Technical Notes 2022, Issue 27 - Scottish Local Government Elections 2022 – Prospective Candidates Briefings

1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide Members with details of briefings for prospective candidates in the upcoming Scottish Local Government Elections (SLGE), which have been scheduled for early March and otherwise update on the current timetable.    
    
2. The SLEG are scheduled to take place on 5 May 2022.  The Count will take place on Friday 6 May at the Leisuredrome.  Officers are progressing the planning of the SLEG and a number of cross-service teams are dealing with different aspects of the arrangements.  As with last year’s Scottish Parliament election, preparations for the various stages, including Postal Votes opening, Polling and the Count, are being developed having regard to COVID.  Appropriate public health measures will be in place to protect voters, candidates and those working at the election. 
    
3. The current timeline for the electoral process is as follows –
   
   Prospective Candidates Briefings            1/2 March 2022
   Notice of Election publication                   14March 2022
   Commencement of Nominations              15 March 2022
   Closure of Nominations                             30 March 2022 @ 4 pm
   Publication of Notice of Poll                       30 March 2022
   Candidates & Agents Briefings                  6/7 April 2022
   First Issue of Postal Votes                         14 April 2022
   First opening of Postal Votes                     19 April 2022
   H&S Briefing for Candidates’ Teams          2/3 May 2022
   Polling Day                                                 5 May 2022
   Election Count                                            6 May 2022
   Statutory Meeting                                       19 May 2022 @ 5pm
   
    
4. The Returning Officer is holding briefing sessions for prospective candidates.  These will be virtual sessions and will take place on the following dates –

Tuesday 1 March @ 6pm
Wednesday 2 March @ 3pm

The briefing sessions are open to anyone who is or may be considering standing for election to the Council.  Any Member wishing to attend should contact Sarah Tomlinson (Sarah.Tomlinson@eastdunbarton.gov.uk)  who will then send a link to the relevant session.  Details will be circulated to local political party contacts and will also be available on the Council’s website and Social Media accounts.

5.  The prospective candidates briefing will set out the process for nominations and some of the general rules around campaigning etc.  The administrative arrangements around   nominations are somewhat different this year and so even experienced Members will find it useful to attend one of the sessions.  Importantly, they will also cover the time   commitment for all Councillors post election – as with previous years there is an intensive period of training and familiarisation, in addition to the Statutory Meeting followed by a   cycle of committee and other meetings. 
    
6.   Further updates will be issued to Members as arrangements are finalised.

Prospective Candidates Briefings            1/2 March 2022
Notice of Election publication                   14March 2022
Commencement of Nominations              15 March 2022
Closure of Nominations                             30 March 2022 @ 4 pm
Publication of Notice of Poll                       30 March 2022
Candidates & Agents Briefings                  6/7 April 2022
First Issue of Postal Votes                         14 April 2022
First opening of Postal Votes                     19 April 2022
H&S Briefing for Candidates’ Teams          2/3 May 2022
Polling Day                                                 5 May 2022
Election Count                                            6 May 2022
Statutory Meeting                                       19 May 2022 @ 5pm