Page last updated at 09:40 GMT, Thursday, August 4 2011

Standing as a local candidate

There are 44 Eastleigh Borough Councillors.

Most candidates are nominated through a political party. However, individuals can stand in their own right.

• To become a candidate you must be at least 18 years of age and;
• You must have an entry on the electoral register, or
• Have lived, worked or owned property in the area for 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.

The Nomination Process

No experience is needed to stand for election as a Councillor. To stand as a candidate, a form known as a nomination paper must be submitted. The nomination paper gives details of the candidates name, address (in full) and political description that will be used during the campaign. A nomination paper has to be attested by a Proposer and Seconder and another 8 people who support your nomination to stand as a candidate.

Everyone signing the nomination paper must be included on the Register of Electors for the Ward in which the election is to be held. If someone signs your nomination paper and they are not included on the relevant Register of Electors, the paper will be declared invalid.

A person wishing to stand as a candidate will be issued with the following:-

• Nomination paper
• Consent to nomination
• Appointment of election agent
• Timetable

Candidates' guidance

A candidate who is standing on behalf of a registered political party will also need to submit:-

• Certificate of authorisation
• Request to use the party emblem

At the close of nominations the candidate will be notified as to whether or not the nomination is valid. If a candidate wishes to withdraw their nomination they have until no later than noon on 16th working day prior to the date of the election to withdraw.

The law now limits the description candidates can use. For a Borough council election, unless a person is standing on behalf of a political party, they may only use the word "Independent" or have no description at all. Candidates cannot submit a nomination paper using a political party description unless they have the political party's permission to do so and a certificate from the party authorising the use of their description can be obtained.

Some candidates appoint an agent to assist them, and they can be appointed to take responsibility for the management of your campaign. They can apply to the Council to arrange the appointment of other agents at the polling stations and at the count.

Does it cost any money to stand as a candidate?

There is no charge to stand as a candidate in Borough or Parish elections but there are strict rules on the amount and manner in which expenses are incurred by the candidate and how they are paid. The amount depends on the type of election and there is a limit on how much a candidate can actually spend.  Because of these strict rules, a detailed return has to be submitted, showing exactly how much and in what circumstances a candidate has incurred expenditure.

Any person wanting to stand for election can arrange a meeting with the Elections Office. Please phone 023 8068 8110 or email elections@eastleigh.gov.uk.

Appointment of election agent

Another person can act as an election agent for a candidate. They must complete an appointment of election agent, and that appointed agent must sign a declaration of acceptance. If no such application is received the candidate will be deemed to be acting as their own agent.

The election agent is entitled to attend polling stations, the opening of postal ballot papers, the verification and the count.

The election agent is responsible for all acts involved in carrying out the election on behalf of the candidate and has a duty to ensure the campaign is conducted according to the law. In particular the election agent is responsible for the financial management of the election campaign and for ensuring that the declarations and returns of expenses incurred by and on behalf of the candidate are delivered to the appropriate officer.