Senedd Elections - Information for Candidates
This page provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of a Member of the Senedd, to help Senedd election candidates to prepare for office. It explains what happens immediately following the election, and summarises the support and guidance that will be available to candidates if they are elected.
For detailed and definitive guidance for candidates, please visit the Electoral Commission website.
The role of Members of the Senedd
Members of the Senedd have an important and unique role in representing the people of Wales and holding the Welsh Government to account.
Members represent interests of the individuals living within the constituency they have been elected to represent, and have regular contact with the public through meetings, telephone calls, correspondence and surgeries.
Members meet in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to discuss issues of importance to Wales and its people. They meet together in Plenary every week, where Members ask questions of Welsh Government ministers, debate issues such as government policies and committee reports and examine Welsh laws. Opposition parties can lead debates on issues of their choice, and individual members can pursue issues that are important to them and the people who elect them.
Members also meet in Senedd committees, which examine in detail how the Welsh Government does its job, consider proposed laws, and investigate issues that matter to the people of Wales.
Qualifications to be a Member of the Senedd
To stand as a candidate at a Senedd election you must qualify for membership, by meeting requirements such as age, citizenship and residency.
You must also ensure that you are not disqualified from membership. The full range of disqualifications is complex and includes, for example, holders of certain offices, some people who have been declared bankrupt, and those convicted of certain offences.
Different rules apply in relation to whether you can be:
- a candidate in a Senedd election; or
- a Member of the Senedd.
The Electoral Commission issues full guidance for candidates and agents at Senedd elections. This includes detailed information on qualification and disqualification from candidacy and membership of the Senedd.
It is each candidate's own responsibility to ensure that they are not disqualified from standing for election or becoming a Member of the Senedd. If you are in any doubt, you must consult all relevant legislation and / or take independent legal advice.
Disqualification checks take place as part of the Electoral Commission’s nomination process for candidates. If you are elected, you will also be asked to confirm that you are not disqualified from being a Member of the Senedd before you can take your oath. This is because some positions allow you to stand as a candidate but must be resigned before you can become a Member. For example, Members of the council of a county, a county borough or a community in Wales who are elected in the Senedd election scheduled for 7 May 2026 must resign before taking their oath as
Members of the Senedd to avoid disqualification.
Welcome events
Members of the Senedd are required to take the oath of allegiance or make a corresponding affirmation as soon as is reasonably practicable after being elected. Until a Member has taken the oath or made the affirmation, they must not do anything as a Member of the Senedd other than participate in the election of the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer(s).
If you are elected, you will receive a letter containing joining instructions for the Senedd’s welcome events that will take place immediately following the election results. At these events you will be able to take your oath or make your affirmation before the Clerk of the Senedd. You will also be asked to complete some of the immediate activities necessary to enable you to get to work as soon as possible. This will include essential briefings on your new role and responsibilities, as well as practical steps such as setting you up on our payroll and ICT systems.
Once initial onboarding is complete, a full programme of training and support commences in the week following the election to cover all aspects of the role, from parliamentary skills, to supporting constituents, setting up offices, and becoming an employer.
Conduct, Rules and Guidance
The work of Members is governed by a framework of rules and guidance documents. Training and support to understand these rules and standards is a top priority in the welcome programme for new and returning Members.
Some have been updated ready for the start of the Seventh Senedd. These are set out below.
Code of Conduct for Members of the Senedd
The Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behaviour expected of all Members of the Senedd. The new Code contains strengthened rules around dignity and respect, enhanced requirements for the registration and declaration of interests, and clearer expectations of personal accountability. It also reflects the Standards Committee’s work to introduce greater independence and support into the complaints process, ensuring it is fair, accessible and trusted by the public.
Anyone who believes a Member has not met these standards can raise a complaint with the Senedd Commissioner for Standards, who operates independently to uphold and promote high standards of conduct. They advise the Senedd on the Code of Conduct and associated guidance and investigate complaints against Members.
The revised Code of Conduct was adopted by the Senedd on 18 March 2026 and will apply from the start of the Seventh Senedd.
