A parish councillor claims he has been blocked from standing for re-election because of a blunder by Braintree Council.

Bradwell Parish Council chairman Mark Harden was not added to the list of eligible candidates for the May7poll after the deadline for nominations passed at 4pm last Thursday.

However,afurious Mr Harden insists his papers were handed in nearly three hours before the deadline, and wants the council to check its CCTV.

Mr Harden said the paperwork was hand delivered by fellow councillor Renee HockleyByam to Causeway House at 1.10pm.

He said it was clearly marked for the attention of returning officer Nicola Beach, but was told by the authority it was not received until 10am the next day.

Mr Hardensaid: “I am the serving chairman of the parish council. I do find it quite disgraceful actually. It looks like negligence. It’s not acceptable, nobody can really explain it.

“It was clearly marked for the attention of the returning officer so that was the point.

“There was nothing more we could do, other than ask for a receipt, which is a procedure I don’t think they have. I’m going to ask whether they have CCTV on reception.”

A Braintree Council spokesman said: "Individuals wishing to put themselves forward as candidates for District and Parish elections were able to do so between 9am on March 24 and 4pm on April 9.

"These are strict timelines which are set out in legislation.

"Potential candidates were required to complete a nomination form, which then had to be submitted to the Returning Officer.

“The Returning Officer had detailed processes and procedures in place to receive nominations, this included a clear protocol for the close of nominations at 4pm on April 9. 

"The nomination papers for Mr Harden were not received by the Returning Officer by the close of nominations and therefore under the legal requirements could not be accepted.

“We understand that Mr Harden is disappointed by this outcome, however the Returning Officer has no power of discretion in the implementation of electoral law.”