Guidance for candidates and agents

Transcription

1 Do It On-line: Tonbridge & Malling Elections, 7 May 2015 Parliamentary election: Tonbridge & Malling Constituency Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council (54 Councillors) Parish and Town councils within the TMBC area Guidance for candidates and agents

2 Contents Part 1 Important information... 3 Conventions in this document... 3 Contacting us... 4 Contacting the Electoral Commission... 4 Part 2 The Returning Officer and her staff... 5 Role of the Returning Officer... 5 Part 3 Elections taking place... 6 Parliamentary Election... 6 Borough Council elections... 7 Parish and Town Council elections... 8 Part 4 Election timetable Part 5 Nominations Submitting nominations Deposits Uncontested elections Part 6 Requirement of Secrecy Part 7 Registering to vote14register to vote Part 8 Absent voting Postal voting Proxy voting Emergency proxy voting Issuing of postal votes Opening of postal votes Part 9 Polling Day Polling Stations Part 10 Verification and count Count venues Attendance at the count Part 11 Security Part 12 Election expenses Part 13 Nomination forms Page 2

3 Part 1 Important information This guidance has been produced for candidates and election agents involved in the May 2015 elections within Tonbridge & Malling. It contains local information to supplement that provided by the Electoral Commission. Please read it through carefully before you complete any nomination papers. This document also provides links to nomination forms which are available from the Electoral Commission. Important! These guidance notes briefly set out the main points for candidates at the May 2015 elections. They are intended for general guidance only and are not a comprehensive statement of the law. The precise interpretation and adherence to the legislation is the responsibility of the candidate and election agent. However, if candidates or agents have any query with the guidance notes, the Returning Officer or her deputies will do their best to clarify matters. Conventions in this document This document is intended to be viewed electronically. All links shown should direct you to the relevant webpage, and links and cross-references within the document should work. If you have a paper copy of this document and wish to have an electronic version for ease of reference, please voting@tmbc.gov.uk. Wherever this symbol is shown, the link will take you to a webpage. Note that neither TMBC nor the Returning Officer have any control over any external websites referenced. RO Throughout this document, the term Returning Officer (abbreviated as RO) is used to refer to the Returning Officer for the local elections in Tonbridge & Malling, as well as the Acting Returning Officer for the Tonbridge & Malling Parliamentary Constituency election. This is the same person and the two roles are equivalent. Page 3

4 Contacting us The Elections Office at Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council can be contacted as follows: The Elections Office Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Gibson Building Gibson Drive Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4LZ Tel: Web: Contacting the Electoral Commission Guidance in this document is supplementary to Electoral Commission (EC) guidance, to highlight local circumstances. It should be read in conjunction with the EC guidance which is available from the following contacts at the Commission: Web Site: Telephone: Page 4

5 Part 2 The Returning Officer and her staff The Returning Officer (formally the Acting Returning Officer for Parliamentary elections) for Tonbridge & Malling is Julie Beilby. For this election, Julie has appointed three deputies to assist her in addition to the staff in the council s Electoral Services team. Candidates and agents should normally, in the first instance, contact Richard Beesley if they require any clarification or information regarding the election. Julie Beilby Richard Beesley Sharon Shelton Adrian Stanfield Elections office staff: Jackie Geddes Joanne Miller Carol Scoble Returning Officer Chief Executive, TMBC Deputy Returning Officer Elections & Special Projects Manager, TMBC Deputy Returning Officer Director of Finance & Transformation, TMBC Deputy Returning Officer Director of Central Services, TMBC Senior Electoral Services Officer Electoral Services Officer Electoral Services Officer richard.beesley@tmbc.gov.uk If candidates and agents wish to provide contact details to electors, please provide the following generic information. An officer in the team will be able to assist, and using group and telephone numbers helps us to ensure enquiries are dealt with promptly. Elections Office Web: voting@tmbc.gov.uk Tel: Role of the Returning Officer The primary duty of the Returning Officer is to deliver a free and fair election, which delivers the result expressed by the electorate in the ballot box, in accordance with appropriate legislation. The extent of her role is set out in law, and extends to preparing and delivering the elections. There are two principal areas in which neither the Returning Officer nor her staff have any jurisdiction and are unable to provide advice. These are: (i) Disagreements between candidates or parties regarding the conduct of another. The Returning Officer is not in a position to adjudicate between individuals or groups nor offer advice to either side. Breaches of the law should be reported to the police; disagreements which remain within the law should be resolved between those concerned. (ii) Election finance. This is a complex area outside of the jurisdiction of the Returning Officer. Advice is available from the Electoral Commission. Neither the RO nor her staff are able to advise how to complete the statutory forms, nor whether particular expenses should be included or not. The time limit for returning expense forms remains in force regardless of unresolved queries, so candidates and agents are advised to contact the Electoral Commission early in the process if anything is unclear. Page 5

