Electoral Commission Help For Independents

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

Rhydian Thomas, Head of the Electoral Commission’s Wales Office said: “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.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Mark James, Returning Officer for Carmarthenshire, said: “We encourage all independent candidates who are thinking of standing in the local government elections in May to attend this event which will cover the nominations process, campaigning rules and important information from the local police force regarding integrity.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There are four training sessions taking place on: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Wednesday 8 March in Merthyr Tydfil
• Wednesday 15 March in Swansea
• Monday 20 March in Carmarthen
• Thursday 23 March in Wrexham

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Electoral Commission on 02920 346800. These events are free to attend. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​