Official and comprehensive guidance is available on the Electoral Commission website, where you can find information about eligibility, how to stand, candidate spending, the campaign, nominations, postal votes, polling day, verification and count, and what happens after the declaration of the result. The Electoral Commission website should have all of the answers to any questions you have.

The following YouTube videos have been created to help candidates complete nomination papers:

• completing your nomination papers
• home address form and relevant area

Nomination papers and appointments for submission

You can download our nomination pack, which you will need to print and complete.

Make sure you follow the instructions carefully. You may find it useful to refer to the Electoral Commission videos and our annotated nomination papers document to help you complete them successfully.

Nomination papers must be hand delivered. As a candidate, you can submit your nomination papers yourself or ask someone you trust to submit them for you.

How to book an appointment

We have a self-service booking system for nomination submission appointments. The window for nominations is only 6 working days. You must book an appointment to submit your nomination papers as early as you can. This will allow time to overcome any possible issues and ensure your nomination is successful.

You can book an appointment using the online booking form.

Candidate security

You can view the latest candidate security guidance which has recently been published by HM Government.

After you are successfully nominated for election

We will send regular email communications to candidates with further information about the electoral processes and local arrangements, along with reminders of deadline dates and other information.

The following election notices will be published on the dates specified:

• notice of election: Wednesday 19 August
• statement of persons nominated: by 4pm on Friday 28 August
• notice of poll and situation of polling stations: Wednesday 16 September

Where possible, these notices will be made available for public viewing at main council offices and on the election page.

Candidates are automatically included on the list to attend key electoral events, such as the opening of postal votes, polling stations and the count. They can also appoint specific agents to attend these events. The deadline for appointing polling and counting agents is Thursday 17 September.

Candidates will be advised of the maximum number of counting agents allowed once the final number of candidates is known.