Timelines for an election
Some of the content on these pages are under review and will be updated shortly.
Local government elections
The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 prescribes the timelines for county and county borough elections. Rule 1 outlines the following:
|
Proceedings |
Time |
|
Publication of notice of election |
Not later than the twenty-fifth day before the day of election |
|
Delivery of nomination papers |
Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election |
|
Publication of statement as to persons nominated |
Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the eighteenth day before the day of election |
|
Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidate |
Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election |
|
Notice of poll |
Not later than the sixth day before the day of election |
|
Polling |
Between the hours of 7 in the morning and 10 at night on the day of election |
Rule 1 of the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 prescribes the same timescale for town and community council elections.
The above timeline will apply for ordinary local government elections and by-elections.
Senedd Cymru elections
The National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007 prescribes the timelines for Senedd Cymru elections. Rule 1 (in Schedule 5) outlines the following:
|
Proceedings |
Time |
|
Publication of notice of election |
Not later than the twenty-fifth day before the day of election |
|
Delivery of nomination papers |
Between the hours of 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon on any day after the date of publication of the notice of election but not later than the nineteenth day before the day of the election |
|
Publication of statement as to persons nominated |
Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the eighteenth day before the day of election |
|
Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature |
Not later than 4 in the afternoon on the nineteenth day before the day of election |
|
Notice of poll |
With the publication of statement as to persons nominated (Rule 32) |
|
Polling |
Between the hours of 7 in the morning and 10 at night on the day of election |
It should be noted that these are the minimum timescales. The notice of election could be issued much sooner. Preparation for an election may also take place much sooner than the above for example if ballot papers need to be printed or candidates for political parties need to be selected.