The Clacton constituency was first created for the 2010 General Election, formed from parts of the Harwich and North Essex constituencies.
The seat was won by Douglas Carswell, who had previously been Conservative MP for Harwich.
He left the Conservatives and resigned his seat in August last year, triggering a by-election, which he won in Ukip colours with an increased majority of 12,404.
James Dwan profiles the five candidates who have declared so far to contest the Clacton seat at the General Election on May 7.
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