Deadline for candidates to stand in by-election

The by-election is taking place on 1 May

Nominations will close later for candidates wishing to stand in the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

The election is due to take place on 1 May after the previous MP Mike Amesbury stood down following his suspended prison sentence for assault.

It is the first by-election to take place since Labour won the general election last summer, and is being viewed as Keir Starmer's first major test.

The deadline for nomination papers to be received by the elections office at Halton Council is 16:00 BST.

What are the deadlines for voters?

If you are not already registered, the deadline to register or update your details to allow you to vote in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election is 11 April.

To register to vote by post, the deadline is 14 April.

Since May 2023, voters have had to show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person.

Anyone who does not have photo ID can apply for a free voter authority certificate, and the deadline to apply for this is 23 April.

The deadline to apply for someone to vote on your behalf by proxy if you cannot go to the polling station is also 23 April.