If you want to be a local councillor, you can stand as a representative of a party, or as an independent candidate.
To be able to stand as a candidate, you need to be:
- 18 years old on the day of nomination
- a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
You also need to have either:
- lived in the Harlow district for at least a year before your nomination
- registered as a local government elector within the Harlow district
- rented or owned any land or premises within the Harlow district for at least a year before your nomination
- had your main employment in the Harlow district for at least a year before your nomination
You also need to get:
- 1 person to agree to propose your nomination
- 1 person to agree to second the proposal
- 8 people to sign your nomination paper.
All 10 of these people must be on the electoral register for the ward in which you are standing.
You cannot stand as a candidate if you:
- are employed by Harlow Council
- are subject to a Bankruptcy Restriction Order
- have a previous criminal conviction with a 3-month or more prison sentence, during the last 5 years
- have been disqualified under any legislation relating to illegal practices in elections.
More information on becoming a candidate can be found on the Electoral Commission website.