Manly by-election: Key facts

PROFILE

* The electorate takes up most of Sydney's northern beaches and includes the suburbs of Clontarf, Seaforth, Manly and Balgowlah

* Very safe Liberal seat with a history of independents

DEPARTING

* Premier Mike Baird sensationally quit public life in January, citing the ill health of his close family members. Once dubbed the most popular politician in the country, his approval ratings took a dive in 2016 following a string of controversial policy decisions

PAST POLLS

* Held by Mr Baird on a margin of 24.5 per cent after he ended the reign of independents and defeated David Barr in the 2007 state election

* The Liberal party received 67.99 per cent of the vote in the 2015 poll

CANDIDATES

* James Griffin - LIBERAL

Race favourite and former deputy mayor of Manly. NSW Business Chamber named him young business person of the year in 2011

* Clara Williams Roldan - THE GREENS

Young Warringah local who has worked within the Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Environment Project. Has also worked in remote Northern Territory indigenous communities and studied overseas

* Kerry Bromson - VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA PARTY

The business owner rose to fame after filming her brother Max voluntarily ending his life due to a terminal illness in 2014

* Annie Wright - CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (FRED NILE GROUP)

Music entrepreneur and filmmaker with more than 40 years experience in the entertainment industry. Director of the Aussies Against Fracking movement

* Ellie Robertson - ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY

Suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and has been a strong advocate for the rights of people with a disability

* Ron Delezio - INDEPENDENT

Founder and former CEO of the Day of Difference Foundation, which was launched after his daughter Sophie was seriously injured when a car drove into a Manly childcare centre.

* Brian Clare - INDEPENDENT

The retired commercial accountant stood for the federal electorate of Paterson in 2016 under the Rise Up Australia banner

* Kathryn Ridge - INDEPENDENT

Environmental lawyer who has worked with as executive officer of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Watch

* Victor Waterson - INDEPENDENT

Most recently stood as an Australia First Party candidate for Penrith in 2015 and campaigned heavily against the building of a mosque in the area

* W Bush - INDEPENDENT

Has lived on Sydney's northern beaches for most of his life and believes in social justice

* Harris Jackman - INDEPENDENT

* John Cook - INDEPENDENT