6 Part 3 Elections taking place On 7 May 2015 there will be a number of different elections taking place within the borough of Tonbridge & Malling. These include the Parliamentary elections for the Tonbridge & Malling and Chatham & Aylesford constituencies, elections for all Borough Council seats, and elections to all parish and town councils. Parliamentary Election There are two constituencies that serve this Borough. The constituencies are unchanged from previous elections. Constituency Area included Election administered by Chatham & Aylesford Tonbridge & Malling This includes the areas of Aylesford, BlueBell Hill, Burham, Ditton, Eccles, Larkfield, Snodland, Walderslade and Wouldham, as well as parts of Medway area. This includes the rest of the Tonbridge and Malling Borough plus Bough Beech, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Hever and Leigh from Sevenoaks District Council. Election administered by Medway council. Information is available direct from them. electoralservices@medway.gov.uk Telephone: Election administered by us. Maps of the boundaries are available from and click on maps. Alternatively our direct link is Page 6

7 Borough Council elections From the May 2015 elections there will be 54 Borough Councillors. Ward boundaries and the numbers of councillors representing each ward have changed since the last elections. Maps of the boundaries are available from and click on maps. Alternatively our direct link is Borough ward Number of councillors to elect Aylesford North & Walderslade 3 Aylesford South 2 Borough Green & Long Mill 3 Burham & Wouldham 2 Cage Green 2 Castle 2 Ditton 2 Downs & Mereworth 2 East Malling 2 Hadlow & East Peckham 3 Higham 2 Hildenborough 2 Judd 2 Kings Hill 3 Larkfield North 2 Larkfield South 2 Medway 3 Snodland East & Ham Hill 2 Snodland West & Holborough Lakes 3 Trench 2 Vauxhall 2 Wateringbury 1 West Malling & Leybourne 3 Wrotham, Ightham & Stansted 2 Page 7

8 Parish and Town Council elections Parish and parish ward boundaries and the numbers of councillors representing each area have changed in some cases since the last elections. Maps of the boundaries are available from and click on maps. Alternatively our direct link is Parish Number of councillors to elect Addington 7 Aylesford Warded see next table Birling 7 Borough Green 11 Burham 8 Ditton 13 East Malling and Larkfield Warded see next table East Peckham 11 Hadlow Warded see next table Hildenborough 11 Ightham 9 Kings Hill 12 Leybourne ** 11 * Mereworth Warded see next table Offham 7 Platt 9 Plaxtol 9 Ryarsh ** 7 Shipbourne 7 Snodland Town Council Warded see next table Stansted 7 Trottiscliffe 7 Wateringbury 9 West Malling 11 West Peckham 7 Wouldham 8 Wrotham 9 * This electoral area has had a change in the number of councillors representing it since the last election. ** Parish boundaries have been changed since the last election. Page 8

9 Parish ward Number of councillors to elect Aylesford Parish ** Aylesford North Ward 2 Aylesford South Ward 8 * Blue Bell Hill Ward 2 * Walderslade Ward 5 Eccles Ward 3 East Malling and Larkfield Parish ** East Malling Ward 6 Larkfield North Ward 6 Larkfield South Ward 5 Hadlow Parish Golden Green Ward 2 Hadlow Ward 11 Mereworth Parish Mereworth Village Ward 5 The Airfield Ward 2 Snodland Town Council ** Snodland East & Ham Hill Ward 6 Snodland West & Holborough Lakes ward 9 * This electoral area has had a change in the number of councillors representing it since the last election. ** Parish ward boundaries have been changed since the last election. Page 9

