Uncontested elections
25 Uncontested elections
If, after nominations have closed, it appears that the number of candidates nominated to contest the election does not exceed the number of persons required to be elected, the returning officer must declare the nominated candidate or candidates elected.
A declaration under subsection (1) relating to a periodic election must be made at the same time as the drawing of lots under section 29(3) for the purposes of the periodic election is conducted.
If—
after the close of nominations for a designated supplementary election and before the commencement of the issue of voting papers under section 39(1) for that election, another vacancy occurs in the office of a member of the council (other than in the office of mayor) (the subsequent vacancy);
and
it appears that the number of candidates nominated to contest the election does not exceed the number of persons required to be elected, the returning officer must declare the nominated candidate or candidates elected.
If a candidate is declared elected under subsection (1) or (1a)—
in the case of a supplementary election—the election of the candidate takes effect immediately; and
in other cases—the election of the candidate takes effect at the conclusion of the relevant elections (see section 4(2) of the Local
Government Act 1999).
In this section—
designated supplementary election has the same meaning as in section 6.
This Act’s bill:Second reading speech
The statute text is free to read above. View subscription options to unlock the case-law research tools for each provision.