Local councillors

If you want to become a councillor, you need to stand as an election candidate and be voted in by the residents of that ward. 

Your eligibility to stand as a candidate

You can stand as a candidate if you are:

• British or a citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union
• over 18 years old
• on the electoral register for the Haringey area and your home is in Haringey (for at least the past 12 months)

Alternatively you are eligible to stand as a candidate if: 

• you work in the Haringey area (and have done for at least the past 12 months)
• you own property in the Haringey area (and have done for at least the past 12 months)

Being disqualified from standing as a candidate

You may not be able to stand as a candidate if you: 

• are bankrupt
• have a criminal conviction which has a minimum penalty of 3 months in prison
• work for Haringey Council or hold a politically restricted post with another local authority

How to become a candidate

Most people become councillors after joining a political party. You can also stand for election as an independent candidate.

Getting support to stand as candidate

Before you can be accepted as a candidate you must get:

• one person to propose your nomination
• another person to agree to second the proposal
• the support of 8 other people 

All these people must be on the electoral register, and from the ward in which you are standing. 

For more information about how to become a candidate in Haringey please contact us.

Your election agent

As a candidate you must appoint an election agent, or you can choose to act as your own election agent.

Your agent’s job is to:

• organise election campaign activities
• deal with your expenses
• make sure your campaign is conducted legally

Briefings for candidates and agents 

To be added to our candidates and agents mailing list, please email us. 

Election meeting rooms

If you're a candidate standing for election to become a local councillor, you can book an election meeting room.​​​

Polling day – the count

Every candidate is entitled to attend the counting of votes on polling day (the count), and attend the opening of postal votes. You can also appoint other people, known as polling agents, to attend the polling stations and the count.

Each ward is counted separately. If you are elected, you will receive instructions on taking up your appointment after the poll, or on the following day.