Representation of the People Act 1983

Nomination of candidates U.K.

6 (1) Each candidate shall be nominated by a separate nomination paper, in the form in the Appendix delivered— U.K.

(a) by the candidate himself, or

(b) by his proposer or seconder,

to the returning officer at the place fixed for the purpose, but the paper may be so delivered on the candidate’s behalf by his election agent if the agent’s name and address have been previously given to the returning officer as required by section 67 of this Act or are so given at the time the paper is delivered.

(2) The nomination paper shall state the candidate’s—

(a) full names, [F1 and]

(b) F2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) if desired, description,

and the surname shall be placed first in the list of his names.

[F3 (2A) If a candidate—

(a) commonly uses a surname that is different from any other surname the candidate has,

(b) commonly uses a forename that is different from any other forename the candidate has, or

(c) otherwise commonly uses one or more forenames or a surname in a different way from the way in which the candidate’s names are stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) (for example, where the commonly used names are in a different order from the names as so stated, include only some of those names, or include additional names),

the nomination paper may state the commonly used name or names in addition to the names as stated in accordance with paragraph (2)(a).]

[F4 (3) The description, if any, must consist of either—

(a) a description F5 . . . which is authorised as mentioned in rule 6A(1) [F6 or (1B)] below; or

(b) the word “Independent” or, where the candidate is the Speaker of the House of Commons seeking re-election, the words “The Speaker seeking re-election”.]

[F7 (4) The nomination paper must be accompanied by a form (in this Schedule referred to as the “home address form”) which states the candidate's—

(a) full names, and

(b) home address in full.

Provision in paragraph (1) above about delivery of the nomination paper applies also to the home address form.

(5) The home address form—

(a) may contain a statement made and signed by the candidate that he requires the home address not to be made public; and

(b) if it does so, must [F8 —

(i) where the candidate’s home address is in the United Kingdom, state the constituency or the relevant area within which that address is situated;

(ii) where the candidate’s home address is outside the United Kingdom, state the country within which that address is situated.]]

[F9 (6) In paragraph (5)(b)(i), “relevant area” means—

(a) in relation to a home address in England—

(i) if the address is within a district for which there is a district council, that district;

(ii) if the address is within a county in which there are no districts with councils, that county;

(iii) if the address is within a London borough, that London borough;

(iv) if the address is within the City of London (including the Inner and Middle Temples), the City of London;

(v) if the address is within the Isles of Scilly, the Isles of Scilly;

(b) in relation to a home address in Wales—

(i) if the address is within a county, that county;

(ii) if the address is within a county borough, that county borough;

(c) in relation to a home address in Scotland, the local government area in which the address is situated;

(d) in relation to a home address in Northern Ireland, the local government district in which the address is situated.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in Sch. 1 rule 6(2)(a) inserted (4.9.2009) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), ss. 39, 43(1), Sch. 6 para. 8(2); S.I. 2009/2395, art. 2 (with art. 3)

F2 Sch. 1 rule 6(2)(b) repealed (4.9.2009) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), ss. 24(2)(a), 39, 43(1), Sch. 7; S.I. 2009/2395, art. 2 (with art. 3)

F3 Sch. 1 rule 6(2A) substituted (1.11.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 10(2), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(b) (with Sch. para. 1(2))

F4 Sch. 1 rule 6(3) substituted (16.2.2001) by 2000 c. 41, s. 38(1)(2) (with s. 156(6)); S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)

F5 Words in Sch. 1 rule 6(3)(a) repealed (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 19(4)(a), 74(2), 77, Sch. 2; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(f)(aa)(cc)(v) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts 2, 4

F6 Words in Sch. 1 rule 6(3)(a) inserted (1.1.2007 for E.W.S. and 1.7.2008 for N.I.) by Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22), ss. 19(4)(b), 77; S.I. 2006/3412, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 14(f) (subject to transitional provisions in art. 6, Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/1316, arts 2, 4

F7 Sch. 1 rule 6(4)(5) inserted (4.9.2009) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c. 12), ss. 24(2)(b), 43(1); S.I. 2009/2395, art. 2 (with art. 3)

F8 Words in Sch. 1 rule 6(5)(b) substituted (1.11.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 11(2)(a), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(b) (with Sch. para. 1(2))

F9 Sch. 1 rule 6(6) inserted (1.11.2023) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 11(2)(b), 67(1); S.I. 2023/1145, reg. 3(b) (with Sch. para. 1(2))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 rule 6 applied (with modifications) (N.I.) (4.5.1996) by S.I. 1996/1220, art. 3(1)(5)-(8), Sch. 1

Sch. 1 rule 6 applied (with modifications) (1.8.2001) by S.I. 2001/2599, art. 3, Sch. 1 (as substituted (10.2.2009) by S.I. 2009/256, arts. 1(2), 3, Sch. 1)

C2 Sch. 1 rules 6, 7, 8 applied (with modifications) (E.W.S.) by S.I. 1986/2209, regs. 2, 3, 5(1)(6)(8), Sch. 1 Pt. I

C3 Sch. 1 rules 6, 7, 8 applied with modifications (N.I.) by S.I. 1986/2250, regs. 2, 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. I