AN ELECTION has been called for the seat left vacant by the death of Newport stalwart councillor Ron Jones.

Voters in Pill are set to go to the polls on October 31 – with parties and individuals needing to make nominations for the post by October 4.

The election may not take place if only one nomination is made, but Newport Tories have already announced their candidate for the Halloween poll and Labour are understood to still be in the midst of their process to find someone to stand.

Labour’s Cllr Jones had served as a councillor for almost 50 years. The Pill ward is currently served by his party colleague GP Ibrahim Hayat. The announcement comes after Labour called the election following Cllr Jones’ death in August.

Newport Tories have already selected convenience store owner Zafar ‘Tony’ Ismail as their candidate, who has made previous unsuccessful attempts for the seat, including in 2012.

Mr Ismail said: “I want to be a champion for the community of Pill, having been raised in the area I understand what needs to be done.”

Labour party members are currently deciding who should run for the seat for the Newport group. Cllr Deb Davies, Labour’s business manager on Newport council, told the Argus there was a “rigorous proper process being undertaken by members of the party in that area”. Applications to register to vote must be with the council no later than October 16, and should be sent to Electoral Registration Officer, Room 528, Civic Centre, Godfrey Road, Newport, NP20 4UR.

Postal votes must be requested from the above address by October 16 and applications for proxy votes should be in by October 23.

Applications to vote by proxy on the grounds of physical incapacity that occurs after 5pm on October 23 must reach the electoral registration officer by 5pm on October 31.

Forms of nomination should be sent to the same address no later than noon October 4.