A unique situation has been created by the failure of a full compliment of candidates to come forward for next week?s Corporation of St. George?s election. In a move that is unprecedented in the town?s history it is to re-open the election procedure to last-minute candidates to seek a place as councillors five days after the official cut-off date for nominations.

News that only four people had put themselves forward for the five councillor roles with the Corporation was met with a degree of dismay by mayoral hopefuls E. Michael Jones and Mariea Caisey, who are now pitched in a head-to-head contest for the town?s top civic role.

Corporation secretary Nancy Hooper said there was no previous instance of election nominations closing without the requisite minimum candidates to fill all nine elected civic positions. It is now intended to re-advertise for councillor nominations with a new closing date of next Tuesday, in the hope that one or more candidates will present themselves.

Whatever happens, the election for mayor and three aldermen will go ahead as scheduled on January 26.

Former deputy mayor Ms Caisey expressed surprise that there was a lack of councillor candidates, but remained focused on her own bid for the mayorship when the town goes to the polls. She said: ?It?s going to be an exciting race. Mr. Jones and I both have the good of St. George?s at heart, so the people of St. George?s will win.?

Nominations officially closed at 1 p.m. yesterday with five candidates seeking to fill the three aldermen positions on the council and a further four entering the race for five common councillor roles. Current Aldermen Kenneth Bascome, Edward Benevides and Ross Smith, who was elected last June, hope to retain their seats. Councillors Beau Evans and Steven Hollis have entered the race in a bid to ?step-up? to a higher position.

Fellow councillors Clarence Minors and Jill Raine are seeking re-election to the same positions, as are newcomers E. Anna Perry-Smith and Rev. Erksine Simmons. Rev. Simmons finished third in last year?s by-election for an alderman to replace Louis DeSilva when he resigned to become town manager.

Mayor Mr. Jones, who called the snap election almost nine months before his three-year tenure was due to end, said: ?I?m upset that there were not five councillor candidates.?