NEC by-election (Scotland Female seat) FAQs
The National Executive Council of UNISON, at a meeting on 8 April 2026, agreed a timetable for the NEC by-election for the Scotland Female seat.
Full details and procedures are available:
NEC by-election – Procedures
Nomination period
Branches may make nominations for candidates in this election.
The nomination period runs from 23 April 2026 to 5pm on 4 June 2026.
Voting process
Members not on the UNISON membership system on 9 April 2026 will not be eligible to vote in this election. Only full members are entitled to vote.
Ballot paper(s) will be sent to members’ home or other notified address in writing. Members will be provided with a pre-paid envelope for the return of the ballot paper to the independent scrutineer. By law, all voting must be by post.
Ballot papers
The despatch of ballot paper(s) to individual members will begin on 16 July 2026.
The ballot pack will consist of:
- a covering letter from the union
- a booklet containing the candidates’ election addresses and a full list of nominating bodies
- ballot paper(s)
- a return envelope
Where members have previously requested materials in a special format (for example in large print), they will automatically receive the ballot pack in that format. Any additional requests should be made to the ballot helpline.
Ballot helpline
The voting helpline will be open from 23 July 2026 to 6 August 2026.
If individual members have not received a ballot paper by 23 July 2026, they should contact the ballot helpline via UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857.
Members with hearing difficulties can use textphone 0800 0 967 968.
If callers can have their membership number to hand when calling, that would help.
The latest that members can request a ballot paper is 12 noon on 6 August 2026, in order to ensure members have the opportunity to vote in time.
Please note that the ballot helpline can only deal with queries from individual members. If branches believe there is a wide-scale problem with receipt of ballot papers amongst their members (for instance if whole departments or geographical areas have not received ballot papers) then the branch should contact the Member Liaison Unit via elections@unison.co.uk.
Result and close of ballot
The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the scrutineer is 13 August 2026.
The candidates will be informed of the results on 8 September 2026, and the results will be published the same day.
Eligibility to vote
All full members who are on the union’s membership register as of 9 April 2026 will be entitled to vote in this election.
Members not on the membership register on this date will not be eligible to vote.
Returning Officer and Scrutineer
The returning officer and scrutineer for this election is Civica Election Services.
Email: CES-Unison@civica.com
Complaints
Any complaint about the conduct of this election must be received no later than 25 August 2026.
Complaints must be in writing and should enclose any supporting documentation. Complaints should be sent to Civica Election Services.
Email: CES-Unison@civica.com
Queries
Any queries on this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit.
Email: elections@unison.co.uk
Tel: 020 7121 5399