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Polls have opened in the Clacton by-election as Nigel Farage attempts to retain his seat in a highly unusual contest.
The Reform UK leader quit as an MP to trigger the by-election in protest at media and parliamentary scrutiny of donations from his backers.
The main Westminster parties are boycotting the by-election, dismissing it as a stunt by the Reform UK leader, but a record 34 candidates are standing.
Mr Farage wanted it to be a “people versus the establishment” showdown but, rather than Labour and Tory rivals, he is facing opponents including satirical candidate Count Binface, actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, three from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and an array of independents.
The contest is estimated to have cost taxpayers around £250,000 and the 90cm-long ballot paper has also caused logistical problems for Tendring District Council and returning officer Ian Davidson.
The size of the ballot paper means larger tables than usual will be required at the count and the result will be announced on the floor of Clacton Leisure Centre rather than on a stage due to the number of candidates who would have to fit on it.
Photographers and TV cameras covering the count have been advised by officials they will need a wide-angle lens to fit all the candidates into a single shot.
Before quitting Westminster, Mr Farage was being investigated by the parliamentary standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which he received before taking his seat in the Commons.
Under Commons rules, new MPs are required to register any gifts worth more than £300 they received in the previous 12 months, except where the gift “could not be reasonably thought by others” to relate to their political activities.
That investigation was paused when Mr Farage resigned his seat but will resume if he wins the by-election – as bookmakers have made him the firm favourite to do.
Mr Farage could also face an investigation over support provided by George Cottrell, a long-term ally.
When will we know the Clacton by-election result – and could Binface win?
Farage hopes to return to Parliament as Clacton votes on his future
