IT is hardly Barrack Obama versus John McCain, but Liphook finds itself in the throes of its own election campaign just before Christmas.
Usually, vacancies on Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council are greeted with an apparent apathy by the electorate and it is often a struggle to find anyone to stand.
Now, however, five candidates have put their names forward to try to win the two seats that have suddenly become available. A by-election, which will cost local taxpayers between £3,000 and £4,000, will decide the outcome on Thursday, December 4.
The by-election has been caused by the death of David Murray in the summer and the recent resignation of Nick Everett who has moved away from the area.
The candidates include Mr Murray's widow Kay, who lives in Passfield.
Other hopefuls are old hands Barry Hope and 81-year-old Jim Walters, who both failed to win support from other councillors when they put themselves forward for co-option last year.
Mr Hope, was chairman of the council during much of its lengthy negotiations with Liphook Scouts and Guides over a lease for its headquarters at the Millennium Centre. He is married to Conservative East Hampshire district councillor Eve Hope.
Mr Hope, is one of a number of residents who live on the Sainsbury's estate seeking election. The other is Jacqueline Poole.
Ms Poole, nominated by another resident, Kathryn Clarke, lists her address as the same as Rob Evans, who was the only candidate to stand when the last vacancy arose after the resignation of John Carne.
Mr Carne, from Passfield, walked out of the behind-closed-doors session, which followed a public meeting, and resigned on April 29, after only one year on the council. He said: "I have repeatedly complained in council of the excess secrecy, interpersonal rivalries and excessive arguments about minor procedural practices.
"I volunteered my services to assist in the parish, not to be embroiled in seemingly endless petty arguments which were not of my making."
He added: "I was very disillusioned by all the personal arguments, which became intolerable for me, but wish to make it clear that I am still on good terms with all members of the parish council."
The fifth person to throw his hat into the ring is 50-year-old electrician Nick Wells, who lives on the Griggs Green side of the village in Queens Road. He has been nominated by councillor Nigel Newman, who won a landslide victory over Mr Carne in June 2006, with the slogan "It's not rocket science..it's just common sense."
Although parish councillors always stress their independence from party politics, it looks as if a Liberal Democrat faction is fighting for control, following the "very reluctant" resignation in late April due to "stress" of assistant clerk Ann Haussauer who claimed that a long-standing councillor appeared to be undermining the credibility of the parish council.
Liberal Democrat Michael Croucher was later named on the community website as the councillor whose "behaviour" had led to Mrs Haussauer resigning.
He has always refused to comment.
Polling will take place on Thursday, December 4, between the hours of 7am and 10pm at Liphook Church Centre, Portsmouth Road and The Millennium Centre, Midhurst Road.
Electors for this ward should note that if they would like to vote by post or by proxy instead of visiting their polling station they may apply to do so. Applications for postal votes must be received before 5pm on Wednesday, November 19, and applications for proxy votes must be received by 5pm Wednesday, November 26.
Application forms are available from Hannah Smith on 01730 234093 who is urging anyone to apply now and not wait for poll cards to arrive as it may be too late by then.
Dr John Tough, chairman of the Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council told The Herald: "I am very pleased to see that there are so many candidates for the two vacancies on the parish council.
"It is good to see such enthusiasm. It is now important that people turn out to vote at the by-election on December 4."