Decisions as to validity of nomination papers
11.—(1) Where a nomination paper and the candidate’s consent to it and the home address form are delivered and a deposit is made in accordance with these rules, the candidate is deemed to stand nominated unless and until—
(a)the police area returning officer decides that the nomination paper is invalid, or
(b)the police area returning officer decides that the home address form does not comply with rule 5(5) or (7), or
(c)proof is given to the police area returning officer’s satisfaction of the candidate’s death, or
(d)the candidate withdraws.
(2) The police area returning officer is entitled to hold a nomination paper invalid only on one of the following grounds—
(a)that the particulars of the candidate or the persons subscribing the paper are not as required by law;
(b)that the paper is not subscribed as so required.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the police area returning officer must, as soon as practicable after each nomination paper has been delivered, examine it and decide whether the candidate has been validly nominated.
(4) If in the police area returning officer’s opinion a nomination paper breaks rule 6(1) or (3), the officer must give a decision to that effect.
(5) Any decision under paragraph (4) must be given—
(a)as soon as practicable after the delivery of the nomination paper, and
(b)in any event, before the end of the period of 24 hours starting with the close of the period for delivery of nomination papers set out in the Table in rule 1.
(6) Where the police area returning officer decides that a nomination paper is invalid, the officer must—
(a)endorse on the paper the fact that the nomination is invalid and the reasons for the decision, and
(b)sign the paper.
(7) The police area returning officer’s decision that a nomination paper is valid is final and may not be questioned in any proceeding whatsoever.
(8) Subject to paragraph (7), nothing in this rule prevents the validity of a nomination being questioned on a PCC election petition.