How can I stand in an election?

Full guidance for candidates is provided by the Electoral Commission, the independent body that regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections.

Standing as a candidate

Find out if you are eligible to stand

In UK Parliamentary elections all candidates must be 18 years old or over and either:

• A British citizen
• A citizen of the Republic of Ireland
• A citizen of a commonwealth country who does not require leave to enter or remain in the UK, or has indefinite leave to remain in the UK

Certain groups of people are not allowed to stand, these include:

• Members of the police forces
• Members of the armed forces
• Civil servants, judges and peers who sit and can vote in the House of Lords
• People who are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or a debt relief restrictions order in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
• People who have been adjudged bankrupt in Northern Ireland
• People who have had their estate confiscated (sequestrated) in Scotland

See Electoral Commission guidance for more information:

• Can you stand for election? (PDF) (external site)
• Can you stand for election? - Northern Ireland (PDF) (external site)

Become a validly nominated candidate

You will need to become a validly nominated candidate, which means your name will appear on a ballot paper. To do this you need to submit a completed set of nomination forms along with a deposit of £500 to the (Acting) Returning Officer before 4pm on the deadline day for nominations.

All candidates need to appoint an election agent, who is the person responsible for the management of your election campaign and its financial management. If you do not appoint an agent, you will become your own agent by default.

See Electoral Commission guidance for more information:

• Standing as an independent candidate (PDF) (external site)
• Standing as an independent candidate - Northern Ireland (PDF) (external site)
• Standing as a party candidate (PDF) (external site)
• Standing as a party candidate - Northern Ireland (PDF) (external site)

Rules on candidate spending and donations

There are rules on spending and donations that candidates and agents must follow. Candidates need to be fully aware of these rules and ensure that their agent is following them.

See Electoral Commission guidance for more information:

• Spending and donations (PDF) (external site)
• Spending and donations for candidates and agents in Northern Ireland (PDF) (external site)

Planning and running a campaign

You will probably want to plan and run a campaign to let voters in your area know what you stand for. Validly nominated candidates are entitled to free postage for one election communication to voters in their constituency.

See Electoral Commission guidance for more information:

• The campaign (PDF) (external site)
• The campaign - Northern Ireland (PDF) (external site)

Attending key electoral processes

As a validly nominated candidate you are entitled to attend the opening of returned postal votes and the count.

See Electoral Commission guidance for more information:

• Your right to attend key electoral events (PDF) (external site)
• Your right to attend key electoral events - Northern Ireland (PDF) (external site)

After the results have been announced

If you are successful, your win will be publicly announced and you will be given information on how to attend Parliament. Successful candidates must swear an oath or make an affirmation in Parliament before they can take their seat as an MP.

See Electoral Commission guidance for more information:

• After the declaration of result (PDF) (external site)
• After the declaration of result - Northern Ireland (PDF) (external site)

Further information

The Electoral Commission website has detailed guidance available for Candidates and Agents.

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