Generally, any Canadian citizen who is 18 years of age or older on election day and has lived in B.C. for at least six months may be nominated as a candidate for election as an MLA.

Typically, candidates have also been actively involved in their constituency and have already been through a political party nomination process in accordance with both their own party’s constitution and the provincial Election Act, 1996.

Candidates can run either as the official candidate of a registered political party or as an independent. Becoming a candidate requires submitting a nomination form signed by at least 75 eligible voters in their constituency and paying a $250 nomination deposit. Candidates are not required to reside in their constituency.

For more information on becoming a candidate, visit the Elections B.C. website.