Countdown to the election

The election will take place on Thursday, May 5. Nominations close on April 7 and will be published by April 8.

The count is expected to take place on Friday, May 6, in Dover, as it did in 2012.

All candidates must pay a £5,000 deposit. The result is decided under a supplementary vote system. Where there are more than two candidates, voters can opt for a first and second choice.

If a candidate obtains more than 50% of first choice votes, they will win.

If no one obtains more than 50%, all candidates except for those in first and second place are eliminated.

Any second preference votes are then added to their first preference votes. The candidate with the most votes is elected.