A record number of candidates for a UK parliamentary election have been confirmed for the Clacton constituency by-election.

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, 13 August, to choose who will represent them in Parliament.

The Statement of Persons Nominated has been published today, setting out the full list of candidates standing in the election. This and other information about the election is available on Tendring District Council’s website at tendringdc.gov.uk/elections.

A total of34 candidates are standing in the by-election, which is believed to be a record for a parliamentary election. The previous record is understood to have been 26 candidates, set at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008.

The candidates for the Clacton constituency are:

·       Joseph 77 (Independent)

·       Adham Alkhatip (The Forward Party)

·       Count Binface (Count Binface Party)

·       Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

·       Tony Cane (Independent)

·       Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent)

·       William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party)

·       Rees Cowne (Independent)

·       Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent)

·       Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance - Real People, Real Alternative!)

·       Andy Erlam (Independent)

·       Nigel Farage (Reform UK)

·       Attieh Fard (Independent)

·       Laurence Fox (The Reclaim Party)

·       Tony Francis (Independent)

·       Robin Green (Independent)

·       Abi Hookway (Independent)

·       Howling Laud Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

·       Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent)

·       Amy Morris (Independent)

·       Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent)

·       Michael Noel O'Keeffe (Independent)

·       Martyn OBrien (Independent)

·       Nick Pelas (Independent)

·       Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK)

·       Daniel Pocock (Independent)

·       James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate)

·       Gerry Smith (Independent)

·       Kai Stephens (British Democrats)

·       John Stevens (Rejoin EU)

·       Baron Von Thunderclap (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)

·       Pamela Walford (Independent)

·       Marcus White (Everyone is God Party)

·       Marc Wilkinson (Independent)

With the list of candidates now finalised, preparations can begin for ballot papers to be prepared, printed and distributed ahead of polling day.

They will be allocated to the 51 polling stations booked across the constituency, where almost 80,000 electors will be eligible to vote.

Residents who are not already on the electoral register have until 28 July to apply to vote in time for the by-election. The deadline to apply for a postal vote or postal proxy vote is 5pm the following day, 29 July.

Applications for a proxy vote must be submitted by 5pm on 5 August. That is also the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, which can be used as photo ID at a polling station.

Ian Davidson, Acting Returning Officer for the election, encouraged residents to make sure they are ready to vote in the by-election.

“Elections are an important opportunity for residents to have their say on who represents them, and anyone who wants to vote in this by-election should take a few minutes now to check they are ready,” Mr Davidson said.

“That means making sure you are registered before the deadline, and checking that you have an accepted form of photo ID if you plan to vote at a polling station.

“If you do not have suitable ID, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, and our elections team is also available to help anyone who needs advice on registering or the voting process.

“We want everyone who is eligible to vote to be able to cast their ballot, so please do not leave it until the last minute.”

The forms of photo ID that are accepted include a UK passport or driving licence, a Blue Badge, older or disabled person’s bus pass, PASS card or Defence Identity Card – but you can see the full list at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/services/elections-and-voting.

To register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or contact the Election Registration team by email at elections@tendringdc.gov.uk or call on 01255 686575.

‍Media advisory:

Media wishing to apply for accreditation to cover the count should fill in this form by 8am on Monday, 3 August. Please note this deadline is earlier than previously advised.

Application does not guarantee entry, as we will need to manage a safe and secure election count. It would also be useful to indicate your interest by emailing communications@tendringdc.gov.uk.

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