10 Part 4 Election timetable Action Parliamentary Local Publication of Notice of Election Tuesday 31 March Monday 30 March Delivery of Nomination Papers (including consent, deposits, political party forms) Deadline for delivery of Nomination Papers 10am to 4pm on working days from Wednesday 1 April to Thursday 9 April 4pm on Thursday 9 April 10am to 4pm on working days from Monday 30 March to Thursday 9 April Deadline for Withdrawal of Candidature 4pm on Thursday 9 April Deadline for notice of appointment of election agents 4pm on Thursday 9 April Publication of first interim election notice of alteration Thursday 9 April Publication of second interim election notice of alteration Friday 10 April Publication of Statement of Persons 5pm Thursday 9 April Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Unless objections are made to Polling Stations nominations n/a Publication of Statement of Persons Nominated n/a Friday 10 April Last day for applications to be included onto the Register of Electors in order to vote in the Monday 20 April election Deadline for requests for a new postal vote, or to change / cancel existing absent vote 5pm on Tuesday 21 April arrangements. Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (except medical emergencies) 5pm on Tuesday 28 April Publication of Notice of Poll and Situation of polling stations n/a By Tuesday 28 April Publication of final election notice of alteration Wednesday 29 April Last day for notice of appointment of polling or counting agents Wednesday 29 April First day of requests to issue replacement spoilt or lost postal ballot papers Thursday 30 April Polling day Thursday 7 May 2015 Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy on the grounds of a medical emergency 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2015 Last day to issue replacement spoilt or lost postal ballot papers 5pm on Thursday 7 May 2015 Return of election expenses forms Friday 12 June Borough: Friday 12 June Parish: Thursday 4 June Page 10

11 Part 5 Nominations Candidates and election agents are strongly advised to read this section before completing any nomination forms. It should be read in conjunction with the Electoral Commission guidance.note that nomination forms are available from the same links. All signatures on nomination forms must be in wet ink ; electronic signatures cannot be accepted. Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents regarding the Parliamentary election is available from Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents regarding the Borough council elections is available from Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents regarding the parish / town council elections is available from In order for a candidate to be validly nominated, the Returning Officer must receive the following duly completed documents: Parliamentary election Borough council election Parish/Town council election Nomination paper, completed and then signed by 10 registered electors from within the constituency. Candidate s consent to nomination, completed, signed and witnessed. Nomination paper, completed and then signed by 10 registered electors from within the Borough ward. Candidate s consent to nomination, completed, signed and witnessed. Nomination paper, completed and then signed by 2 registered electors from within the parish or parish ward. Candidate s consent to nomination, completed, signed and witnessed. Home Address Form Not applicable Not applicable If standing on behalf of a political party: If standing on behalf of a political party: If standing on behalf of a political party: certificate from the registered nominating officer of the party. Optionally, such a candidate may also request use of a political party emblem. certificate from the registered nominating officer of the party. certificate from the registered nominating officer of the party. Optionally, such a candidate may also request use of a political party emblem. Optionally, such a candidate may also request use of a political party emblem. Election Agent appointment (optional) Election Agent appointment (optional) Not applicable Election agents do not apply at parish / town council elections Deposit of 500 Not applicable Not applicable Page 11

