The period for receipt of nomination papers commences at 10 am on Saturday, 11 May 2024 until 12 noon on Saturday, 18 May 2024.

A candidate must use the prescribed nomination paper.

Nomination papers are submitted in person to the Returning Officer by appointment, by the candidate or their proposer during the period for nominations from 10am Saturday 11 May until noon Saturday 18 May 2024.

Arrangements for this purpose will be made by the Returning Officer.

It is essential that all the required documentation / photos etc are submitted by the deadline date/time.

A nomination paper from a candidate of a registered political party must have a certificate of political affiliation attached.

If no certificate is attached, one or other of the following procedures must be complied with before the expiration of the time for receiving nominations –

(i) the completion of statutory declarations by 15 assenters registered as local government electors in the relevant local electoral area which must be witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths, a Peace Commissioner, a Notary Public, a member of the Garda Síochána or an official of the registration authority,

or

(ii) the candidate, or someone on his or her behalf, lodging a deposit of €100 with the local returning officer.

 

Photographs

The specific requirements on candidates for the provision of photographs are as follows:

• A photograph shall be delivered with the nomination paper to the Returning Officer in digitised format along with two identical printed copies (passport size – 35mm x 45mm).
• The photograph must be of good quality and in colour showing the candidate’s full face, head and shoulders only, on a light background (any colour) and taken to a professional standard.
• The photograph must have been taken not more than twelve months prior to polling day.
• Each copy of the printed photograph must have the candidate’s name clearly shown on the back.

 

The returning officer must rule on the validity of a nomination paper within one hour of its presentation and may rule that it is invalid if:

• the nomination paper of any candidate is not properly made out or signed; or
• in the case of a nomination paper of a candidate who is not a member of a political party and who has opted to be nominated by way of assentors, the nomination is not assented to in the manner required

 

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has produced a booklet “How Members of Local Authorities are Elected” . Candidates are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with this booklet.