The Scottish Parliamentary elections will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026. For information on standing as a candidate please visit the Electoral Commission’s website where you will find a range of guidance and resources for candidates and agents.
If you wish to know more about standing for election, the Constituency Returning Officer will be holding a briefing session for potential candidates on Tuesday 17 February 2026 @ 6pm via Teams – please contact the Electoral Services team election.enquiries@fife.gov.uk to note your interest and an invitation will be issued to you prior to the event.
If you wish to stand for election, you can download the relevant nomination pack, and the Constituency Returning Officers local guidance notes below:
Nomination pack – Constituency
Constituency Returning Officer’s local guidance notes (Updated 18 April 2026)
Alternatively, you can contact the Election Office election.enquiries@fife.gov.uk to request a pack to be sent to you.
The Electoral Commission have produced a short video to assist you in completing nomination papers. You can view this here:
Completing your nomination papers as a constituency candidate
The Notice of Election will be published on Monday 16 March 2026. Nominations will be accepted by the Constituency Returning Officer between 10am and 4pm on any working day from Tuesday 17 March 2026. Candidates and agents are requested to contact the Election Office to make an appointment for the delivery of nomination papers. If you do not make an appointment, we cannot guarantee that someone will be available immediately to accept your papers.
Arrangements for deposits – the preferred method of payment of all deposits is by bank transfer. Details of how to the send the funds is included in the local guidance notes.
The deadline for submission of nomination papers is 4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
The Returning Officer will hold a meeting with candidates and agents after the close of nominations on Monday 6 April 2026 @ 6pm to discuss the local arrangements for holding the poll. This meeting will be via Teams and invitations to candidates and agents will be issued after the deadline for receipt of nominations.
Accessibility
If you have any specific accessibility requirements, please contact the Electoral Services team E: election.enquiries@fife.gov.uk.
Access to Elected Office Fund
Inclusion Scotland run an Access to Elected Office fund that provides financial assistance to disabled candidates standing for election to help with the extra costs they may incur because of their disability. For more information about applying for funding visit the Inclusion Scotland website.
Security guidance for candidates and agents
Police Scotland have provided a range for information for candidates that they need to be aware of in respect of personal security:
- Candidate Security Letter
- My Digital Footprint a Guide NPSA
- Guidance for Election Candidates in Scotland 2026
- The Preparation and Use of Safer Areas to Protect High Risk Individuals
- The Blue Book – A Guide to Personal Security – NaCTSO
Police Scotland will also be hosting a number of online briefing sessions between 9 February 2026 and 15 April 2026 and all candidates are encouraged to attend:
