Standing for election

If you wish to stand for election in Stockport at the 7 May local elections, whether on behalf of a political party or as an independent, you must be nominated as a candidate.

By law, to stand for election as a councillor, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old on the day of your nomination
  • be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights
  • meet at least one of the relevant qualifications
  • not be disqualified from holding office

Further information on standing for election, including qualifications and disqualifications, can be found in the Electoral Commission’s guidance for Candidates and Agents. It is strongly recommended that anyone standing for or considering standing for election familiarise themselves with this guidance.

To stand for election you must submit a completed set of valid nomination papers.

The earliest you may submit a nomination paper is Monday 30 March at 10am, and the legal deadline to submit nomination papers is 4pm on Thursday 9 April. No nominations may be accepted after this date.

If you would like to stand for election or are going to be acting as an election agent, or if you have any questions, please contact Electoral Services as soon as possible at elections.office@stockport.gov.uk.

Pre-nomination briefing sessions will be delivered by Electoral Services over Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 24 March and Wednesday 25 March at 6pm. These sessions are designed to provide guidance and information on completing nomination papers, navigating the nominations process and standing for election. It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in acting as an election agent or standing as a candidate attend one of these briefings.

To register your interest in attending and to be added to a mailing list, please contact Electoral Services using the email above.

More information on submitting nomination papers will be contained in the Notice of Election published on Monday 30 March at 10am.