NEC by-election 2026 (East Midlands reserved seat)
Results of the 2026 NEC by-election (East Midlands reserved seat)
Results
The results of the 2026 NEC by-election (East Midlands reserved seat) are now available.
The newly elected member is:
Sara Evans
This member will take office with immediate effect. The term of office will run until the end of national delegate conference 2027.
A full copy of the scrutineer’s report is available to members of UNISON on request.
To obtain a copy, telephone UNISONdirect on 0800 0 857 857. Lines are open 6am – midnight Monday – Friday and 9am – 4pm on Saturdays.
For further information relating to the ballot please see the FAQs.
FAQs
NEC by-election FAQs
The national executive council’s development and organisation committee of UNISON, at a meeting on 19 November 2025, agreed a timetable for the election.
Full details and procedures are available: NEC by-election - procedures
Branches may make nominations for candidates in this election. The nomination period runs from 18 December 2025 to 5pm on 28 January 2026.
Members not on the UNISON membership system on 11 December 2025 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.
The despatch of ballot paper(s) to individual members will begin on 11 March 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.
If individual members have not received a paper by 18 March 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 noon on 8 April 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 [email protected]
The deadline for receipt of ballot papers by the scrutineer is 5pm, 15 April 2026.
The result of this election will be announced on 6 May 2026.
All full members who are on the union’s membership register as of 11 December 2025, will be entitled to vote in this election.
Members not on the membership register on 11 December 2025 will not be able to vote.
The returning officer and scrutineer for this election is Civica Election Services.
Email: [email protected]
Any complaint about the conduct of this election must be received no later than 5pm, 22 April 2026. Complaints must be in writing and should enclose any supporting documentation. Complaints should be sent to Civica Election Services.
Email: [email protected]
Any queries on this information or this election should be directed to the Member Liaison Unit.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 7121 5399
Activist Q&A
The by-election for the NEC East Midlands reserved seat of our union is underway. What is happening and why is voter turnout important?
Here’s our guide to everything you need to know.
The national executive council (NEC) is elected by our members every two years. The election timetable and procedures were agreed by the national executive council’s development and organisation committee of UNISON on 19 November
2025.
All full members who were on the union’s membership register as of 11 December 2025, will be entitled to vote in this election.
The candidate application period runs from 18 December 2025 to 5pm on 28 January 2026.
The nominating period for branches runs from 18 December 2025 to 5pm on 28 January 2026.
The member ballot will open on 11 March 2026 and closes on 15 April 2026.
The results will be announced on 6 May 2026.
The Member Liaison Unit runs the election. Civica Election Services (CES) is the returning officer and the independent scrutineer.
UNISON is run for and by its members through its democratic and lay structures.
All of our elections are important, as they allow the union to function in the best interests of our members.
The NEC you elect will make important decisions about the future of our union, so it’s so important that as many members as possible have their say.
What can I do?
As our activists, you have a role in encouraging participation in our elections – this is not about supporting particular candidates, but providing general information about the ballot, when it opens, why it matters and encouraging members to vote.
The more people who vote, the better for our democracy, and the better the union can serve our members.
Please note, it’s not about promoting one or more candidates. There are strict rules to ensure that UNISON branches or other nominating bodies don’t use any funds, property or resources to campaign for any particular candidate in the election.
The exception to this is if a nominating body has nominated a candidate. In this case, you can advise your members of this nomination using up to 100 words via your usual channel(s) of communications.
Check the election procedures page if you’re going to do this.
As usual, there is a ballot helpline. The helpline will open on 18 March 2026.
Phone: 0800 0 857 857.
Text phone: 0800 0 967 968.
Other information:
Read the election procedures and timings.
Or contact the member liaison unit on 020 7121 5399 or email: [email protected].
Voting packs will be sent to members’ homes direct from CES.
If you’ve not received yours by 18 March 2026, then contact UNISONdirect on the number above.
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