Eyebrows were raised when one candidate announced he intended to stand in two Douglas constituencies.

Once the Notice of Poll was published, eyes were drawn to whether Arwid Hall had indeed stood in both Douglas East and Douglas North. As it happened, he decided against it and is standing only in Douglas South.

However, on closer inspection, there is a candidate standing in two constituencies.

Nigel Dunmore has thrown his hat into the ring in both Garff and Ramsey.

It may come as a surprise to learn that no rules have been broken - candidates are able to stand not just in two constituencies, but in as many as they wish.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson told Isle of Man Today: ‘There is no provision in Manx legislation preventing candidates standing in more than one constituency.’

And not only can a candidate contest two elections, but they can also represent two or more constituencies if successful.

‘If the candidate were successful in both constituencies, he would represent both in Tynwald,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Of course, he would still only physically occupy one seat in Keys and Tynwald.’

It is unclear when anyone last stood in two constituencies at the same island election, and there has certainly been no MHK elected to represent two constituencies in living memory.

The situation is different in the UK, as the spokesperson explained.

‘There are historically precedents set in the UK for representing more than one constituency,’ he said, ‘but that changes under Representation of the People Act 1983 which means that can no longer happen.’

Standing in two constituencies represents something of a gamble. In simple terms, it gives a candidate two opportunities to be elected as an MHK.

But standing in two constituencies could also present a challenge, with a candidate having to divide their campaigning time between two separate areas.

Whatever voters make of the unusual situation, Mr Dunmore’s candidacy adds another intriguing element to this year’s election.