SCHEDULE 3Combined Authority Mayoral Election (Combination of Polls) Rules
PART 3Stages common to contested and uncontested elections
Decisions as to validity of nomination papers F1and home address forms12
1
Where a nomination paper and the candidate's consent to nomination F2and home address form are delivered in accordance with these Rules, the candidate shall be deemed to stand nominated unless and until—
a
the combined authority returning officer decides that the nomination paper is invalid, or
F3b
the combined authority returning officer decides that the candidate’s home address form—
i
does not comply with the requirements of rule 6(6) or (8), or
ii
if the form contains a statement under rule 6(7)(a), does not comply with the signature requirement in that rule or the requirements of rule 6(7)(b), or
c
proof is given to the combined authority returning officer's satisfaction of the candidate's death, or
d
the candidate withdraws.
2
The combined authority 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, F7...
b
that the paper is not subscribed as so required,
F8c
that an order under section 30 of the Elections Act 2022 (disqualification orders) has effect in relation to the candidate.
3
4
If in the combined authority returning officer's opinion a nomination paper breaks rule 7(1) or (3), the combined authority returning officer 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 last time for delivery of nomination papers set out in the Timetable in rule 3.
5
Where the combined authority returning officer decides that a nomination paper is invalid, the combined authority returning officer must endorse and sign on the paper the fact and the reasons for that decision.
6
The combined authority returning officer must send notice of the decision that a nomination paper is valid or invalid to each candidate at the candidate's home address as given in the F6home address form.
7
The combined authority 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.