Nominations
Published 12 February 2026
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Representation of the People Bill 2026: Candidate nominations
Recent years have seen issues with people standing for election for the purpose of being disruptive or as sham candidates. To strengthen the integrity of the nominations process, deter impersonation or false nominations and help tackle this behaviour, candidates will be required to sign a very clear declaration along with their nomination setting out the requirement for truth in nomination forms and the penalties for lying.
This will be further reinforced by a new requirement for people wishing to stand for election to provide evidence of their identity. If we are asking electors to identify themselves in order to register and to vote, we think it is perfectly reasonable to ask candidates to do the same in order to stand. At the 2024 General Election multiple individuals stood under the same name across constituencies, highlighting the need for identity checks. To reinforce the integrity of the nominations process, the government will introduce a proportionate check that strengthen public confidence without creating unnecessary barriers to standing.
Where concerns arise about a candidate during the nomination period, political parties should be able to withdraw their support and nominate a new candidate for their party. This is not currently possible, so we will enable political parties to take appropriate action in these circumstances.
To further enhance the security of candidates, we will also be taking steps to facilitate better sharing of contact details at the point of nomination between candidates and local police forces to allow for security briefings.
Summary of measures in the Bill
Improving nominations
Provisions in the Representation of the People Bill will require candidates to provide proof of identity as part of the nominations process, ensuring they are who they say they are and helping to prevent impersonation or fraudulent nominations. In addition, a new statutory declaration will be introduced which candidates must sign to confirm they understand it is a criminal offence to knowingly provide false information on nomination papers.
To further improve the integrity of the nominations process, measures in the Bill will enable political parties to withdraw support for candidates who have already submitted their nomination papers prior to the close of nominations.
Supporting candidates
To enhance the security support offered to candidates, the Bill will provide a power for a new form capturing candidate’s contact details, which candidates will be able to complete and return with their nomination papers. The Returning Officer will send these contact details to the relevant local police force or forces so they can contact the candidate to invite them to security briefings for the election. Completion of the form will be optional.