SCHEDULE 1THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS RULES
PART IIISTAGES COMMON TO CONTESTED AND UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS
Decisions as to validity of nomination papers10
1
Where a nomination paper and the candidate’s consent to it are delivered in accordance with these Rules, the candidate shall be deemed to stand nominated unless and until—
a
the returning officer decides that the nomination paper is invalid, or
b
proof is given to the returning officer’s satisfaction of the candidate’s death, or
c
the candidate withdraws.
2
The returning officer is entitled to hold the nomination paper of a person invalid only on one of the following grounds—
a
that the particulars of the candidate or of the persons subscribing the paper are not as required by law; and
b
that the paper is not subscribed as so required.
3
Subject to paragraph (4), as soon as practicable after each nomination paper has been delivered, the returning officer shall examine it and decide whether the candidate has been validly nominated.
4
If the returning officer is of the opinion that a nomination paper contravenes rule 6(5), he shall give a decision to that effect as soon as practicable after the last time for the delivery of nomination papers.
5
Where the returning officer decides that a nomination paper is invalid, he shall endorse and sign on the paper the fact and the reasons for his decision.
6
The returning officer shall, as soon as practicable after making such a decision as is mentioned in paragraph (4) or (5), send notice of it to the candidate at his home address as given in his nomination paper.
7
The returning officer’s decision that a nomination paper is valid shall be final and shall 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 an election petition.