Rule 14 Decisions as to the validity of individual nomination papersI1

England and Wales

(1)

This rule applies where the following are delivered in accordance with these rules—

(a)

an individual nomination paper and accompanying home address form,

(b)

the candidate’s consent to nomination, and

(c)

the deposit.

(2)

The candidate stands nominated unless and until one of the following events occurs—

(a)

the returning officer decides that the nomination paper is invalid;

(b)

the returning officer is satisfied that the candidate has died;

(c)

the candidate withdraws.

(3)

The returning officer is entitled to hold an individual nomination paper invalid only on one of the following grounds—

(a)

that the particulars of the candidate are not as required by law,

(b)

that the paper is not subscribed as required by rule 5(6),

(c)

that the candidate is disqualified under section 16(A1) of the 2006 Act from being a member of the Senedd and from being a candidate to be a member of the Senedd, or

(d)

that the candidate’s candidature is in breach of section 7(5) of the 2006 Act^f1.

(4)

The returning officer must, as soon as reasonably practicable after each individual nomination paper, home address form and consent to nomination form has been delivered, examine them and decide whether the candidate has been validly nominated.

(5)

The returning officer must decide on any objection to an individual nomination paper—

(a)

as soon as reasonably practicable after it is made, and

(b)

in any event, before the end of the period of 24 hours beginning with the close of the period for the delivery of nomination papers.

(6)

Where the returning officer decides that an individual nomination paper is invalid, the returning officer must endorse on the paper the fact of the decision and the reasons for it, and sign the endorsement.

(7)

The returning officer must, as soon as reasonably practicable, give a notice to each candidate stating the returning officer’s decision as to whether the candidate’s nomination paper is valid or invalid.

(8)

The returning officer’s decision that an individual nomination paper is valid is final and may not be questioned in any proceedings.

(9)

Except as provided by paragraph (8), nothing in this rule prevents the validity of a nomination being questioned on a Senedd election petition.

Annotations

Commencement

I1: Sch. 5 rule 14 in force at 18.7.2025, see art. 1(2)

Footnotes

f1: Section 7 was substituted by section 8 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (asc 4).