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Whopping cost of Clacton by-election revealed after being triggered by Farage

Acting returning officer Ian Davidson, who is overseeing the election, told us: Its a unique by-election. Its the most number of candidates thats ever been in a by-election in this country.

[Farage triggered the by-election by resigning when he was quizzed about his finances]

Farage triggered the by-election by resigning when he was quizzed about his finances(Image: Getty Images)

The Clacton by-election is expected to cost more than 250,000, it has emerged. The ballot paper alone is likely to cost four times as much as for the general election due to the whopping number of candidates listed.

Acting returning officer Ian Davidson, who is overseeing the election, told us: Its a unique by-election. Its the most number of candidates thats ever been in a by-election in this country.

Weve had to work through postal votes, get them out to residents and then the envelope being big enough for them to post it back. So thats been a logistical challenge.

[Election workers review the mega ballots]

Election workers review the mega ballots(Image: Getty Images)

Election chiefs have had to double the tables so the postal votes would fit and allowed counters to work in pairs to speed up the process and to ensure accuracy of the count.

Mr Davidson said: Were going to split up the ballots, so were going to do them in quarters because weve worked out that its much quicker. The ballot paper alone is costing four times as much as for the general election.

On the cost of the by-election, he said: Its higher than the general election for the constituency. We dont know what the exact cost will be yet but were anticipating it will be in excess of 250,000.

[At least the whole thing hasn't descended into farce]

At least the whole thing hasn't descended into farce(Image: ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock)

The government pay for most of that but not necessarily all. It takes some time to get the money back.

The eyes of the world have been on the constituency since the by-election was called, which Mr Davidson was "fantastic". Mr Davidson, who is the chief executive of Tendring District Council, said it gave him the chance to talk about the area.

He added: We have some fantastic coasts and some fantastic beaches. Weve also got some real challenges. Weve got the most deprived area in England, weve got the area with the most people with mental health challenges.

[Ballot paper costs alone are sky high]

Ballot paper costs alone are sky high(Image: Getty Images)

So its really important that we get an MP whos going to fight for us. In the next few weeks weve got the Clacton Air Show, and weve got about a quarter of a million visitors coming for that.

Whoever gets elected, I want them to take very seriously the job of working for Clacton.

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