12 Parliamentary election Borough council election Parish/Town council election Delivery of Nomination Papers: 10am to 4pm on working days from Wednesday 1 April to Thursday 9 April Delivery of Nomination Papers: 10am to 4pm on working days from Monday 30 March to Thursday 9 April Delivery of Nomination Papers: 10am to 4pm on working days from Monday 30 March to Thursday 9 April Submitting nominations All the relevant nomination documents must be delivered by 4pm on Thursday 9 April Forms must be delivered in person (by the candidate, agent or a representative) and may not be posted. You are strongly advised to make an appointment to deliver forms, and advised to deliver them as early as possible in the nomination window to ensure they can be checked. Nomination forms must be delivered to: Elections Office, accessible only via the main reception (not the civic suite) Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Gibson Building Gibson Drive Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4LZ The delivery of nomination documents to a different office within the Council Offices or to any other Council office location will not be sufficient to meet this requirement and such papers would not be valid. Deposits It is a legal requirement that a 500 deposit be paid by candidates standing in the Parliamentary election (there is no such requirement for local elections). Deposits must be brought to the main reception with the nomination form, and may be paid in one of the following ways: Cash Bankers draft (payable to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council) We are unable to accept personal cheques, credit/debit cards, BACS or any other forms of payment. Uncontested elections The deadline for withdrawal from the election is 4pm on Thursday 9 April (the same time as the deadline for nominations). If after this time the number of validly nominated candidates is the same as (or less than) the number of seats to be filled, then those candidates will be declared elected. Candidates must still declare election expenses (even if nil) for such an uncontested election. Page 12

13 Part 6 Requirement of Secrecy Candidates and all other persons concerned with the elections will be required to ensure the secrecy of the ballot at all stages. Candidates and all agents will be issued with a copy of the secrecy requirements, as set out below. Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended 66 Requirement of secrecy (1) The following persons (a) every returning officer and every presiding officer or clerk attending at a polling station, (b) every candidate or election agent or polling agent so attending, (c) every person so attending by virtue of any of sections 6A to 6D of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting and shall not, except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate to any person before the poll is closed any information as to (i) the name of any elector or proxy for an elector who has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at a polling station; (ii) the number on the register of electors of any elector who, or whose proxy, has or has not applied for a ballot paper or voted at a polling station; or (iii) the official mark. (2) Every person attending at the counting of the votes shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting and shall not (a) ascertain or attempt to ascertain at the counting of the votes the number or other unique identifying mark on the back on any ballot paper; (b) communicate any information obtained at the counting of the votes as to the candidate for whom any vote is given on any particular ballot paper. (3) No person shall (a) interfere with or attempt to interfere with a voter when recording his vote; (b) otherwise obtain or attempt to obtain in a polling station information as to the candidate for whom a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted; (c) communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a polling station as to the candidate for whom a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted, or as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given to a voter at that station; (d) directly or indirectly induce a voter to display his ballot paper after he has marked it so as to make known to any person the name of the candidate for whom he has or has not voted. (4) Every person attending the proceedings in connection with the issue or the receipt of ballot papers for persons voting by post shall maintain and aid in maintaining the secrecy of the voting and shall not (a) except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate, before the poll is closed, to any person any information obtained at those proceedings as to the official mark; or (b) except for some purpose authorised by law, communicate to any person at any time any information obtained at those proceedings as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper sent to any person; or (c) except for some purpose authorised by law, attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of ballot papers the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of any ballot paper; or (d) attempt to ascertain at the proceedings in connection with the receipt of the ballot papers the candidate for whom any vote is given in any particular ballot paper or communicate any information with respect thereto obtained at those proceedings. (5) No person having undertaken to assist a blind voter to vote shall communicate at any time to any person any information as to the candidate for whom that voter intends to vote or has voted, or as to the number or other unique identifying mark on the back of the ballot paper given for the use of that voter. (6) If a person acts in contravention of this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months. Page 13

