Candidates have been revealed for an upcoming by-election following the removal of a councillor.

Polls will open next month for Murston residents in Sittingbourne.

It comes after James Hall, who had been on the council for nine years, failed to attend meetings in the last six months.

As previously reported, he pleaded not guilty after being charged with six offences of rape, nine of indecency with a child, 12 of indecent assault, one of sexual assault and three of cruelty between July 1986 and December 2005.

A four-week hearing has been set for October 26, 2026, with the delay said to be due to long court waiting lists.

A Swale council spokesman said: “A by-election to elect a new councillor for the Murston ward is due to be held.

“This is due to Cllr James Hall being unable to attend meetings of the council for a period of six consecutive months from the date of his last meeting, which means the seat is vacant under the Local Government Act 1972.”

The authority has since released the names of those who have been nominated for the position.

They are Mariusz Bencych (Conservative), Ian Michael Bobbett (Reform), Rakel Morenike Eseku (Labour), Carrie Pollard (Swale Independents) and Alexander Stennings (Liberal Democrat).

None of the candidates have opted to reveal their address, but are all in the Swale area.

Some have already announced they would be running on social media and taken to canvassing.

In a recent post, Sittingbourne and Sheppey Labour said: “Ms Eseku is a mental health nurse who has lived in Murston for nearly 20 years.

“She is a parent governor at Borden Grammar School where two of her children are students.

“She is very well aware of the issues affecting Murston, such as anti-social behaviour, poor public transport and the non-completion of the Northern Relief Road.

“Murston, like the whole of Sittingbourne, is concerned about the shortage of GPs and other health services.”

Rakel added: “There is a feeling that Murston is sometimes forgotten.

"Having a candidate who lives in the ward is key in this election.”

Swale Independent candidate Carrie Pollard posted pictures of the flyers she would be handing out to residents.

In them, she has acknowledged parking, road conditions, fly-tipping, refuse collection and anti-social behaviour.

“To tackle these more regularly occurring problems I promise to have, what the area needs, a consistent presence,” she added.

“Someone to be regularly touring the area, listening to people’s needs and working with other agencies in finding a solution, to the best of my ability and in a timely manner.”

William Fotheringham-Bray, who stood to be the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey in the general election, also posted a picture of his party’s official candidate.

He said: “Reform UK is happy to announce that Ian Bobbett is our candidate for the Murston by-election in the Swale Borough Council.

“Boots will soon be on the ground getting the word out! Good luck Ian!”

Mariusz Bencych told KentOnline he is “pleased” to be standing as the Conservative party candidate.

He said: “As a local resident, father and community volunteer, I am keen to tackle local issues in Murston, which Labour and the Swale Independents have failed to address since 2019.

“This includes anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and the waste collection service.

“I hope the residents will vote for me to become their new councillor.”

Alexander Stennings, who is representing the Liberal Democrats, also addressed the prominent issue.

“On my previous ward walks, I came across instances of fly-tipping,” he explained.

“I have come to understand that residents have complained but have learnt that they are not always dealt with in a timely manner, if at all.

“If I am elected as a Murston councillor I will take up this issue with the council to ensure resident's voices are heard and this problem is dealt with quickly and efficiently.”

Polling stations will be open for residents on Thursday, November 21, between 7am and 10pm.

More information is set to be released nearer the time.