Local authority elections across the island are due to take place on Thursday, April 22.

Nomination papers must be in by March 30.

In order to be eligible for nomination a candidate must appear on a Register of Electors on the island, not necessarily in the district or ward for which they are nominated.

Each nomination requires the signatures of a proposer, a seconder and eight assentors, all of whom must be on the register of electors for the district/ward for which the candidate seeks election.

Following the election, members will serve for four years, beginning on May 1.

One of the big changes this year will be in Douglas, where the old wards have been scrapped and replaced by new ones mirroring the House of Keys constituencies. The number of councillors is being cut from 18 to 12.

There are 21 local authorities in the Isle of Man. In everywhere but Douglas, the elected representatives are commissioners rather than councillors.

In Ramsey, elections will be held to fill the 12 seats on the board - six in north ward and six in south.