Registration and Declaration of Interests
All Members must register and declare any financial or other interests in line with the Senedd’s Standing Orders. Revised guidance was approved by the Senedd on 18 March 2026 to introduce clearer processes for registering, declaring and recording interests in the Seventh Senedd.
The Determination on Members’ Pay, Staffing and Business Costs
The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd is the statutory body responsible for setting the pay, pensions and allowances available to Members. The Board is independent of the Senedd and its Members.
The Remuneration Board publishes a Determination which sets out in detail the resources available to Members, including the costs of recruiting staff and setting up offices. A new Determination will apply from the beginning of the Seventh Senedd.
Rules and Guidance on the Use of Senedd Resources
These rules apply to Members whenever they make use of Senedd Resources. Senedd Resources include services provided by the Senedd Commission, and resources provided under the Determination, including Support Staff. Updated rules and guidance come into force at the start of the Seventh Senedd.
Standing Orders
The Senedd’s rules and procedures are laid out in Standing Orders, in accordance with the Government of Wales Act (2006), and are enforced by the Presiding Officer who is the highest authority in the Senedd.
Details of the current rules and guidance are published on the Senedd’s website.
Member Support Staff
A Member can employ staff to help with their duties in line with the Remuneration Board's Determination. Support Staff are employed directly by each Member, so in taking on Support Staff, the Member also takes on the responsibilities of being an employer.
Advice, training and support for recruiting and managing staff is provided to Members as part of the priority training package after the election.
Commission support
The Senedd Commission is the corporate body responsible for ensuring that property, staff and services are provided to the Senedd. The Commission consists of the Llywydd (Presiding Officer) and four Members from different political groups.
Commission staff provide a range of services, including non-partisan advice, guidance and practical support to Members.
Commission services include:
- Support for Senedd Business, (Plenary and Committees);
- Member services such as continuous professional development, access to financial support, and guidance to Members as employers;
- Translation and interpretation;
- ICT services and support;
- Security, events and estate services; and
- Communications, including Outreach and Education.
Office accommodation
The Senedd's estate consists of three buildings in Cardiff Bay (the Senedd, Tŷ Hywel and the Pierhead), and an office in Llandudno Junction.
All Members of the Senedd are provided with office accommodation in Tŷ Hywel. There are also provisions within the Determination to cover the costs of setting up and running office spaces within the Member’s constituency. Members are provided with information and advice to help them choose appropriate premises and to understand the requirements for claiming associated costs.
Official languages
The Senedd is a fully bilingual organisation. Welsh and English are the official languages of the Senedd and both are treated equally. Members and staff can choose to work in either or both languages.
The Official Languages Scheme sets out what the Senedd delivers bilingually, and the language services it aims to deliver. A new scheme is adopted for each Senedd term and is based on the National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012. Support and advice is available to help Members to comply with the requirements of the Scheme and to enable Members and their staff to work in their language of choice.
Equalities
Members of the Senedd, are public office holders and employers. As such they are subject to equality legislation including specific duties under the Equality Act 2010. The Commission provides advice and guidance to Members on meeting those requirements. Support and services are also available to Members directly, to meet their own individual needs and ensure that the Senedd is an inclusive and accessible place to work.
The Senedd Commission is committed to promoting equality of opportunity both as an employer and service provider. The Senedd Commission's Diversity and Inclusion Strategy details how the Senedd Commission will promote equality, value diversity and identify and remove potential barriers to equality for our staff, Members, their staff and members of the public.
Security
The Senedd’s Security Team works with the Senedd’s on-site police unit to provide security support to Members and their staff. This includes security measures while on the Senedd estate, as well as advice, guidance and resources for managing Members’ security at home and in the community. Full information will be provided as part of the welcome events and ongoing training programme for new Members.
Separate guidance is available for candidates relating to security while campaigning – read more on the Electoral Commission’s website.
Further information
Further information and support will be provided to Members on all aspects of their role as a Member of the Senedd once they have taken the oath or made the affirmation.
For more information contact hwb@senedd.wales.