By-elections
Council ward by-elections
A council ward by-election is usually held after a casual vacancy occurs during the 4 year term of office of elected councillors. A casual vacancy occurs when a councillor ceases to be a councillor as a result of, for example, their death, resignation, becoming disqualified, or being no longer qualified to remain elected.
Parliamentary by-elections
A parliamentary constituency by-election is held if a vacancy occurs due to a death of the Member of Parliament (MP), the early termination of an MP's membership of the House of Commons following a successful recall petition, or an MP being disqualified or expelled from the House of Commons during the term of a Parliament.
