Local councillors

If you want to become a councillor, you must stand as a candidate and be elected at a local council election.

Go to council elections in Scotland – Electoral Commission for more information on:

• who can stand for election
• standing as an independent candidate
• standing as a party candidate
• spending and donations
• campaigning
• your right to attend key electoral events
• the declaration of results

Standing as a member of a political party

If you wish to stand as a candidate for a political party at the council elections, you must be a member of their local party. You must contact the local party for information on how to join their organisation and how they select members of their party to be candidates at an election.

Standing as an independent candidate

If you do not want to represent a political party, you can stand as an independent candidate. 

Nomination period

Nomination period deadline dates will be published before an election is due to take place.

After nominations have closed all validly nominated candidates will be invited to a meeting. Here they will receive more specific details about the election, such as arrangements for postal vote opening, polling day and the count.

Further information

If you are interested in more information about being a candidate, please contact us:

Telephone: 01387 260039
Email: [email protected]