Basic Information
The specific information to be provided by parties and candidates when nominating for election will vary according to legislative requirements (see Candidates Registration). Some information would be regarded as essential in any election system:
- name and address of candidate;
- statement of acceptance of nomination from each candidate;
- where the candidate claims to be standing as an endorsed candidate of a registered party, a confirmation by the party of this endorsement in the legislatively specified manner;
- certification by the candidate that the information provided on the nomination form is correct.
Additional Information Requirements
Depending on the requirements of election legislation, other specific statements or disclosures that may need to be made on the nomination papers could include:
- a list of names and addresses of the required number of nominators (see Signatures);
- the format in which the candidate wishes their name (and/or the party name) to appear on the ballot;
- any symbol or photograph to be used to identify the candidate/party on the ballot;
- provision of a deposit for candidacy (see Deposits and Nomination Deposits);
- name and address of candidate's agent or representative.
For legal frameworks for candidate qualifications for nomination, see Candidates' Qualifications.
How Much Specific Information Is Required
Careful consideration needs to be given to what information should be specifically provided about the candidate in nomination papers and what can be left to a general declaration of qualifications for candidacy.
In many jurisdictions such information is disclosed in a declaration by candidates that they are properly qualified to be nominated, rather than by specific information or proof being provided. Such declarations would include:
- general qualifications required by legislation, such as minimum age, voter eligibility, nationality/citizenship;
- freedom from any disqualifications defined in the legal framework (which may concern such issues as employment by the state in certain positions, convictions for criminal or electoral offences, bankruptcy, being in debt to state authorities).
This is a practical method that makes the nomination process easier for candidates. However, it may make thorough verification by election officials less convenient (see Responsibilities for Verification of Nomination Data and Errors in Nominations) and could result in challenges to election results if the candidate is later found not to be properly qualified.
(For some further information on candidate requirements for nomination, see Verification of Qualifications.)
Nomination Forms Design
Specific areas for provision of all required information should be provided on the nomination forms produced for candidates. Where parties nominate lists of candidates for election, provision for a single set of nomination papers covering all endorsed candidates may assist both the party and election administrators. A similar 'bulk nomination' alternative to nomination at the local level can also relieve workloads where parties endorse candidates in numerous individual electoral districts.
(For some examples of nomination forms, see Nomination of candidates local authority elections - Namibia, Nomination of candidate regional council elections - Namibia, Candidate registration form - Guinea Bissau, Candidate/Party Nomination Forms - New Zealand, Candidate Nomination Forms - Australia, 1996, Parliamentary Nomination Paper - Ghana, and Petition In Lieu of a Filing Fee - USA, Texas.)
Party Endorsement
Similarly, there is a need to ensure that there are both clear legislative definition, and appropriate publicity, of the requirements for party endorsement of candidates. If the power of endorsement is held by officials of the party, rather than through a public primary election process, legislative provisions need to be particularly clear on which party officials (commonly those listed as the authorised officer or officers of the party in the party registration papers) are authorised to provide the party's endorsement of a candidate.
Party endorsement would generally be more effectively provided as part of the nomination papers to the official, whether at the local or central level, who is responsible for determining acceptance of nominations. However, where a party is endorsing candidates in numerous individual constituencies, legislative provision to allow an overall nomination/endorsement, covering all official party candidates, to be provided centrally, and then to be split and sent to the appropriate local election administration offices for action may be effective.
Use of Symbols
In jurisdictions where candidates or parties may use identifying symbols on ballot papers, it can be useful to develop and publicise a list of approved symbols from which candidates/parties may choose. By consulting with candidates on their choice, electoral administrators can largely eliminate disputes over similar or illegal symbols, or rejection of candidacy on these grounds. Such a list can be of great assistance in local elections, where larger numbers of locally-based parties may register and inexperienced or independent candidates can be expected.
