
Being a candidate at District and County elections
You can be a candidate at a District or County elections if you are 18 or over, on the electoral register, live, work or own property in the area for at least the past 12 months.
You may be disqualified as a candidate if you work for the Council or hold a politically restricted post with another local authority. Bankruptcy or a previous criminal conviction with a three-month or more prison sentence would also disqualify you as a candidate.
Most candidates are nominated through a political party. However, individuals are welcome to stand in their own right. To stand as a candidate, you must complete a nomination form and a consent to nomination. If you are standing for a political party you must also have an authorisation form from them.
Your nomination must be signed by a proposer, a seconder and 8 assentors. These people must be included on the electoral register for the area in which you are standing.
District and County elections are held every four years in May. The next scheduled elections for County are in May 2009.
If a current councillor resigns or becomes disqualified or dies, a by-election is held to fill the seat. Details of current by-elections can be viewed using the 'RELATED LINKS' section below.
CONTACTS
Elections
Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1PX
Telephone: 01285 623 002
Fax: 01285 623 907