14 Part 7 Registering to vote On 10 June 2014 the way in which you register to vote changed to a process of Individual Electoral Registration (IER). It is now a legal requirement for all new electors to provide their National Insurance number and date of birth as personal identifiers when they apply to register. During the summer of 2014 we worked with the government to complete a data matching exercise for anyone already registered before 10 June Where central government or local authority records confirmed the identity of an elector, they were automatically moved to the new register without the need to provide their National Insurance number or date of birth. Where records could not be used to confirm the identity of an elector, they were invited to submit their National Insurance number and date of birth; these are carry-forward electors. Where this has been submitted and successfully matched, the elector has been moved to the new IER register. Any electors on the IER register (i.e. those passported across, electors who have provided their personal identifiers, and all new successful registrations since 10 June 2014) are able to vote by post or proxy. All carry-forward electors (those that were on the register before 10 June 2014 but whose identity could not be matched and who have not successfully submitted personal identifiers) are able to vote in person at the May 2015 elections but they cannot request a postal or proxy vote. In addition, carry-forward electors are not permitted to act as a proxy for anyone. Register to vote Individuals may apply to register to vote online at Alternatively paper forms may be requested from the Elections Office. In either case, they must have their National Insurance number and date of birth to hand. Once an application is submitted, the personal identifiers must be verified against government records. Whilst this has been taking around 24 hours, it can take up to 4 days. During that time, we are not able to set-up postal votes or proxy arrangements for electors. If you are encouraging or supporting residents in registering to vote, please: Encourage them to register online wherever possible. This saves considerable time in us receiving the application and in the amount of time needed to process it and check personal identifiers. Do not fill in the forms for them the elector must be present and aware if registering online, and must sign paper applications themselves. Try not to get involved in handling applications. If you are handed any, please return them to us immediately. Try to get all registration applications in as early as possible. The deadline to register to vote (by which time we must have received all parts of the application, including personal identifiers) is Monday 20 April Page 14

15 Part 8 Absent voting As noted in Part 7, electors must be on the IER register in order to vote by post or proxy, or in order to act as a proxy for another elector. Postal voting To apply to vote by post for the first time, or to change an existing postal or proxy vote, we must receive a valid application form by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April Any applications received after that time cannot be accepted. Forms to apply to vote by post are available from our website at or direct from Note that forms must be printed and then completed by hand. We must receive a wet ink signature on the application form for it to be considered valid. We are also able to post application forms direct to registered electors for them to sign and return to the office. Signed forms can be delivered to our offices, or scanned and sent by to voting@tmbc.gov.uk. If you are encouraging or supporting residents in applying for a postal vote, please: Do not fill in the forms for them the elector must understand what they are doing and the implications of having a postal vote, and must sign paper applications themselves. Try not to get involved in handling applications. If you are handed any, please return them to us immediately. Candidates and agents are asked to consult the guidance on handling postal vote applications included in the Electoral Commission guide. Try to get all applications in as early as possible. Proxy voting New applications to vote by proxy (except medical emergency) must reach the Elections Office by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April Signed forms can be delivered to our offices, or scanned and sent by to voting@tmbc.gov.uk. Emergency proxy voting Provisions were introduced in 2014 to allow electors to apply for an emergency proxy after the regular deadline for a proxy vote under certain circumstances. You are advised to refer to the Electoral Commission guidance in these cases. Page 15

16 Issuing of postal votes We intend to issue all postal votes for Parliamentary and local elections on Wednesday 22 April Postal votes being sent to overseas addresses will be sent before this date. Opening of postal votes Postal votes will be opened each day as follows, in the Council Chamber (Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Gibson Building; access via the Civic Suite entrance): Monday 27 April 2015, commencing at 9am. Tuesday 28 April 2015, commencing at 9am. Wednesday 29 April 2015, commencing at 9am. Thursday 30 April 2015, commencing at 9am. Friday 1 May 2015, commencing at 9am. Tuesday 5 May 2015, commencing at 9am. Wednesday 6 May 2015, commencing at 9am. On polling day, postal votes will be opened at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge. Thursday 7 May 2015, commencing at 2pm, at the Angel Centre. There is provision to attend the opening of postal ballots received. Each candidate may, if they wish, appoint one agent to attend the opening of postal votes. The appointment must be received by the Elections Office before the start of the first opening session to which the agent wishes to attend. The following may, therefore, attend the opening of postal ballots: Candidates Election Agents Agents for the opening of postal votes However, due to the limited space in the venue being used for the opening of postal votes, we may have to limit the number of attendees (including candidates, election agents and agents for the opening of postal votes) present at any one time to a maximum of one per candidate. The Deputy Returning Officer responsible for each opening session will be able to advise further. Candidates and agents planning to attend are welcome to contact the Elections Office prior to travelling to check approximate numbers received if they wish. Page 16

