There was one last minute surprise when nominations for the Isle of Man general election closed at lunchtime today.

Former Onchan MHK Geoff Cannell will contest the two seats in West Douglas with Roland Ardern-Corris, Geoff Corkish and John Shimmin.

There will be new faces in West Douglas, South Douglas and Onchan, where outgoing members have decided not to seek re-election.

But generally the line-ups of candidates are as expected, with Eddie Teare celebrating after being returned unopposed in Ayre.

Graham Bell reports (text of attached audio file):

Looking first at the single seat constituencies there are straight fights between two candidates in Castletown, Garff, Glenfaba and Michael.

In Peel, Middle and Malew & Santon there are three candidates for a single seat.

Two from four will be elected in Ramsey and North Douglas and voters in the remaining Douglas constituencies will have even more choice.

There are six candidates in East Douglas and the same number in the South of the town.

Seven candidates, including the three outgoing members, are chasing the three seats in Rushen.

It's a similar story in Onchan, although, as mentioned, there will be at least one new member.
(Picture: The legislative buildings in Douglas, from manxscenes.com).