SCHEDULE 3THE MAYORAL ELECTION RULES
PART 3Stages Common To Contested And Uncontested Elections
Decisions as to validity of nomination papers
10.
(1)
Where a nomination paper and the candidate’s consent to it are delivered, and the deposit is made, in accordance with these Rules, the candidate must be deemed to stand nominated unless and until—
(a)
the GLRO decides that the nomination paper is invalid, or
(b)
proof is given to the GLRO’s satisfaction of the candidate’s death, or
(c)
the candidate withdraws.
(2)
The GLRO 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,
(b)
that the paper is not subscribed as so required;,
(c)
that the paper breaks rule 6(5) or (7).
(3)
Subject to paragraph (4), the GLRO 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 GLRO’s opinion a nomination paper breaks rule 6(5) or (7), he must give a decision to that effect—
(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 end of the period for the delivery of nomination papers set out in the timetable in rule 3.
(5)
Where the GLRO decides that a nomination paper is invalid, he must endorse and sign on the paper the fact and the reasons for his decision.
(6)
The GLRO must, as soon as practicable after making such a decision in accordance with paragraph (3) or (4) that a ballot paper is valid or invalid, send notice of it to the candidate at his home address as given in his nomination paper.
(7)
The GLRO’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 an election petition.