17 Part 9 Polling Day The hours of poll are from 7am until 10pm. However, there is provision to allow any elector queuing at a polling station at 10pm to be issued with a ballot paper, even if that goes beyond 10pm, so it is possible that some polling stations may actually close slightly later than 10pm. Polling Stations The following venues will be used for polling stations. Candidates and agents who visit polling stations must carry proof of entitlement to do so. Tonbridge & Malling Parliamentary Constituency Ward Polling district Parish area Polling station Borough Green & Long Mill TAA Borough Green Borough Green Borough Green Village Hall High Street, TN15 8BJ TAB Platt Platt Platt Memorial Hall Maidstone Road, TN15 8JJ TAC Plaxtol Plaxtol Plaxtol Memorial Hall School Lane, TN15 0QD TAD Shipbourne Shipbourne Shipbourne Village Hall Upper Green Road, TN11 9PL Cage Green Castle TBA Cage Green North (Tonbridge - no parish council) Hugh Christie Technology College White Cottage Road, TN10 4PU TBB Cage Green South (Tonbridge - no parish council) St Philip's Church Salisbury Road, TN10 4PA TCA Castle North (Tonbridge - no parish council) YMCA Centre 164 Shipbourne Road, TN10 3EJ TCB Castle South (Tonbridge - no parish council) Tonbridge Castle, Council Chamber Tonbridge Castle, TN9 1BG Downs & Mereworth TDA Addington Addington Addington Village Hall Park Road, ME19 5BQ TDB Birling Birling Birling Village Hall Snodland Road, ME19 5JG TDC Mereworth Mereworth village ward, Mereworth parish Mereworth Village Hall 149 Butchers Lane, ME18 5QD TDD Offham Offham Offham Village Hall Church Road, ME19 5NY TDE Ryarsh Ryarsh Ryarsh Village Hall Birling Road, ME19 5LS TDF Trottiscliffe Trottiscliffe Trottiscliffe Village Hall School Lane, ME19 5EB TDG West Peckham West Peckham West Peckham Village Hall Church Road, ME18 5JL East Malling TEA East Malling East Malling ward, East Malling & Larkfield parish Hadlow & East Peckham East Malling Village Hall New Road, ME19 6DD TFA East Peckham East Peckham The Curran Hall E.P Methodist Church, TN12 5AU TFB Golden Green Golden Green ward, Hadlow parish Golden Green Community Hall Three Elm Lane, TN11 TFC Hadlow Hadlow ward, Hadlow parish Hadlow Old School Maidstone Road, TN11 0EH Page 17

18 Ward Polling district Parish area Polling station Higham TGA Higham (Tonbridge - no parish council) Methodist Hall Higham Lane, TN10 4JG Hildenborough Judd THA THB Hildenborough North Hildenborough South Hildenborough Hildenborough St Johns Church Hall Foxbush, TN11 9HT Stocks Green County Primary School Leigh Road, TN11 9AE TJA Judd Central (Tonbridge - no parish council) St. Stephens Church Centre Waterloo Road, TN9 2SW TJB Judd North (Tonbridge - no parish council) Teen & Twenty Club River Lawn Road, TN9 1EP TJC Judd South (Tonbridge - no parish council) K College Brook Street, TN9 2PW Kings Hill TKA Kings Hill North East Kings Hill KH Cricket Club Pavilion 17 Tiffen Way, ME19 4GZ TKB Kings Hill South Kings Hill Kings Hill Centre 70 Gibson Drive, ME19 4LG TKC Mereworth Airfield Mereworth Airfield ward, Mereworth parish Kings Hill Centre 70 Gibson Drive, ME19 4LG Medway TLA Medway North (Tonbridge - no parish council) Fisher Hall Lockside, TN9 1EY TLB Medway South (Tonbridge - no parish council) Hillview School For Girls Brionne Gardens, TN9 2HE Trench TMA Trench (Tonbridge - no parish council) Six In One Community Centre Northwood Road, TN10 3HH Vauxhall TNA Vauxhall North (Tonbridge - no parish council) Royal British Legion Club 26 Priory Road, TN9 2AS TNB Vauxhall South (Tonbridge - no parish council) Tonbridge Grammar School Deakin Leas, TN9 2JR Wateringbury TPA Wateringbury Wateringbury Wateringbury Village Hall 147 Tonbridge Road, ME18 5BS West Malling & Leybourne TQA Leybourne Village Leybourne Leybourne Village Hall Little Market Row, ME19 5QL TQB Leybourne Chase Leybourne Leybourne Chase Community Centre Off Beadsman Crescent, TQC West Malling West Malling West Malling CP School The Old Cricket Ground, ME19 6RL Wrotham, Ightham & Stansted TRA Ightham Ightham Ightham Village Hall Sevenoaks Road, TN15 9HA TRB Stansted Stansted Stansted Village Hall Malthouse Road, TN15 7PJ TRC Wrotham Wrotham St. George's Hall High Street, TN15 7RH Page 18

