The naming of the candidacies is the formal event by which the organ that governs the electoral process publicly announces which candidacies are to take part in the election and which parties they represent. This is usually published in the official elections gazette or by whichever system of edicts is established in each country. Once the appeals against such candidacies have been resolved, or the term of appeal has expired, the following occurs:
- The terms of the electoral contest are set and it is determined among which candidacies they will be discussed;
- It is determined which candidacies are entitled to the public aid allotted to the elections, e.g., the use of public premises or spaces, funding, exposure in public media and other forms of aid that candidates may receive;
- The way is paved for the following phases and material preparations of the elections--the electoral campaign and the logistical preparations that fall upon the electoral administration, such as the printing of the voting paper.
