THE next Mayor of Christchurch could be an Independent candidate, as uncertainty surrounds the historic position.

The issue has arisen after the death of a Labour candidate in the council ward of North Highcliffe and Walkford.

Richard Wallis, who died on Tuesday, had contested the ward in the Christchurch Borough Council elections.

But, following his death, the poll has been suspended and North Highcliffe and Walkford will instead elect its borough councillors on June 18.

This means councillor Nick Geary, the Mayor-elect for 2015/2016, will not be able to be sworn in for the next year, as he will not be a councillor after Sunday night.

The annual council meeting is scheduled for May 19.

David McIntosh, chief executive of Christchurch Borough Council, said: “As the ward in which the Mayor-elect, Cllr Nick Geary, is standing will not now have an election until June 18, a decision needs to be made about who will become Mayor at the Christchurch Annual Council meeting on May 19, as constitutionally the Mayor must be elected as the first order of business at this meeting.

"An extraordinary council meeting will be called after the election where a decision will be made by members. As it needs to be called seven working days before taking place, it is likely to take place on Tuesday, May 19.”

The meeting cannot be called any earlier as the council will not know who has been elected until after the count on Saturday, a spokesperson confirmed.

A new candidate will be put forward for Mayor at the extraordinary meeting. And while it has been suggested an interim Mayor could be elected, this is unlikely to happen over concerns about 'de-valuing' the Mayoralty.

The deputy Mayor elect, pending re-election, is Independent councillor Fred Neale.

The current Mayor, Cllr Denise Jones, said her thoughts were with the family of Mr Wallis.

When asked if she would be prepared to stand for Mayor for another year, she added: "I would not want to comment on that.

"No-one has spoken to me and at this stage, I just feel extremely sorry for the family of Mr Wallis, the Labour candidate."

Any mayoral candidate has to have been re-elected and served at least four years.

The Daily Echo was unable to reach Cllr Geary for comment yesterday.