Nominations for the election close at 4pm Friday.

There are now 14 candidates for the five available seats in next months Legislative Council election.

Mrs Shirley Ellen Corlett, who worked for the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority for 28 years was nominated by policy and reform minister Chris Thomas MHK, seconded by Tim Baker MHK and is supported by Alfred Cannan MHK and Ann Corlett MHK.

Mr Richard Furner, worked for 41 years in the life insurance industry and was nominated by infrastructure minister Ray Harmer MHK, seconded by Geoffrey Boot MHK with Clare Bettison MHK and Alfred Cannan MHK as his supporters.

The two most recent nominations join Mrs Christine Wheeler OBE, Mr Alistair Ramsay, Mrs Andrea Chambers, Mr Kevin Cartledge, Mrs Marlene Hendy, Mrs Tanya Humbles, Mrs Kerry Sharpe, Mrs Kate Lord-Brennan, Mr Juan Kelly, Ms Dawn Joughin, Councillor John Skinner and Mrs Jane Poole–Wilson MLC.

Mrs Poole–Wilson is currently the only MLC to announce she is defending her seat.

Four of the seats are for five year terms ending in 2023, while the other is only until 2020, following David Anderson MLC’s decision to stand down two years early.

The election is scheduled for a special Keys sitting on Monday March 12.

To be elected, a candidate will need the support of a majority of Members of the House of Keys voting in a public ballot on that day.

Due to the unusual nature of having five seats available, the Clerk of Tynwald’s office states: ‘The first four candidates elected will serve a term ending on 28th February 2023.

‘The fifth will serve the term ending on 29th February 2020.

‘If the fourth and fifth candidates are elected in the same voting round, the longer term will go to the candidate with more votes.’