Candidates for the May local elections are being invited to submit their nomination papers before the deadline.

The election process for South Kesteven District Council begins on Monday 20 March with the publication of the Notice of Election.

Candidates then have until 4pm on Tuesday April 4 to submit completed papers - and can have them informally checked by the elections team first.

This is an opportunity for people to put themselves forward to represent their community in one of 56 seats on the Council across 30 wards, together covering all parts of the district.

There are also elections for all Parish and Town Council seats across 65 Parish and Town Councils.

Full details, advice, background information and what to do next can are online at www.southkesteven.gov.uk/elections2023

Karen Bradford, Chief Executive and Returning Officer for the district, said: "Prospective candidates can submit their nomination papers for May's election from Monday.

"Nomination packs are available from the elections team at South Kesteven District Council which explain the process, and the election timetable, as well as all matters relating to voting, campaigning and count arrangements.

"Candidates should be aware of the deadline of April 4 to hand in their papers, which need to be signed by a proposer and seconder, who must both be registered local government electors in the area where the candidate is standing for election.

"Our Elections Team can explain the application process further and answer any questions candidates may have."

Candidate nomination papers and information packs are available at the SKDC website or directly from the SKDC Elections Team by calling 01476 406080 or emailing [email protected]

Completed forms must be delivered to the office of the Returning Officer, South Kesteven House, St Peter's Hill, Grantham, NG31 6PZ. Appointments to deliver papers should be booked with the elections team by emailing [email protected].

Anyone wishing to vote in the by-election, particularly those who have recently moved or are turning 18, must register to do so at online by the end of Monday April 17th.

All voters are now required to show an accepted form of photographic identification at a polling station before they are given a ballot paper. Full details can be found online.

Find out more about accepted forms of voter ID here.

SKDC can assist those without valid photo ID by supplying a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline for this is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023. Details by calling 01476 406080 or by emailing [email protected]

Residents unable to cast their vote on May 4 can apply for a postal or proxy vote. This method does not require voter ID.