Nominations and Guidance
The nomination period will open on Tuesday 17 March 2026 and close at 4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
Candidates may only submit nomination papers during the nomination period. Nomination papers cannot be accepted before Tuesday 17 March or after 4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
- Annotated nomination papers for Scottish Parliament Constituency Candidate
- Nomination Pack Scottish Parliament Constituency Candidate
- Withdrawal form Scottish Parliament Constituency Candidate.
All regional nomination forms are available from the Highland Council website.
It is important that you complete your nomination papers accurately and follow the rules. You can refer to the annotated nomination papers in the section above and the guidance provided by the Electoral Commission.
Guidance for Candidates and Agents at Scottish Parliamentary elections | Electoral Commission
The following video offers guidance on completing your nomination papers:
Guidance for regional individual candidates and for party list nominating officers can be found on the Highland Council website.
Your formal nomination papers must be accurate. If you make a mistake or if any of the information is wrong or missing, your nomination may not be valid.
We can help you by checking the nomination papers informally before you deliver your formal nomination.
For an informal check, please send a scanned version of your papers to elections@moray.gov.uk
You can only deliver your completed nomination papers between 10am and 4pm from Tuesday 17 March 2026 until Wednesday 1 April 2026. We cannot accept any papers after the closing date.
During the nomination period we will be taking nominations for the Moray Constituency. For the Highlands and Islands region, please contact the election team at Highland Council, and for the Banffshire and the Buchan Coast Constituency and North East Scotland Region, please contact the elections team at Aberdeenshire Council.
To lodge your nomination forms you require to make an appointment with the Depute Returning Officer. Please email elections@moray.gov.uk to arrange this.
In order for you to be validly nominated as a Constituency Candidate or Individual Regional Candidate or Regional Party List Candidate, we need your completed nomination form and, you or someone acting on your behalf must deposit the sum of £500 with the Returning Officer by no later than 4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
Our preferred method of payment is BACS and the details are available by emailing elections@moray,gov.uk or calling 01343 563334.
The deposit, made by or on behalf of any Constituency Candidate who has polled more than 5% of the total number of valid votes cast will be returned by the next working day following the declaration of result. If you do not get the necessary number of votes, your deposit will not be returned but will, instead, be paid to the Scottish Government. We will refund the funds by the next working day after the day on which the result of the election is declared. If the result is declared on Friday 8 May 2026, the refund of funds will be made on Monday 11 May 2026.
- Election timetable
- Constituency Map
- Restriction on the display of election posters
- Guidance for candidates and agents
- Code of Conduct for Campaigners
- Access to Elected Office Fund
- Electoral Management Board for Scotland: Directions for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election
- Electoral Management Board for Scotland: Count Directions Press Release
- Candidate Security Pack from Police Scotland
We will continue to publish updates as information becomes available.