Timetable – Polling day 6 May 2021

• Poll Cards going out - 24 March
• Notice of election - 24 March
• Nominations delivered by hand between 10am and 4pm from 25 March to 8 April to the address on the Notice of Election (Phoenix House)
• Notice of election agents must be submitted by 8 April
• Statement of persons nominated will be published by 4pm 9 April
• Deadline to register to vote - 19 April (midnight)
• Deadline for postal /proxy postal Vote applications - 5pm on 20 April
• Postal vote packs posted (first class) to electors (main batch) - 21 April
• Postal vote packs posted (first class) to electors (late batch) - 26 April
• Proxy vote new applications deadline - 5pm 27 April
• Appointment of Polling agents/counting agents deadline - 28 April
• First day to replace postal votes (spoilt or lost) - 29 April
• Emergency proxy/self isolation Covid reasons - 5pm 6 May

Qualifications to stand as candidates

18 years or over

British Citizen, Commonwealth or EU member state citizen Meet 4 qualification rules

• Registered elector in area (DCC or MDDC) or Parish area
• Own or tenant of land for 12months in area standing
• Place of work during last 12 months
• Lived in the area for the last 12 months

(use as many valid qualification options that are possible)

Disqualifications

• Paid employment by the Council area you are standing for
• Subject of a bankruptcy order (in force)
• Prison sentence of 3 months or more (without the option of a fine) in last 5 years
• Disqualified due to corrupt/illegal election practice or by Audit Commission Act issue
• Hold a political restricted post

Nominations

Must be delivered by hand to the Returning Officer (or her staff), Mid Devon District Council Offices, Phoenix House, Tiverton, EX16 6PP

Nomination paper/consent to nomination/ home address form must be delivered by hand

Emblem, certificate authorisation re party names and notification of elections agents can all be submitted electronically (email)

Appointment system for formal submission of nomination. However encourage the use of informal checks a phone call to office or email details

Only original documents accepted

Nomination form

Include your full name and full home address

Optional – you can use a commonly known name other than your full name if wished instead.

You can use 3 different descriptions :

• leave blank
• use the word ‘Independent ‘
• Party candidates can use a party name or description that has been authorised by/on behalf of the party’s Nominating Officer. At town/parish elections you may use a description of up to 6 words but must not be a name that would be confused with a party name but party candidates are

Other details

Just 2 Subscribers are now required as the proposer and seconder they must print and sign their names(which is checked against electoral register).This applies to all local elections (County District and parish).

Subscribers can only be asked to sign once you have completed with your name address and description

• A consent to nomination form must also be completed by each
• This must have your name address and the
• area that you are standing and date birth and signature

Consent to Nomination form

Must include:

• name and address
• which area you are standing in
• confirmation of qualification(s) that apply (at least 1, but select all that apply)
• Date of birth & signature
• Witness’ name, address and signature

Certifications of authorisations

Party candidates must have written permission to use the party name/description from the Nominating Officer (or a person appointed to act on their behalf)

The certificate may:

• allow the use of the party name or a particular description
• allow candidate to choose whether to use the party name or any of the descriptions registered with the Electoral Commission

Must be submitted by 4pm on Thursday 8 April

Emblem Request 

Party Candidates can ask for an emblem to be printed on ballot paper. Form must be submitted by 4pm 8 April

Party candidates should supply an electronic version of the emblem to the Returning Officer if required

Election agents

Responsible for the proper management of your election campaign; particularly its financial management. You do not have to have an Election Agent. If you do not appoint an agent, it is assumed you are your own agent.

Appointment notification must reach the Returning Officer by 4pm - Thursday 8 April.

Other agents

Agents can be appointed to polling stations and the count. Requests must be in writing giving details of people appointed as polling and counting agents by 28 April.

You can also appoint postal voting agents to attend postal vote opening sessions but must give notice to the Returning Officer before the start of any session. The Returning Officer must give 48 hours notice giving details of sessions. Forms are available for this.

Access to Register

Candidates can obtain a register once they officially become a candidate (when nomination form is delivered).

Must make written request to the ERO – forms available from the office also in nomination pack

You can only use register data for permitted purposes:

• to complete the nomination form to help you in the campaign
• to check that donations/loans are permissible

Campaigning and Covid Rules

Door to door campaigns permitted but candidates/agents must keep 2 metres apart & not enter any person’s house under COVID rules. Campaign literature should be collected or dropped off.

Most material will be online but must include imprint on all material, e.g. websites/e-documents/ notices.

Comply with planning rules relating to advertising hoardings/large banners. Make sure outdoor posters are removed 2 weeks after the election.

Do not produce material that looks like a poll card.

Do not pay people to display your adverts (unless they display adverts as part of their normal business).

Tellers still permitted but keep to COVID rules re social distancing

Polling Day

Poling Hours 7am- 10pm

Emergency proxy (for work medical or Covid reasons) deadline 5pm

Counting Arrangements

 

The Verification and Count Centre will be Lords Meadow Leisure Centre, Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, Commercial Road, Devon,EX17 1ER

Verification will commence at 10pm on Thursday 6 May 2021 and be open to candidates/agents from 10.00pm onwards

Counts will take place as follows:

Friday 7 May commencing at 10am (Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council seats)

Monday 10 May commencing at 10am (PCC and Parish By Elections and Cullompton Planning Referendum)

Candidates, election agents, counting agents and one other person (guest) appointed by the candidate are entitled to attend but must give prior notice to the Returning Officer. There will be strict limits in the number of counting agents taking into account COVID safety requirements, which the RO will give details on nearer the date

Candidate spending

Defined as certain expenses ‘used for the purposes of the candidate’s election’ after the date they officially become a candidate responsibility of election agent. Limit on expenses:

• £806 + 7 pence per elector in ward/division on register in force on 8 April (check revised figures)
• reduced for joint candidates
• Must get and keep receipts (over £20)

Contacts

Returning Officer: Jill May 01884 234381 jmay@middevon.gov.uk

Deputy Returning Officers:

Cliff Robinson crobinson@middevon.gov.uk

Jackie Stoneman jstoneman@middevon.gov.uk 01884 234214

Electoral Registration and Elections Office: 01884 255255 elections@middevon.gov.uk

Electoral Commission general enquires: infoengland@electoralcommission.org.uk Phone no. for candidate and agents enquiries – 0333 103 1928

Party and Election Finance enquires: pef@electoralcommission.org.uk