Candidates and agents Briefing Borough Council Elections 2016

Topics Who’s who Key dates of the election timetable Qualifications / disqualifications Nominations Agents Registration Postal votes Campaign resources The poll Counting of votes Candidates’ expenses Contacts

Returning Officer’s staff John Williams – Deputy Returning Officer Colin Gamble – Deputy Returning Officer Louisa Robinson – Electoral Services Officer Amy Juson – Deputy Electoral Services Officer Fiona Abbott – Elections Staffing/ Nominations Keith Holden, Tim Row – Logistical Support Rob Harris, Loretta Hill, Olivia Allen

Elections Borough Council, 5 th May 2016 Police and Crime Commissioner, 5 th May 2016 EU Referendum, 23 rd June 2016

Election Timetable Publication of Notice of Election30 th March Nominations commence30 th March Close of nominations4pm – 7 th April Deadline for applications to register to vote 18 th April Deadline for new postal vote applications / changes to existing postal or proxy vote applications 5pm – 19 th April Polling Day5th May – 7am – 10pm Return of Election Expenses35 days from result

Qualifications Candidates must satisfy criteria on the day they are nominated and on polling day: –at least 18 years of age –British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any other member state of the EU –Registered local government elector for local authority area –Occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in the local authority area during the whole 12 months preceding nomination –Principal or only place of work (including unpaid) during last 12 months in local authority area –Lived in the local authority area during the last 12 months

Disqualifications A person cannot be a candidate if they: –are employed by the local authority or hold a paid office under the authority (including joint boards or committees). Candidates may be ‘employed by the local authority’ if they work at certain schools, fire services, police or health services –are subject of a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (or interim order) in England or Wales –have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (inc. suspended sentence) without option of a fine, during the 5 years before polling day –have been disqualified under Audit Commission Act 1998 –are disqualifed due to being found guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice by an election court –hold a politically restricted post

Submitting nomination papers Notice of Election Nomination papers available Informal checks – complete nomination papers early and arrange to provide informal checks –Telephone for appointment: Take care when completing your nomination papers as mistakes may invalidate your nomination Must return by Thursday 7 April

Nomination form –Include your full name and home address –Optional: use commonly used name box(es) if commonly known by a name other than full name and wish to use it instead. –Description field – 3 options: leave blank Independent party candidates can use party name or description authorised by a certificate issued by or on behalf of the Nominating Officer

Nomination form Subscribers: 10 subscribers are required. Must sign and print their names. Check details of subscribers against electoral register. Only ask subscribers to sign after completing the name, address and description fields on the form.

Consent to nomination form Must include: –name and address –which area standing in –confirmation of qualification(s) that apply (at least 1, but select all that apply) –date of birth & signature –witness’ name, address and signature

Certificate of authorisation Party candidates must have written permission to use the party name/description from the Nominating Officer (or a person appointed to act on their behalf) The certificate may: –allow the use of the party name or a particular description –allow a candidate to choose whether to use the party name or any of the descriptions registered with the Electoral Commission Must match the description used on the nomination paper Party candidates can ask for an emblem to be printed on the ballot paper

Election agent Responsible for the proper management of your election campaign, particularly its financial management. Notification of appointment must be submitted to the Returning Officer. Form is included in nomination pack. You will become your own agent by default if none is appointed.

Other agents Other agents can be appointed to attend postal vote openings, polling stations and the count on your behalf: –The appointment of postal voting agents attending a particular opening session must be made before the start of the session –You must give notice in writing of any people appointed as polling and counting agents

Registration Registration has changed from a household to an individual system. Individuals can now also register online at It only takes a few minutes. When discussing registering to vote with individuals, you will need to make them aware that they will need: –their National Insurance number, –date of birth and address to register. The deadline for applying for the election is 18 th April.

Postal Voting Postal vote applications Deadline to apply – 5pm 19 th April Postal votes dispatched on 18 th April (first batch) First opening on 21 st April Attendance at opening sessions Opening will take place up to end.

Code of conduct for campaigners (Postal voting) Never touch a postal ballot paper Never observe electors completing their postal vote Never handle or take any completed ballot pack from voters.

Access to electoral register / absent voting lists Entitled to the full register and the absent voters lists Make written request to the ERO – forms are available from the Electoral Office To be supplied in paper form unless electronic copy required Use the register to help you: –Complete your nominate form –Help your campaign

Campaigning dos and don’ts Do use imprints on all your campaign material – use imprint example: –Candidates and Agents Guidance – The Campaign – Part 4, Page 10 Do comply with planning rules relating to advertising hoardings and large banners. Do make sure outdoor posters are removed 2 weeks after the election. Do not produce material that looks like a poll card.

Polling day Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks Polling Agents Tellers – make sure tellers working for you follow dos and don’ts

Counting of votes The count will be held at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, Garon Park, Southend, SS2 4FA Attendance –Candidates, election agents, counting agents and one other person appointed by the candidate are entitled to attend. –Limits to counting agents Verification following close of poll and then count (PCC Count on 6 th May at 1pm)

Candidate spending Regulated period Limit on expenses: –£ pence per elector in ward on register in force on 1 st March Responsibility of election agent Returns due 35 calendar days after result of election Failure to submit an expenses return is a criminal offence enforceable by police

Contacts Elections office – or Electoral Commission contacts: –For questions on the Commission’s guidance on standing for election, contact: us/our-offices us/our-offices –For questions on election spending, contact or

Questions Thank You Please ensure you collect your candidate pack for guidance