ELECTION red tape is causing confusion in north Oxfordshire today as villagers turn up to vote in a parish poll . . . with only one real candidate.

The poll has to go ahead for legal reasons, even though one of two candidates has called on the electorate not to vote for him.

Two people put their names forward for the vacancy on Shenington and Alkerton Parish Council.

But one, Nick De Silva, dropped out after deciding to leave the village because he now works in Lincolnshire.

His decision has meant Emma Philcox became the only remaining candidate, but because Mr De Silva pulled out after the official deadline the vote still has to take place.

Cherwell District Council was unable to cancel the election and will spend around £800 on the one-candidate poll.

Ballot papers still bear the two names, and council spokesman Tony Ecclestone said there would be no official notices warning voters that one of the candidates had dropped out.

Mr Ecclestone said: "As far as the council is concerned, there are still two candidates because Mr De Silva pulled out after the deadline. This council has no authority to cancel the election."

Parish council chairman Keith Hainsworth said: "It is an unfortunate quirk of bureaucracy.

"It is not Cherwell District Council's fault. The law of the land says elections must go ahead unless candidates withdraw before the set deadline, and that did not happen in this case."

Mr De Silva has written a letter, advising villagers of his situation, which has been posted on notice boards in Shenington and nearby Alkerton, which has a combined voting population of 320.

However, the village hall in Shenington will be open until 10pm for people to cast their votes - and then an official count will take place.

Asked what would happen if villagers were unaware of Mr De Silva's withdrawal, and he won the election, Mr Ecclestone said: "I don't know. We will have to look at the legal position on that."

Check online for the "result" tomorrow.