19 Chatham & Aylesford Parliamentary Constituency Ward Polling district Parish area Polling station Aylesford North & Walderslade CAA Aylesford North Aylesford North ward, Aylesford parish Aylesford Community Centre 25 Forstal Road, ME20 7AU CAB Blue Bell Hill Blue Bell Hill ward, Aylesford parish Blue Bell Hill Village Hall 316 Robin Hood Lane, ME5 9QU CAC Eccles Eccles ward, Aylesford parish Church Hall, Eccles 218 Bull Lane, ME20 7HW CAD Walderslade Walderslade ward, Aylesford parish Tunbury Hall 45 Catkin Close, ME5 9HP Aylesford South CBA Aylesford South Aylesford South ward, Aylesford parish Royal British Legion Community Hall Hall Road, ME20 7NL Burham & Wouldham Ditton CCA Burham Burham Burham Old School Community Centre Rochester Road CCB Wouldham Wouldham Wouldham Village Hall High Street CDA Ditton North Ditton Cobdown Sports And Social Club Station Road, ME20 6AU CDB Ditton South Ditton Ditton Community Centre Kiln Barn Road, ME20 6AH Larkfield North CEA Larkfield North Larkfield North ward, East Malling & Larkfield parish Larkfield South CFA Larkfield South Larkfield South ward, East Malling & Larkfield parish Snodland East & Ham Hill CGA Snodland North East Snodland East & Ham Hill ward, Snodland Town council CGB Snodland South Snodland East & Ham Hill ward, Snodland Town council Snodland West & Holborough Lakes CHA Snodland West & Holborough Lakes Snodland West & Holborough Lakes ward, Snodland Town council Larkfield Village Hall New Hythe Lane, ME20 6PU Church Farm Hall 198 New Hythe Lane, ME20 6ST Devonshire Rooms Town Hall, ME6 5BQ Holmesdale Technology College Malling Road, ME6 5HS Snodland Community Centre Paddlesworth Road, ME6 5DP Page 19

20 Part 10 Verification and count The verification and count for each election will take place as soon as reasonably practical, taking into account the absolute requirement for accuracy in the result. Legislation requires us to verify ballots (that is, to confirm the number of ballot papers in each ballot box is the number recorded on the audit logs from polling stations) from each election before we can commence the first count. The first count must be the Parliamentary election, and this must commence by 2am following the close of poll (unless circumstances, such as a complex combined poll and high turnout mean the verification takes longer than anticipated). We understand that candidates in local elections will be keen to know the results of their elections. However, the need for absolute accuracy and confidence in the result of each election means we are not able to continue from the Parliamentary count straight into the local election counts. Your understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated. The verification and counts will take place as follows. Count - Parliamentary Immediately following verification, commencing around 2am. Ballots for the Tonbridge & Malling constituency to be counted at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge. Verification Immediately following close of poll, Thursday 7 May 2014, commencing around 10.15pm. Ballots for all polls in the Tonbridge & Malling constituency to be verified at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge. Ballots for polls in the Chatham & Aylesford constituency to be verified at Medway Park, Gillingham. Count - Borough Friday 8 May 2015, commencing 4pm. Ballots for all Borough wards within TMBC area to be counted at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge. In the event of any late recounts overrunning, they may be deferred until 2pm on Saturday 9 May 2015, at the Angel Centre, Tonbridge. Count Parish/Town Monday 11 May 2015, commencing 10am. Ballots for all contested parish seats within TMBC area to be counted at the Gibson Building, Kings Hill. Page 20

