To qualify as a candidate a person must be 18 years of age and a Commonwealth citizen, citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of another Member State of the European Community and either:
- be registered as a local government elector within the Parish; or
- have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises during the previous twelve months with the Parish; or
- his/her principal or only place of work during the previous twelve months has been in the area of the Parish; or
- have resided within the Parish or within 3 miles thereof during the previous twelve months. (The ‘previous twelve months’ means the whole of the twelve months preceding the day on which he/she is nominated as a candidate).
There are certain disqualifications for election and holding office as a member of a local authority. They are contained in Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government Act 1985. The main disqualifications are as shown below.
- holding a paid office under the local authority;
- bankruptcy;
- having been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months without the option of a fine, during the five years preceding the election;
- being disqualified under any enactment relating to corrupt or illegal practices.