Who can stand as a candidate?
You can qualify as a candidate if at the time of nomination and on polling day.
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Be at least 18 years of age; and
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Be a British Citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of any other member state of the European Union.
The candidate must also meet at least one of the following criteria
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Registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which they wish to stand; or
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Have occupied as owner or tenant any land premises in the local authority area; or
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Main or only place of work during the last 12 months has been in the local authority area; or
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Have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the last 12 months.
Certain people are disqualified from being elected to a local authority.
You cannot be a candidate if at the time of either nomination or election
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Are employed by the local authority or hold a paid office under the authority (including joint boards and committees);
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Are the subject of a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order or have been otherwise disqualified;
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Have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence) without the option of a fine, during the five years before polling day.
When can nominations be made?
Nominations can be submitted after publication of the Notice of Election.
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Candidates wishing to stand at this year's local election will be able to submit their nomination papers during office hours from 27 March 2008 until 12 noon on 4 April 2008.
Nomination packs are available to anyone who wishes to stand as a candidate.
For further information on the nomination process and to obtain a nomination pack please contact Electoral Services on 0191 433 2151 or e-mail electoralregistration@gateshead.gov.uk|.
Alternatively information can be obtained from the Electoral Commission's web site|.