Local Council Elections Timetable Polling Day Thursday 18 May 2023

Event Deadline (If no time specified the deadline is midnight on that day)
Publication of Notice of Election by the Deputy Returning Officer 11 April 2023
Delivery of nomination papers 10.00am to 4.00pm on: 12 April, 13 April 14 April, 17 April, 18 April, 19 April, 20 April, 21 April and from 10.00am to 1.00pm on 24 April
Delivery of notices of withdrawals of candidature 10.00am to 4.00pm on: 12 April, 13 April, 14 April, 17 April, 18 April, 19 April, 20 April, 21 April and from 10.00am to 1.00pm on 24 April
Receipt of notice of appointment of election agents 1.00pm on 24 April
The making of objections to nomination papers 10.00am to 4.00pm on: 12 April, 13 April, 14 April, 17 April, 18 April, 19 April, 20 April, 21 April and from 10.00am to 2.00pm on 24 April
Publication by the Deputy Returning Officer of statement of persons nominated: a) If no objections to nomination papers made b) If any objections to nomination papers are made, after they have been disposed of but no later than 24 hours after the deadline for delivery of nomination papers 6.00pm on 24 April 2023 or as soon as practicable thereafter 1.00pm on 25 April 2023
Publication by the Deputy Returning Officer of notice of names and addresses of Election Agents 6.00pm on 24 April 2023 or as soon as practicable thereafter
Receipt at Electoral Office for NI of postal and proxy vote applications 5.00pm on 26 April 2023
Receipt at Electoral Office for NI of late registration applications 28 April 2023
Receipt at Electoral Office for NI of additional information in relation to late registration applications 9 May 2023
Receipt at Electoral Office for NI of late postal and proxy vote applications 5.00pm on 10 May 2023
Publication by the Electoral Office for NI of notices of alteration as a result of late registration 11 May 2023
Receipt by the Deputy Returning Officer of notice of appointment of polling and counting agents 5.00pm on 11 May 2023
Receipt at Electoral Office for NI of spoilt postal votes for replacement 5.00pm on 17 May 2023
Polling day 7.00am to 10.00pm Thursday 18 May 2023
Alterations to the register due to clerical error 7.00pm on 18 May 2023
Verification of ‘unused’ ballot papers As soon as practicable after 10.00pm on Thursday 18 May 2023 (completed overnight)
Verification of ‘used’ ballot papers (the opening of ballot boxes) and the Count 19 May 2023

Note: the above timetable excludes Saturdays (with the exception of the count), Sundays and the following Bank Holidays with exception of the deadline for receipt of additional information in relation to late registration applications which is computed in accordance with regulation 8 of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2008

  • May Day 1 May 2023
  • King’s Coronation Bank Holiday 8 May 2023

After the Declaration of Result

Receipt by candidates/agents of claims for election expenses 21 calendar days after the result of the election is declared
Payment by candidates/agents of claims for election expenses 28 calendar days after the result of the election is declared
Receipt by the Returning Officer of returns and declarations of election expenses by election agent 35 calendar days after the result of the election is declared
Receipt by the Returning Officer of candidates’ declarations of election expenses 7 working days after receipt of the agents declaration and return (or at the same time that the election agent delivers the return) (If the candidate is outside the United Kingdom when the agent’s return is delivered, the declaration must be delivered 14 calendar days after their return)
Publication by the Deputy Returning Officer in two or more newspapers circulating in the District Electoral Area for which the election was held, a summary of the returns accompanied by a notice of the time and place at which the return and declarations (including the accompanying documents) can be inspected 10 calendar days after receipt of the election expenses returns
Inspection of returns and declarations of election expenses During the period of 12 months from the date of publication by the Deputy Returning Officer of the time and place for inspection.