While the party leaders are battling out for who wins the most seat in General election 2015, the absurdity of Britain’s voting system has thrown up some astounding anomalies.
Voters in Hampstead and Kilburn have the option of casting their vote for a dead candidate – Sixties pop star and Eurovision contender Ronnie Carroll.
Unfortunately Carroll, 80, died a few days after securing his place as a candidate for his independent Eurovisionary Carroll party.
His death could lead to a major electoral upset if he picks up some votes.
The constituency is a crucial marginal won by actress Glenda Jackson for Labour in the last election with a majority of just 42 votes and is the most marginal seat in the country.
Polls put Labour and the Tories neck and neck for grabbing the seat at 33% each, with the Lib Dems a nose behind with 31% of the vote.
Expat candidate
The Electoral Commission confirms that if a candidate dies during the election, their name stays on the ballot paper, but if they win, the election in that constituency is re-run.
However, any votes Carroll receives are counted and are votes the other candidates cannot claim.
Carroll was no stranger for campaigning for votes – he represented Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest twice in the Sixties, losing both times.
Meanwhile, a British expat living in historic Carcassonne in the South of France who cannot vote in the election is standing as an independent for Uxbridge, West London.
Retired civil servant James Jackson, 71, cannot vote in General Election 2015 as he has lived outside of Britain for more than 15 years.
Ridiculous rules
After that time, expats lose the right to vote.
However, expats can stand for election in any constituency, providing they can find 10 backers living in the constituency who will back their bid to become an MP.
“This is ridiculous,” said Jackson. “I do not want to be an MP but just want to use the election stage to show how the rules work and how unfair they are to expats.
“The French have MPs to represent the rights of their expats and they also retain the right to vote.
“The Tories have promised to change the rules, but for some reason have chosen not to do so before the election. I just hope they keep their promise.”
Jackson’s main opponent is London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is standing for the Conservatives.
