There are a number of qualifications that you have to meet before you can stand for election to the Borough Council and these are outlined below.

Information on standing as a candidate in local elections is available on the Electoral Commission website.

You should also consult the latest guidance for local Government candidates issued by the Electoral Commission.

In short, to qualify to be a candidate for a local election, the day you are nominated and on the day of the election you must satisfy the following criteria:-

• aged 18 years or over
• and either a UK or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Irish Republic, or a citizen of a member state of the EU

In addition, you must meet at least one of the following:

• on the day of nomination and on the day of the election you are and thereafter you continue to be registered as a voter in the borough
• for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of election you have occupied any land or other premises as owner or tenant in the borough
• for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of the election your principal or only place of work has been in the borough
• for the whole of twelve months before the day of nomination and the day of election you have resided in the borough

There are disqualifications, and these are briefly summarised below.  You will be unable to be elected and to serve as a Councillor if:

• you are a paid employee of Stafford Borough Council
• you are subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order
• you have within five years, before the day of the election, been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) of not less than three months without the option of a fine