21 Count venues The following venues, noted on the previous page, may be used for the count. Verification and counts taking place on Thursday 7 May and Friday 8 May 2015: Angel Centre Angel Lane Tonbridge Kent TN9 1SF Parish counts taking place on Monday 11 May 2015: Committee Room access via the Civic Suite entrance Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Gibson Building Gibson Drive Kings Hill ME19 4LZ Attendance at the count Candidates are entitled to attend the verification and the count relevant to their election. That is, Borough Council candidates may attend the verification and the count for the Borough Council election for their ward; they may not attend the Parliamentary count, and vice versa. In addition their election agent, counting agents and one person chosen by them (a guest) may attend. Admission into the count will be strictly by ticket only. Page 21

22 Counting agents Candidates or their election agents must notify the elections office of the identities of a candidates guest and counting agents in order that admission tickets can be produced for them. Forms are available from the Electoral Commission website. In order to ensure tickets are distributed in time for attendance at the count, we recommend submitting these forms early. At the latest, forms must be submitted to the Elections Office by Wednesday 29 April The number of counting agents permitted per candidate will be as follows. Please note that, due to space restrictions in the count centre and to ensure equality between candidates, requests for extra agents cannot, unfortunately, be accommodated. Parliamentary candidates Borough council candidates Parish council candidates Attendance at verification Candidate Candidate s guest Election agent 1 counting agent Candidate Candidate s guest Election agent 1 counting agent Candidate Candidate s guest 1 counting agent Attendance at Parliamentary count Candidate Candidate s guest Election agent 15 counting agents No entitlement to attend (unless named as a counting agent for a Parliamentary candidate) No entitlement to attend (unless named as a counting agent for a Parliamentary candidate) Attendance at Borough council count No entitlement to attend (unless named as a counting agent for a Borough council candidate) Candidate Candidate s guest Election agent 1 counting agent No entitlement to attend (unless named as a counting agent for a Borough council candidate) Attendance at Parish / town council count No entitlement to attend (unless named as a counting agent for a Parish / Town council candidate) No entitlement to attend (unless named as a counting agent for a Parish / Town council candidate) Candidate Candidate s guest 1 counting agent It is currently expected that the Borough and Parish/Town council counts will take place at the same time in the same venue. However, should any counts be deferred, the rules above will be adhered to in terms of who may and who may not attend proceedings. Page 22

23 Part 11 Security For the safety of all electors, candidates and staff, security at the election may be provided by the Police and by a private security company. All persons authorised to attend election proceedings will be issued with a letter of authority; to prevent delays or embarrassment this should be carried by the named individual at all times. Page 23

24 Part 12 Election expenses Forms for election expenses are available from the Electoral Commission ( or ). These must be completed and submitted, within the appropriate timescales, directly to: The Elections Office Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Gibson Building Gibson Drive Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4LZ The formulae for calculating spending limits for these elections are detailed in the EC guidance, based on the number of government electors on the register for the appropriate electoral area on 1 April 2015 (for the Parliamentary election) and 1 March 2015 for local government elections. Details of the number of electors for each electoral area will be provided to candidates and election agents as soon as they are available. Please note that the Returning Officer, nor her staff, are able to provide any guidance on election expenses or the associated forms. For each candidate, the following should be submitted: Candidate declaration Election agent declaration Expenses return Returns must be made, even if nil, by the statutory deadlines. Page 24

25 Part 13 Nomination forms Electronic copies of forms are available from the Electoral Commission website. These must be printed off and delivered on paper. Note that wet ink signatures are required for all nomination forms. Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents regarding the Parliamentary election is available from Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents regarding the Borough council elections is available from Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents regarding the parish / town council elections is available from Page 25