If you are interested in standing as a candidate full guidance is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, for

• local elections
• parish council elections.

The guidance covers:

• eligibility
• how to stand
• permitted expenditure
• the campaign
• your rights
• what happens after the declaration of the result. 

We also have our:

• pre-candidacy information for prospective candidates
• elections toolkit for parish and town councils.

More information on becoming a councillor is available on our become a councillor page, or on GOV.UK.  

Nomination packs

Nomination packs will be made available from late February and submissions can be made by appointment from 10am on Friday 24 March until 4pm on Tuesday 4 April 2023. To request a nomination pack, or to make an appointment for submission please email us at candidates.agents@bcpcouncil.gov.uk, stating:

• your full name
• address
• the area you wish to stand in.

Prospective candidate briefing events

Briefing sessions will be held to outline key points on:

• eligibility for standing for election
• completing nomination papers
• campaigning and spending
• key election dates.   

There will be one separate session for parish/town council candidates as there are some differences. If you are interested in both, you are welcome to attend both events providing there are spaces.  

As well as members of the elections team, Graham Farrant the Returning Officer will be present at all events. In relation to the BCP Council local elections our democratic services colleagues will also be in attendance to outline the role of a councillor. There will be an opportunity to ask questions after the sessions. 

If you are unable to attend one of the sessions in person, it will be possible to join the 27 February session virtually, by using MS Teams. 

For local council election candidates:

• Thursday 23 February from 5:30pm to 6:15pm at Christchurch Library
• Monday 27 February from 6:pm to 6:45pm at BCP Council Civic Centre (HMS Phoebe)
• Thursday 2 March from 5:30pm to 6:15pm at the Guildhall in Poole - unfortunately now cancelled due to low attendance.

For parish council election candidates:

• Thursday 23 February from 6:15pm to 7pm at Christchurch Library.

To register for a session

If you are interesting in attending one of our in person events, then please email us at candidates.agents@bcpcouncil.gov.uk with your:

• name
• ward or area in which you wish to stand for election
• if you wish to pick up a hard copy of the nomination pack
• preferred date and time.  

If you would like to join the 27 February virtual session, please email candidates.agents@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to request the meeting link.