Electoral Commission Help For Independent Election Candidates

The Electoral Commission is offering training sessions for people wishing to stand as independent candidates in this year’s local government elections in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A training session for North Wales will be held on Thursday, 23 March, at the Council Chamber, Guildhall, in Wrexham (5pm-7pm). The session will be attended by Returning Officer for Wrexham County Borough Council, Dr Helen Paterson. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Rhydian Thomas, Head of the Electoral Commission’s Wales Office, explained, “It’s important that those considering standing as a candidate in the upcoming local government elections in Wales are fully aware of the rules and regulations in place. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We look forward to working with the respective local authorities and with prospective candidates to ensure that this information is communicated effectively making the process of standing for election as straightforward as possible.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Gwynne Jones, Returning Officer for the Isle of Anglesey County Council, added, “We encourage all independent candidates who are thinking of standing in the local government elections in May to attend this event. It will cover the nominations process, campaigning rules and important information from the local police force regarding integrity”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Electoral Commission on 02920 346800. This event is free to attend. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​