Five out of 10 local authority by-elections to take place

There are to be five local authority by-elections across the Isle of man next month, after five of the 10 vacancies went uncontested.

It comes after several people called for residents to stand as commissioners for their local areas and represent ratepayers.

Contests will take place in Arbory and Rushen, Garff (Laxey ward), Peel, Port St Mary, and Ramsey (north and south ward).

Seats were filled uncontested in Ballaugh, Braddan, Douglas Council's south ward, and German.

The total of 10 initial vacancies became available due to retirements, resignations, and the House of Keys election in September where several former commissioners became MHKs.

In Arbory and Rushen, Mark Firth and Rachael Reilly (nee Cringle) will contest the one seat available.

While Jessica Ball, Sean Bostrom, and James Curtis are all vying for the one seat to represent the Laxey ward in Garff.

Elsewhere in Peel, Rachel O'Connor and William Otieno-Costain are looking to fill the one empty seat.

There are the most candidates vying for the two spaces in Port St Mary's authority.

They are former MHK and minister Michelle Haywood, Sarah Comish, Julie Gibney, Ann Murray, Daxaben Patel, Edwin Ryan, William Teare, and Matthew Warren.

In Ramsey's north ward, two people have stepped forward for one seat, Nikola Brindley and former MHK and minister Lawrie Hooper.

In the south ward, Gillian Corlett, Victoria Dunne, Stella Moss, and Louise Whitelegg are vying for two available seats.

There are seven people who have been automatically elected as commissioners running uncontested.

In Ballaugh, Georgina Curphey and John Kelly have filled the two vacancies, and in Braddan, former MHK hopeful Alf Caine has been appointed to the board.

Fellow MHK hopeful Livia Lenarduzzi has been appointed to Douglas Council's south war, and Kevin Wilson has become the newest member of German Commissioners.

Finally, MHK hopeful Julia Bell and Lynsey Tatar have filled the two seats available in Michael.

By-elections for the contested authorities are to take place on 3 December.

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