Residents are invited to find out more about becoming a candidate in the elections, which are being held in the BCP Council area on Thursday 4 May.

Matt Pitcher, head of Electoral Services, said: “These briefing sessions are really useful for prospective candidates ahead of the elections. They will cover key points on eligibility for those wishing to stand, completing nomination papers, campaigning, and spending. There will also be an opportunity for questions after the sessions.

“We are running separate sessions for local and parish elections as there are some differences, and people are welcome to attend both events.”

There will be four briefing sessions:

Thursday 23 February at 5.30pm – Room 14 Christchurch Library, covering BCP Council local elections.

Thursday 23 February at 6.15pm – Room 14 Christchurch Library, covering town and parish council elections.

Monday 27 February at 6pm – HMS Phoebe Room BCP Council Civic Centre, and Thursday 2 March at 5.30pm – The Guildhall Poole, covering BCP Council local elections.

To attend an in-person session, people should email candidates.agents@bcpcouncil.gov.uk stating their name, which session(s) they would like to attend and whether they would like a hard copy nomination pack.

Anyone who is unable to attend one of the in-person sessions can join the 27 February session virtually, via Microsoft Teams. Those wishing to attend this session should email candidates.agents@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to request the meeting link.

For the sessions on the BCP Council Local Elections, Democratic Services colleagues will attend to outline the role of a councillor.

Elections to Dorset Council don’t take place until 2024.