Synodical Government Measure 1969

[F1 40 (1) A candidate for election to the house of clergy of a diocesan synod must be nominated by two qualified electors, each of whom is a member of the house of clergy of the deanery synod to which the candidate belongs. E

(2) A candidate for election to the house of laity of a diocesan synod must be nominated by two qualified electors, each of whom is a member of the house of laity of the deanery synod to which the candidate belongs.

(3) The presiding officer for the election must ensure that each qualified elector is given a notice of election in Form 4 and a nomination paper in Form 5; and the manner in which the Forms are to be given is—

(a) if the elector has notified the diocesan electoral registration officer that he or she wishes to use email for that purpose, by email to the address notified;

(b) otherwise, by post to the address recorded for that elector in the register of clerical or lay electors or in person.

(4) A nomination paper must be accompanied by a statement signed by the candidate—

(a) that he or she is willing to serve if elected, and

(b) if the candidate so wishes, setting out in no more than 100 words a factual statement for circulation with the voting papers of his or her professional qualifications, present office and relevant past experience.

(5) A nomination paper and the accompanying statement under paragraph (4) are to be given to the presiding officer; and the manner in which they are to be given is (subject to Rule 42(7))—

(a) if the elector has notified the diocesan electoral registration officer that he or she wishes to use email for that purpose, by email from the address notified, with the nomination paper and accompanying statement each being in the form of a scanned copy of the original or such other electronic form as the presiding officer may authorise, or

(b) otherwise, by post or in person.

(6) The presiding officer must, in accordance with the timetable fixed by the bishop under Rule 35(2)(a), determine the period within which nomination papers and the accompanying statements are to be lodged with him or her; and the period so determined must be at least 21 days, subject to that timetable.

(7) Where a nomination paper or accompanying statement is sent by email, the presiding officer may require the elector to provide the original before the end of three days after the end of the period determined under paragraph (6).

(8) The presiding officer must—

(a) scrutinise each nomination paper as soon as it is lodged, and

(b) without delay, inform the candidate whether the nomination is valid.

(9) If the presiding officer rules that a nomination is not valid, the officer must give reasons for that ruling.

(10) A person is not included as a candidate for an election to a diocesan synod if the presiding officer has not received a valid nomination for that person—

(a) by the end of the period determined under paragraph (6), except in so far as there is a requirement under paragraph (7) to be complied with, and

(b) in so far as there is such a requirement, by the end of the three days referred to in that paragraph.

(11) The presiding officer must, within seven days of receiving a request from a validly nominated candidate, supply free of charge to that candidate one copy of the name and address of every qualified elector.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 3 substituted (1.1.2020) by Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 (No. 1), s. 1(3), Sch. 1 (with Sch. 3); S.I. 2019/1460, art. 2