Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

135 Meaning of “candidate”

(1) In section 118 of the Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983 (interpretation of Part II), for the definition of “candidate” there shall be substituted—

““candidate” shall be construed in accordance with section 118A below;”.

(2) After section 118 of that Act there shall be inserted—

“118A Meaning of candidate

(1) References to a candidate in this Part of this Act shall be construed in accordance with this section (except where the context otherwise requires).

(2) A person becomes a candidate at a parliamentary election—

(a) on the date of—

(i) the dissolution of Parliament, or

(ii) in the case of a by-election, the occurrence of the vacancy,

in consequence of which the writ for the election is issued if on or before that date he is declared by himself or by others to be a candidate at the election, and

(b) otherwise, on the day on which he is so declared by himself or by others or on which he is nominated as a candidate at the election (whichever is the earlier).

(3) A person becomes a candidate at an election under the local government Act—

(a) on the last day for publication of notice of the election if on or before that day he is declared by himself or by others to be a candidate at the election, and

(b) otherwise, on the day on which he is so declared by himself or by others or on which he is nominated as a candidate at the election (whichever is the earlier),

or, in the case of a person included in a list of candidates submitted by a registered political party in connection with an election of the London members of the London Assembly at an ordinary election, on the day on which the list is submitted by the party.”

(3) The amendments made by this section do not have effect in relation to local government elections in Scotland.